Where Do I Go for My Dog's Teeth Exam?

Your dog has 42 teeth and needs you to help him keep each one healthy. Getting his teeth cleaned and examined by a professional helps prevent decay and tooth loss down the road.

  1. Veterinarian

    • Veterinarians specialize in caring for every aspect of dog care, even dental care. Your veterinarian has the skills necessary to clean yours dog's teeth. Additionally, some veterinary technicians -- the assistants who help your vet -- may have specialty certification in dentistry. After certification, a tech becomes a dental technician with the training need for cleaning and performing routine exams associated with pet dentistry.

    Prevention

    • Prevention is the key to help ensure dental issues do not become problems for your pet down the road. Brushing your dog's teeth daily helps remove bacteria and prevent tartar buildup. The Long Beach Animal Hospital website recommends brushing your dog's teeth as soon as his adult teeth grow in. Special doggie toothbrushes and toothpaste are available at your local pet supply store. Also, buy your pet chew toys that provide teeth cleaning.

    Cleaning Process

    • When taking your dog to the vet for a dental exam, expect the vet and tech to examine his teeth while he is awake. Next, they generally put him to sleep and remove the plaque and tartar with specialized equipment. They also remove plaque and calculus from the root under the gum while he is asleep. Just like your dentist does for you, they polish your dog's teeth and rinse them well after the cleaning. Additionally, your vet may recommend X-rays to ensure no problems exist that he cannot see. He will likely check your dog's tonsils, tongue and cheek tissue as well.

    Problems

    • Dogs suffer from the same dental issues as humans. The common problems vets find during dental exams in dogs include plaque buildup, gum disease and tooth loss. However, gum disease is five times more likely to occur in pet than in humans, according to the WebMD website. More than 80 percent of dogs over 3 years old suffer from the preventable disease.