Can I remove my dog's tartar at home without a vet dental cleaning?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Sadly the only way to get that thick tartar off is with an ultrasonic scaler. And dogs do not stay still for this to happen awake. We also do not know the extent of the periodontal disease in dogs awake. Once the tartar is chipped away we can probe the sockets and take X-rays to determine if the roots are diseased or abscessed, which requires extraction. Leaving diseased teeth in the mouth leaves the dog with chronic pain and risk for abscesses popping through the skin. The only thing you can do at home is try to chip the tartar with your nails if Deeva will even allow you to do so. Do not get bit. You can start brushing her teeth to at least prevent further tartar build up but brushing will not remove what is there. Below is a link to the Veterinary Oral Health Council's approved products. You can try some of the products to see if they help. Also Veterinary dentists recommend a MINIMUM of 3 days a week of teeth brushing. Anything less is likely not doing anything. I wish you the best! http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products_dogs.html

That's quite a bit of tarter buildup, and it would be best to have Joshie examined by a vet to determine if she is a good candidate for a dental cleaning. Dental cleanings often involve having your pet go under anesthesia so that the teeth can be thoroughly cleaned and any damaged or infected teeth removed safely. February was pet dental health month (at least in the US), and many veterinary clinics extend dental discount packages into March, so now is the perfect time to schedule a visit and check it out. At home, brushing is always a good idea, and there are many pet toothpastes available that are palatable and can encourage your pet to get their teeth brushed (never use human toothpaste as it is toxic to pets). You can also spread some on a dental chew or other "scrubby" like chew toy to help clean the teeth. Chews like nylabones, Kongs, etc, that encourage your dog to use their teeth can help. There are also prescription diets available from your vet such as t/d which is designed specifically to improve dental health and clean the teeth while eating. It would be hard to predict lifespan, but if you're working to clean your dog's teeth and keep her healthier, then that is always going to help.

Tartar buildup on a dog’s teeth is very common. The best way to prevent it is by brushing their teeth daily, usually in the evenings after their last meal. In most cases, unless the pulp cavity (the inner, live part of the tooth) or the crown (the whitish part of the tooth you can see) is damaged there is no need to remove the tooth. With a good dental cleaning (that must be done under general anesthesia) the tartar can be removed and the tooth polished so that the tooth can remain with the dog. If you are going to have a dental performed on your dog ask the veterinarian about performing dental x-rays. This will help determine the viability of the tooth. Once the x-rays are performed the veterinarian can make a better decision on whether or not the tooth needs to be removed. If tartar on the tooth is the only issue, there is no discoloration, cracks or fractures, or anything abnormal about the tooth, your dog will likely be able to keep the tooth. Pricing of dental cleanings very from clinic to clinic. Once you have your initial consultation with your veterinarian they should be able to provide you with an estimate. In the States a typical dental cleaning, depending on the size of dog and the problems present, can be anywhere from $300-$1000. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Best of luck.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The gold standard for at home dental care is brushing teeth. However, we all know this is not easy for you or your pet!! If Lilly will let you do so, then yes, I recommend getting a silicone tooth brush (finger or long handle- whichever is easier) and brushing her teeth all the way from her back molars to her front incisors. I also recommend the dental chews called OraVet. They tend to work a little bit better reducing plaque and maintaining better smelling breath. You can likely find these dental chews at your local veterinary's office. With age and time, dog's teeth tend to build tartar more quickly. Therefore, I recommend brushing, dental chews and even particular dental food. Thanks for being so on top of Lilly's care! You are doing a great job!

You have some great questions, and I will answer them in order :-) 1. Yes, a proper dental cleaning will require full anesthesia. It is never recommended to do a dental cleaning without it. It's dangerous and painful to the dog to do it this way, and a dental cleaning should only be done by a vet. 2. A water additive is a great addition to a dog's dental hygiene plan. I recommend Arm & Hammer dental water additive, you can get it at a pet store. Additionally, you can call your vet to ask for the name of the one they gave you for Giorgio. 3. I recommend the CET brand of toothbrushes and paste. You can probably get them at your vet's office or a pet store. 4. I recommend for treats Hill's t/d. It's a food, but you can give individual pieces as treats and it helps with his teeth. There are also dental chews. 5. No, I do not recommend trying to remove his tartar yourself. You can brush, but like with humans, he will still need a dental cleaning to get rid of all the tartar. Trying to remove the tartar yourself can hurt him, but do brush his teeth to keep them as clean as possible. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like Prince has dental tartar that has hardened and become calculus. It isn’t dangerous unless your pet has heart disease. They only way to remove calculus is to have his teeth cleaned under anesthesia. The vet will remove the calculus and polish the teeth after. Once the teeth are professionally cleaned, I would start a daily cleaning routine to slow down future buildup. The best treatment is dog toothpaste (NOT human) and a toothbrush daily. At your next vet appointment talk to them about his cleaning options. Good luck and kisses to Prince!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes that is tartar that has hardened. You will unlikely be able to get that off without a dental cleaning under general anesthesia. I recommend daily brushing with dog toothpaste to prevent more from forming and causing damage to the teeth and gums. Good luck and kisses to Franklin!