Veterinarians Share Important Warning About Teeth Cleaning That All Dog Lovers Need To Know About

When it comes to taking care of our pets, we always want to do what’s in the best interest of their health. But sometimes we can be unaware that the care we’re giving is ineffective. That’s what one dog owner discovered after the teeth cleaning they had been getting their dog hid the fact that their dog’s teeth were not being properly cleaned.

Veterinary dentists in Arizona wants to help spread the word of the dangers of non-anesthetic teeth cleaning. This is the practice of cleaning a dog’s teeth without putting the dog under anesthesia and involves scaling (scraping with an instrument) the plaque from the visible part of the dog’s teeth.

Veterinarians often refer to the practice of scaling the teeth without anesthesia as non-anesthesia dental scaling (NAD or NADS). However, the term “cleaning” is a bit misleading, as pet parents may have the impression that their dog has received proper dental care. This is not the case. This type of procedure will not clean beneath the gumline of the teeth where the bacteria that causes periodontal disease occurs. Without cleaning underneath the gumline, the bacteria can multiply and damage the roots of the teeth.

“This dog had a non anesthetic teeth cleaning for 5 years. The teeth looked very clean,” Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists revealed on Facebook. “The dog came to our clinic when the teeth were noticed to be mobile. After full mouth radiographs, the real problem was revealed…and it was below the gum-line!!! Poor dog had 18 teeth extracted. Look at all that tartar on the root. This demonstrates the pitfalls of non anesthetic teeth cleanings. Without being able to clean below the gum-line or take dental X-rays, cleaning just the crown is useless. Spread the word!”

To help keep your dog’s teeth white and clean between visits to the dentist, learn how to brush your dog’s teeth. It will certainly help prevent built up of plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth. And please share this information to help dog lovers know how to properly maintain their dog’s health!



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65 thoughts on “Veterinarians Share Important Warning About Teeth Cleaning That All Dog Lovers Need To Know About

  1. I brush Beau, Jolie & Bella’s teeth every morning…just part of the routine. They come running into the bathroom after they finish their breakfast and wait for me to brush their teeth. I feel guilty if I don’t do it for them!

  2. Lol, this article make it seem like an owner can’t adequately maintain their dogs teeth without having dentals at the vet. FALSE …..I’ve always scaled and brushed all of my Dobes teeth. Never had an ‘under anesthesia’ cleaning from the vet in 20yrs. Also never had a dog lose a tooth. My vet constantly commends the condition of my dogs teeth and says he wishes more of his clients did the same.

  3. Oh wow. Well I guess it’s for her own good. We had copper done but that was it. I remember last time I had minnies teeth cleaned, they offered to do the microchip since she would already be put under but I said no. Of course it wasn’t free either

  4. We feed our golden whole raw carrots everyday and brush with a doggy toothpaste about once a week. And that’s it. He’s nearly 11 and vet says his teeth are amazing. Only eats dry kibble and carrots and has the occasional fruits and veggies as treats!

  5. Sherene Asnasyous I took Lucy to have her teeth cleaned from a lady that did this for show dogs and she did an amazing job. I think the key is you need to be sure to let your vet know that you had it done so they do more than glance at your dogs teeth for whiteness.

  6. We kept our german sheppard outside, never allowed him to come inside. We built a house outside for him so he won’t be exposed to the weather. We also never cleaned his teeth every in his life and he dies peacefully without any signs of pain and his teeth were even nicer than mine … not sure what this obsession with cleaning the dogs teeth is about. Another chemicals (toothpaste) being pumped into their animal bodies along with chemicals in their food .. it’s just sad.

  7. My 3 dogs go to Banfield Vets in Petsmart
    They see their doggie dentist once a year for cleaning. They are anesthetized for this procedure. My 10 year old Lab has all her beautiful white teeth and a very healthy mouth. My son 4 year old Lab and 3 year old Chihuahua are also dental patients. I go to the dentist; don’t you?

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