Nothing can brighten a day quite like a pet’s wide, toothy grin. To keep it healthy and shining, it’s important pets have a comprehensive care routine both at home and here with our team. Call us at 416-481-1127 to find out more about our dental care services.
How often should I brush my pet’s teeth?
Ideally, pets should have their teeth brushed every day. This may seem incredibly intimidating (and impossible, if you have a particularly fussy pet) but fear not, we’re here to help! During an in-clinic visit, we can walk you through some effective techniques and recommend products you can use to make the whole process easier. For example, flavoured toothpaste and medicated treats can do wonders for your pet’s at-home dental care routine. You can start from brushing their teeth twice or three times per week, and move up to daily brushing when both you and your pet feel comfortable.
How often should pets get their teeth cleaned?
We suggest pets come in for a professional dental checkup and cleaning at least once per year. This can help us detect any problems early on and prevent them from worsening. For example, plaque buildup can lead to periodontal disease, which has many complications like tooth loss, chronic pain and gum erosion.
Do pets need sedation during dental cleanings?
Yes, the safest way to clean pets’ teeth is for them to be placed under anesthesia. It can be very stressful for pets to have various tools inserted in their mouth. Having them unconscious will prevent unnecessary emotional trauma, as well as pain and discomfort. Proper dental cleanings involve cleaning underneath the gum line and performing emergency extractions if needed. For this reason, anesthesia is a humane and effective option. Please be wary of service providers that offer “anesthesia-free” or “cosmetic” cleanings. These procedures can mask underlying problems and only clean the surface of your pet’s teeth. Therefore, your pet’s teeth may look clean, but underneath the gum line, they could be suffering from infections, plaque buildup and more.
