I assume that most of you are talking about cleanings done under anesthesia? If so, you may want to try anesthesia-free cleanings. I have my dogs’ dentals done (anesthesia-free) at Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital. I never would have believed that it could be done (for years I always had their dentals done under anesthesia before I moved here).
But my Vet at Buffalo Ridge recommended that I give the anesthesia-free cleaning a try. I’ve had it done once on each one of my dogs and they both did very well with it and their teeth appeared to be just as clean as when I had it done under anesthesia.
The dental hygienists that do the work travel around to different Vet’s office, so you have to book an appointment several months out. The way it works at Buffalo Ridge, the Vet does an oral exam (usually during their normal annual exam) and if they don’t see any obvious problems (teeth needing extractions), then they get you on the schedule for anesthesia-free cleanings. Then, if during the cleaning, the hygienist cannot complete the dental, either due to doggie discomfort, or if they see a tooth that needs an extraction, they stop the work at that time and allow you to schedule a cleaning under anesthesia, and there is no charge (for what has been done up to that point). I don’t have easy access to their records right now so I can’t tell you the cost, but I know that it was less expensive than a dental under anesthesia and, most importantly, it is a safer option. So you may want to check with your Vet to see if they provide this service, or call Buffalo Ridge to see what their prices are.
And for those who pooh-pooh dental cleanings for dogs...poor dental health (just like with humans) not only results in stinky breath, but it can be painful and possibly precipitate serious health conditions (such as heart disease). For whatever reason, some breeds or individual dogs are more susceptible to plaque build up and other dental problems than others. As Lightworker pointed out, a raw diet is the best option for preventing plaque and tartar build-up, but that’s a whole other topic.
I’ve tried various plaque prevention products over the years without much success. The best thing is daily brushing .... but ...
