The general health of your pet depends greatly on their dental health.
Your veterinarian should examine your pet’s teeth and gums at least once a year.
He will look for potential issues early on and to maintain your pet’s oral health.
Dog dental care procedures include routine dental scaling as normal practice.
Naturally, it is essential to ensure good oral health at home for dogs.
The dog’s wolf ancestry also plays a huge role in their oral health.
And the Wolves canine teeth serve strongly and are essential for biting and chewing.
They will keep their teeth in top condition with routine brushing and mouthwash.
Dog teeth scaling is also still required to avoid dental disease.
The Process of Scraping Dogs Teeth
- Preparing the Dog for The Procedure
- Tools Needed for Scraping
- Techniques for Scraping
- Dealing with Difficult Dogs During The Procedure
Preparing the Dog for The Procedure
The vet will do many blood tests and possible X-rays.
The blood tests will determine the health of their kidneys and heart.
The X-ray will determine the position of the teeth before the scraping process.
This is used to rule out any complications during the procedure.
In rare cases, organ failure is possible due to anesthesia. [1]
Tools Needed for Scraping
| Water additive | Liquid additives can be added to your dog’s water bowl. The contents are natural and promote teeth health. |
| Oral gels | Gel formulations that can be applied directly to your dog’s teeth and gums. Oral gels can help freshen breath and reduce plaque buildup. They are often made with natural ingredients. |
| Tartar scraper | A tool used to remove stubborn tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth. Tartar scrapers should only be used by vets. Improper use can damage your dog’s teeth and gums. |
| Dental scaler | A tool used to remove tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth. |
| Ultrasonic tool | A tool used by veterinary professionals to clean your dog’s teeth with high-frequency vibrations. Ultrasonic cleaning can help remove tartar buildup and reduce bacteria. |
Plaque scrapers are another name for dental scalers.
It’s a tool used to get rid of gum’s hardened plaque.
This may occur if you don’t thoroughly and sufficiently brush your dog’s teeth.
Additionally, if you haven’t used interdental brushes or floss. [2]
A metal hand instrument with a hook-like end is called a dental scaler.
It is intended to be able to remove hardened plaque from beneath the gum line on their teeth.
The Wzhe Tooth Scraper and Scaler are some of the best options.
They allow cleaning tart and biofilms at every angle.
There are electric versions of dental scalers known as ultrasonic dental scalers.
Techniques for Scraping
When scaling, good technique and clinical knowledge are essential.
Vets have excellent lighting and visibility.
The dog is first put to sleep using a general anesthetic.
They wash their mouths to get rid of meal residue.
The tartar and bacteria coatings are then removed using dental scrapers. [3]
To prevent contamination, the locations are cleaned up and disinfected.
The process of coming out of anesthesia then begins
Dealing with Difficult Dogs During The Procedure
Vets count on the help of other employees when it comes to difficult dogs.
They create a calm environment.
They try to connect with the dog before beginning the procedure.
After they start the generalized anesthesia, problems with aggressive dogs should disappear. [4]
Signs of Dental Problems in Dogs
- Bad Breath
- Red of Swollen Gums
- Discolored Teeth
- Loose or Missing Teeth
Bad Breath
The most typical cause of canine bad breath is periodontal disease.
Which is brought on by plaque (biofilm) and tartar accumulation.
Once the dog begins to salivate, a plaque biofilm begins to form over a cleaned and polished tooth.
Rough tartar (calculus) is produced by the mineralization of the plaque within a few days.
A recent study shows that 80% of dogs over 2 years old have periodontal disease. [5]
Red of Swollen Gums
When a lot of tartar builds up, it results in gingivitis.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums.
Plaque deteriorates with time, and gingivitis develops into periodontitis (loss of tooth support).
Destructive bacteria replace the good bacteria in the bacterial flora.
Some breeds are more prone to gingivitis than others.
The Chihuahuas teeth is one of the genetically most sensitive. [6]
Many owners wonder: if dogs grind their teeth when teething.
In such cases, you can notice red and swollen gums.
So, beside bacteria, red swollen gums are due to teething.
Discolored Teeth
Teeth can become discolored for several causes.
A traumatic injury or faulty tooth development may be linked to discoloration.
A non-vital (dead) tooth is clearly shown by dental discoloration.
A diagnosis must be made using dental radiographs. [7]
Loose or Missing Teeth
Around four months old, puppies begin losing their baby teeth.
Later on, they are then replaced by adult teeth.
Loose teeth can be exceedingly uncomfortable, especially when eating.
The causes in adult dogs include bacterial growth or mechanical damage. [8]
You can find many pictures of dog’s teeth here.
With this, you can easily check if your dog’s teeth are okay.
Dog’s teeth chattering can lead to loose teeth.
Typically, a veterinarian must remove them while sedated.
Aftercare
- Giving Pain Medication if Necessary
- Monitoring the Dog’s Behavior and Eating Habits
- Post-operative instructions for The Owner
Giving Pain Medication If Necessary
Most likely, you and your pet will be given painkillers to take home.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to you to treat an infection.
Make sure to go over medication administration with your veterinarian’s dentist.
When giving drugs at home, follow the instructions on the container. [9]
Your dog may resist taking the medication.
Try slipping the medication into one of his treats or a portion of his meal.
Monitoring the Dog’s Behavior and Eating Habits
Before you go home, talk to your veterinary dentist about post-op feeding.
Your dog might need to refrain from hard kibble until the surgical site has fully healed.
This could take one to three weeks.
Hot water or hot bouillon that has been diluted in hot water can soften most foods. [10]
Just be careful to wait until it has cooled before giving it to your dog.
Wet or semi-moist food is an additional choice.
Make sure it consumes as much liquid as you can.
Post-operative Instructions for The Owner
Make sure your dog has a pleasant, and comfortable place to relax after his treatment.
He’ll probably feel drowsy the first day following the extraction.
It typically takes 12 to 24 hours for a dog to fully recover.
So don’t be concerned if your dog seems exhausted or under the weather during this time. [11]
Give them the medication they were prescribed to stop bacterial gum infections.
If you notice any symptoms, you can also give them painkillers.
Should I Scrape My Dog’s Teeth At Home?
No, you should not scrape your dog’s teeth at home.
This procedure requires anesthesia and aseptic tools.
Complications include bleeding and gingivitis.
It’s recommended to pay a visit to your vet to avoid them.
References
