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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed
How to use a scaler/scraper tool for cleaning dog's teeth DIY at home?how to sterilize this scraper at home? having heart issues my dog can't undergo dental cleaning.
3 Answers

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 27th, 2019
Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on August 19th, 2020
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This degree of tartar build up is definitely causing gingivitis, chronic infection and pain as well as halitosis and risk that the teeth will fall out very soon. The tartar definitely should be removed for health reasons. Please, try and find a vet that can provide safe, gas anaesthesia. If the anaesthesia is done by an experienced vet, the risk of complications is relatively low.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 22nd, 2019
It is actually more risky to do a dental cleaning without anesthesia in a dog with heart issues. All that tartar build up is bacteria and when they scrape the tartar that bacteria goes into the blood stream and can seed onto the heart valves putting them in danger of heart failure. It is better to have it done under anesthesia where the vet can administer antibiotics and can monitor her for any problems. Also, if any teeth need to be extracted (removed) that cannot be done without anesthesia.
Unfortunately, there are no products available that will remove heavy tartar build up.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful