How often should pets have dental work?
Dr. Barchas:
How often would you recommend professional dental
cleaning by a vet for my pooch? She is 4 and has
had her teeth cleaned already, I brush about 3X
per week and add a rinse to her water- yet she
still has redness at the gum line and a little
bleeding?? I am concerned about this but also
about putting her “under” as well.
Janis
Chatsworth, CA
The answer to this question is different for every pet. There is no formula that can be used to time dental work in all dogs and cats. I am sorry, but the best answer I can give is: pets need dental work when they need dental work.
So, how can you tell when your pet needs dental work? There are several symptoms of dental disease. Bad breath and discolored teeth are common. As well, pets may become lethargic, their coats may smell bad, they may drool, and red gums or loose teeth may be noted. Most pets with dental disease do not lose their appetites.
Dental disease is serious. It is very painful. It has been linked to kidney problems, cancer, heart problems, premature death, diabetes, bladder infections, tooth loss, and many, many other problems.
Vets do themselves a tremendous disservice when they refer to animal dental work as “teeth cleaning”. Sure, we clean the teeth. But we also do a complete intra-oral exam, probe pockets, perform supra- and subgingival scaling, perform root planing, extract or repair teeth, and perform intra-oral radiographs. In the end, the teeth are clean, which is nice. But the fancy-sounding medical procdures are what really help the pet. They make the mouth healthy.
To get back to your situation: if your dog has red, bleeding gums, she almost certainly needs dental work. At the very least, you should have a vet look at her mouth.
And, although no formula can determine how often pets should undergo dental work, there is a simple rule that you can use to make sure your pet’s mouth stays healthy. Go to a good vet for regular checkups every 6 months. Have the vet assess the teeth (as well as the rest of the body!). The vet will be able to tell you if and when dental work is needed, and whether the benefits of dental work outweigh the risks of anesthesia.
You have questions. 
I brush my dogs teeth at least once a day. He tolerates the brushings well and his teeth look great. It is obvious when I slack on the teeth brushing as his breath is bad and I can see the build up. I highly advise all dog owners to brush their dogs teeth-if he/she will let you!
What do you recommend for tooth paste? I have never brushed my dogs teeth but after reading the article above I will start. Please let me know what to do to start! Growing up I don’t remember my family getting dental work for any of our animals, this is all very knew to me.
Thanks, Heather
Heather: I buy the chicken toothpaste at the pet store. The beef smells pretty bad. Don’t use human toothpaste. Make sure to clean the brush well after use or a greenish film will develp on the brush. You can also buy a soft human tooth brush. I find it works well!
What about cats? What kind of brush do you use? I don’t want to hurt my cat’s gums. What about dentabites little treats for the cat that helps with dental care. Do they make a difference or is it better to brush their teeth?
Shi, brushing your cat’s teeth is the most effective way to prevent dental disease. You can use a soft-bristled child’s toothbrush. Pet stores also sell fingertip toothbrushes for cats. Soft bristles are the most important feature of any toothbrush.