How are my dog’s teeth cleaned?
After a thorough examination of your dog’s mouth, tooth scaling will be performed, using both hand and ultrasonic scalers to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. The tartar below the gum line causes the most significant periodontal disease, so it is important that it be thoroughly removed.
After scaling, the teeth are polished to remove microscopic scratches and decrease the rate of subsequent plaque build-up.
You may have heard about dental scaling, but not know what the process entails or if it’s safe. So, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about dental scaling!
Hand scaling is done with a set of instruments using only “hand” power, if you will. These are not electronic devices. The instruments often are designed to clean a very specific portion of your pup’s tooth using a particular technique. This is because hand scalers are designed with a sharp edge that is meant to scrape against the tooth, and a dull edge that is meant to face the gums. This is to prevent damage to the gums when scaling. However, this is not obvious to the untrained eye, and relies on the fact that your dog does not move.
Dental scaling refers to the process of removing plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. Tartar is a hard, black to green layer covering the yellow-white plaque of bacteria. The tartar acts as a coat of armor to the plaque of bacteria living underneath, keeping it from being disturbed by tooth brushing, food scraping, or any other forces that may wipe them away. Scaling aims to remove all of the build-up. There are two main types of scaling.
Every dog parent knows that dental hygiene can be a challenge. Trying to maintain a regular brushing schedule, especially with a pup who isn’t a big fan of the toothbrush, can be a tall order. So what do you do when your dog’s teeth have plaque and tartar build-up, the kind that can’t be removed with a brush?
Colleen Ferriman, DVM, is a canine and feline health, wellness, and illness management advocate. She has a combined 10 years of experience in clinical medicine, education, and educational content development. Colleen graduated from Colorado State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has worked as a general practitioner, and has contributed to the development of veterinary educational tools. She is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
It is important to get your dog groomed at least every 8 weeks. Some breeds require more and some may require less. Grooming gets out the dead hair and washes away the mud, dirt, pollens and molds. Many people tell me that their groomer also “scrapes” their dog’s teeth. This actually does more harm than good. Scraping or “scaling” creates a rough surface on your dog’s tooth, which makes it easier for bacteria to adhere. I recommend telling your groomer that you will pass on this service. The best way to rid your dog of tartar is to have a veterinarian perform a professional cleaning. They will use an ultrasonic scaler followed up by a polishing. This creates a smooth surface, detering bacteria. Many veterinarians will also perform dental radiographs to make sure the teeth and jaw are healthy.
At home prevention is key. Daily brushing with a pet safe toothpaste is ideal, but there are many alternatives. Dental chews with enzymes embedded are effective, but not all dogs can handle chews. There are dental treats, washes, toys, etc…that can also aid in preventing tartar.
How To Scale Your Dogs Teeth (AT HOME)
It is important to get your dog groomed at least every 8 weeks. Some breeds require more and some may require less. Grooming gets out the dead hair and washes away the mud, dirt, pollens and molds. Many people tell me that their groomer also “scrapes” their dog’s teeth. This actually does more harm than good. Scraping or “scaling” creates a rough surface on your dog’s tooth, which makes it easier for bacteria to adhere. I recommend telling your groomer that you will pass on this service. The best way to rid your dog of tartar is to have a veterinarian perform a professional cleaning. They will use an ultrasonic scaler followed up by a polishing. This creates a smooth surface, detering bacteria. Many veterinarians will also perform dental radiographs to make sure the teeth and jaw are healthy.
At home prevention is key. Daily brushing with a pet safe toothpaste is ideal, but there are many alternatives. Dental chews with enzymes embedded are effective, but not all dogs can handle chews. There are dental treats, washes, toys, etc…that can also aid in preventing tartar.