Kate Tween

Almost 85% of dogs over 3 years old have periodontal disease, says veterinarian Dr. Debra Primovic. When dog owners notice their pup’s bad breath, irritated bleeding gums, or missing teeth, they could be seeing the signs of gingivitis or periodontitis.

Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is very important to good oral health and comfort as well as overall health. To prevent periodontal disease in dogs, veterinarians recommend certain types of diet and chewies, regular brushing, regular professional dental cleanings and, in some cases a porphyromonas dental vaccine may be suggested. Also it's important to have hight quality metal bowls for dogs.Most doggy dentals are done under anesthesia but, with risks associated with anesthesia a concern, why aren’t anesthesia-free cleanings more popular?

Advantages of Anesthesia-Free Dog Dental Cleanings
Many dog owners worry about the risks of putting their pet under anesthesia just for a dental cleaning. Veterinarians rarely perform non-anesthetic dental cleanings but a pet dental practitioner may perform the procedure without anesthesia, often in the convenience of the pet’s own home and charge only a fraction of what a regular dental done by a veterinarian would cost. The practitioner removes plaque and tartar and polishes the teeth to smooth out the enamel and may be able to keep the teeth clean for some time, as long as the dog does not already have periodontal disease.

Geriatric dogs and dogs with certain ailments who may not be candidates for general anesthesia may benefit from anesthesia-free cleanings. When veterinarians perform anesthesia-free cleanings, it is usually for special medical reasons where the benefits outweigh the risks.

Disadvantages of Anesthesia-Free Dog Dental Cleanings
Risks of anesthesia-free dentals can include serious injury of delicate oral tissues by sharp dental instruments on a squirming animal. Many pets will not tolerate a thorough cleaning within the gingival pockets underneath the gum line and between and behind teeth where most infection occurs, rendering much of anesthesia-free cleaning to be only cosmetic.

Other risks include accidental aspiration without the protection of a cuffed endotracheal tube used in inhalation anesthesia. Should it become apparent that an extraction is necessary, this also can not be performed without the use of anesthesia.
The American Veterinary Dental College points out that in the United States and Canada, only licensed veterinarians can legally practice veterinary medicine, which includes surgery, medicine, and dentistry. With no regulation or certification of pet dental practitioners, pet owners must be very cautious and very careful in choosing a non-professional to take care of their dog’s dental health. Infection can be of particular concern, especially if it spreads into the bloodstream during a procedure. Practitioners are not able to prescribe medications and may not always recognize when a dog should be referred for veterinary treatment.

Safety of Anesthesia for Dog Dental Cleanings
Anesthesia is never without some risk, however the American Veterinary Dental College maintains that pre-anesthetic assessment along with modern anesthesia and monitoring equipment make professional dental cleanings much safer and more beneficial. Veterinarians will occasionally perform non-anesthetic dentals but when they do it is for special medical reasons and only if the advantages are greater than the risks.