Image Source: Pixabay.com
Imagine if you had to go months without brushing your teeth or
even for a couple of weeks. The implications will be severe as it
has a significant impact on your life. Similarly, the teeth of
your dog are no different. The majority of dog owners are unaware
of the importance of regular teeth hygiene for their four-legged
friends. The American Veterinary Dental College say that most
dogs have some form of periodontal disease by the time they are
three years old.As dogs have been domesticated, their lose their
natural source of teeth cleaning and dental floss, which is the
food they hunt. Even though dried and canned foods are high in
nutrition, they don not provide the same level of dental hygiene
as natural food.
Importance of teeth hygiene routine
Having regular teeth cleaning and checkup sessions can have a
positive effect on your dogโs life in the following ways.
-
Bacteria removalBy taking your dog regularly
for dental cleanings and checkups, the vet will be able to
remove bacteria and plaque that are present on the teeth. Due
to bacteria and plaque buildup, it will eventually enter the
blood stream of your canine friend. This will damage important
organs such as the heart, kidney, and the liver. It will also
damage the surrounding tissue as the bacteria releases toxins
into the gum. If left untreated, the immune system will get
activated and fight the bacteria. This will result in the
tissues surrounding the gums to get damaged due to the white
blood cells. Severe plaque buildup will severely affect the dog
as the immune system gets damaged in the process.
-
Easily detect dental problemsEven though it
may look like your dogโs teeth are healthy, it might be the
opposite. Suppose your canine is suffering from tooth pain,
there is no way of knowing what is wrong with your dog. It is
extremely good at hiding the pain from its owners. The vet will
also look at the surrounding gums to assess the overall dental
health of the dog. If there are other problems in the teeth of
the dog, the vet will identify and deal with it before it
becomes a major health concern.
-
Longer life spanDid you know that good teeth
hygiene is important in factors affecting lifespan? In fact,
the overall health youโre your dog will increase by a good
margin if you take care of its teeth. Over time, as the dog
gets older, it will need extra dental hygiene requirements such
as dealing with tooth wear and loss. If you are able to
maintain your dogโs teeth on a regular basis, it will be able
to live for much longer than expected.
Remember, it is extremely important that you brush the teeth of
your dog on a regular basis. If you have any questions about
teeth hygiene, leave a comment below to get it clarified.
How Much Will it Cost to Clean Your Dogโs Teeth?
As a pet owner, youโve obviously heard about the importance of
having your dogโs teeth cleaned. However, if you havenโt had it
done before, youโre obviously concerned about the cost involved.
Well, thatโs why weโve provided you with this guide of sorts. Go
through it to get an idea of how much you would likely spend on
cleaning your dogโs teeth.Also, an important word of advice would
be is that you shouldn't count the cost when it comes to cleaning
your dogโs teeth. Oral and dental health plays is very extremely
important for your dogโs health. You could be helping your dog
live a long and healthy life by paying attention to his/her
teeth.
Standard costs
In general, a standard cleaning procedure at the vetโs office can
cost anywhere from $70 to $350. The price differences come in
when there are other factors involved. For example, the
complexity of the task and the requirement for pre-anesthetic
bloodwork prior to the procedure may raise the costs.There are
also other cost raising factors such as the presence of
periodontal disease and plaque buildup below the gum line and
over the teeth.It has been estimated that the average claim
amount submitted by pet insurance policy-holders amounts to $292.
Regular brushing with toothpaste, which is usually done along
with cleaning can cost about $30 to $60 annually. The prices vary
based on the dogโs size. Apart from the brushing and cleaning,
you could also end up spending on medications, which can vary
based on the condition affecting the dog and what kind of
medication the dog needs. In the case that your dog is diagnosed
with advanced periodontal disease, you might have to send him/her
in for surgery. This can set you back by a $1000. So, itโs best
to keep your dogโs dental health in check as often as possible.
What to expect
The first thing the vet would do is carry out an examination.
After which, he /she will administer anesthesia and remove plaque
build-up or tartar. He/she may also smooth out the root surfaces.
If the gums are deceased, the vet will clear out all the diseased
tissue as well. The next step involves rinsing the mouth and
polishing the teeth. Lastly, your dog may be given what is known
as a fluoride treatment. This treatment helps harden the teeth
enamel and reduces any discomfort that might be present.Most
veterinarians also maintain medical records and your vet is
likely to do the same. The record will list out details
concerning the various tooth problems your dog might have been
affected by, the procedures carried out, and the presence of
diseases/infections etc. The record will be used for future
reference and also for follow up procedures and examinations.
