Cleaning and caring for your dog’s teeth


A healthy adult dog has 42 teeth in its jaw, 22 of which should be in the upper jaw and 20 in the lower jaw. Since ancient times it was believed that dog teeth are very strong and indestructible, but in modern veterinary medicine this is becoming a myth.

Dogs and their owners are increasingly faced with diseases of the teeth, gums and mouth. The plaque and stones that accumulate on the teeth damage not only the teeth themselves, but also the gums, causing them to become inflamed.

Due to oral diseases and dental damage, the comfortable life and good nutrition of a pet can be compromised, so cleaning and hygiene of dogs’ teeth in modern veterinary medicine is essential.

Why is cleaning your dog’s teeth necessary?

Owners are often worried about cleaning their dog’s teeth only when the pet’s nutrition worsens and there is bad breath or simply bad breath. However, it is already too late and the plaque on the dog’s teeth is already in an advanced stage and the teeth themselves are damaged.

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Tartar in dogs can cause dental and gum disease. These diseases cause great pain and discomfort to the animal: the dog may become lazy, angry, may refuse to eat or play. Malnutrition can damage internal organs.

Although some dog breeders still think that unpleasant odor coming from the jaws is natural, this is not true. Bad breath in dogs is usually due to plaque buildup on the crowns and necks of the teeth or gastrointestinal problems, so it should not be ignored.

Cleaning the dog’s teeth at home and cleaning the dog’s tartar in a veterinary clinic can become a guarantee of healthy teeth and gums.

How is dog teeth cleaning performed in the clinic?

To prevent gum disease and tooth repair in dogs, ask your doctor to evaluate the condition of your pet’s teeth and mouth every time you visit the veterinary clinic. This will make it easier to evaluate the rate of dental plaque formation and the dog’s teeth cleaning plan at home and in a clinic with special equipment.

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Dog teeth cleaning is also known as dental restoration. During such a procedure, not only the health of the teeth and gums is ensured, but also their treatment.

Dental plaque cleaning for dogs is performed in a veterinary clinic under general anesthesia. Anesthesia is applied to protect the animal’s psyche and ensure the safety of the procedure. During anesthesia, the animal does not feel any pain when cleaning dental plaque, which helps to evaluate not only the external condition of the tooth, but also the degree of caries and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

Before teeth cleaning with anesthesia, it is very important that dogs are not fed for at least 12 hours before the procedure and blood tests are always recommended at the veterinary clinic before the procedure itselfwhich helped ensure the overall health of the animal.

In the veterinary clinic, dogs’ dental plaque is cleaned with an ultrasonic machine – a scaler. Plaque on dogs’ teeth is removed not only from the crown of the tooth, but also from the body of the tooth, which is hidden under the gums. During dental plaque cleaning, all other dental changes are also evaluated and repaired: holes, cracks, damage to the enamel, dental canals.

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Since dental plaque and calculi in dogs often hide under the gums on the necks of the teeth, teeth cleaning without anesthesia is not recommended for dogs. The sound made by the ultrasound machine can scare dogs, and cleaning dogs’ teeth without anesthesia can be both physically and emotionally traumatizing for a dog. Cleaning of plaque only by a man without anesthesia does not protect teeth from periodontosis and other diseases of the oral cavity.

dog dental care

Dental care for dogs at home

Often, after removing tartar, veterinary dentists recommend using special products at home to extend the interval between teeth cleaning procedures. There is a wide variety of products for cleaning dogs’ teeth, so owners and a specialist can choose the most suitable ones based on the size and lifestyle of the animal:

  • Dog toothpaste and toothbrush. Pastes intended for dogs can have a wide variety of flavors, so in most cases dogs cannot resist brushing their teeth. Veterinarians and dentists recommend choosing special, very soft and small toothbrushes to ensure thorough cleaning and minimal damage to the gums.
  • Teeth cleaning wipes. If the dog’s jaw cavity is not very large or the arrangement of the teeth is not correct, dental cleaning wipes are very useful, their operating principle is to reduce the reproduction of bad oral bacteria on the tooth enamel.
  • Liquid for the prevention of dental plaque in dogs. A special liquid can be used to pour into the water. This type of preparation also reduces the growth of bad oral bacteria on tooth enamel.
  • Tooth gel. Such a dental hygiene product is often the most convenient for the owner, since it only needs to be applied to the teeth without cleaning them.
  • Special chews. Veterinarians recommend that dogs use special chews to prevent dental plaque, which help remove plaque naturally and prevent plaque formation.

Tooth loss in dogs

Puppies change their teeth at the age of 3-6 months, so tooth loss is a completely natural process. If you notice that your adult dog’s teeth are falling out, contact a veterinary dentist as soon as possible.

Tooth loss in adult dogs is often associated with two causes: mechanical damage to the teeth or periodontal disease. If your adult dog’s teeth fall out, you need to consult a veterinarian, who will not only determine the causes of tooth loss, but also remove damaged teeth.

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If you notice that your young pet (9-12 months) has teeth growing in two rows, contact your veterinarian. In a common case, if a dog grows permanent teeth, but baby teeth remain, baby teeth in dogs need to be surgically removed. Baby teeth that are not removed in time can cause uneven growth of permanent teeth and complicate dental care and the dog’s future quality of life.

What is the cost of cleaning your dog’s teeth?

The price of dog teeth cleaning is calculated individually based on the needs of each dog and its owner. The price of dog teeth cleaning at the Begemots veterinary clinic varies from 30 to 60 euros WITHOUT drugs used during and after the procedure. The cost of teeth cleaning for dogs can vary depending on the amount of plaque, the level of gum damage, and the extent of damage to the teeth themselves.

All additional procedures (root canal management, restoration of a broken tooth, management of periodontal damage, number of loose teeth, etc.) have an additional cost. The price of dog teeth cleaning may also change due to the procedures performed during dog teeth cleaning, such as blood tests, inhalation anesthesia.

How do I register for canine oral procedures?

The Begemoto Veterinary Medical Center offers various oral and dental treatments. Dental and veterinary dental services include the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dental diseases and problems. At the Begemots veterinary clinic, veterinarians and dentists perform:

  • Professional dental plaque removal and hygiene for dogs
  • Therapeutic treatment of the oral cavity
  • Aesthetic sealing to restore cracked parts of the teeth
  • Extraction of milk and permanent teeth for dogs
  • Teeth shortening for rodents
  • Endodontic root treatment
  • Bite correction
  • Plastic and fracture surgery of the jaw

We invite you to register at our clinic by contacting our team.

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