Is Teeth Cleaning Without Anesthesia Ok for Dogs?
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You’ve seen the signs for “teeth cleaning without anesthesia” on pet store bulletin boards and in dog groomers’ windows. Well, that’s fine for humans but not for dogs who don’t know how to spit instead of swallow and who refuse to sit still for dental x-rays. Dog dental care is one circumstance under which a muzzle won’t work. It’s particularly important for small dogs to be checked regularly because their teeth are close together and bacteria is easily trapped in the crevices, creating periodontal disease. Groomers will scrape plaque off the teeth but that’s only a cosmetic fix and hides the deeper problems of under-the-gum bacteria. Saving money in the short term often means spending more in the long run — not to mention creating dog distress.