As a dog owner, you’ve probably heard about dental disease and the importance of proper dental care for your canine companion. But sometimes, a dog may need to be put under anesthesia to have their teeth cleaned. Is it really necessary, though? Is it safe?

For most dogs, anesthesia is a safe and effective way to do a proper teeth cleaning. A pre-anesthetic exam is performed beforehand, and appropriate monitoring is done while your dog is under. Know that you can talk to a vet about your concerns, and they can give you specific guidance regarding your dog.

Is Dog Dental Cleaning Worth the Risk?

Dental disease is a huge problem in dogs—it’s estimated that over 80% of dogs over 3 years old have a form of it ¹. It’s more than just dirty teeth and smelly breath, though. While tartar buildup does cause brown teeth and bad odor, it also causes inflammation in the gums and below the gum line, sometimes extending to the ligaments and tissues that hold the teeth in place. If it’s not treated with professional cleanings, it can lead to infections and even tooth loss, not to mention pain for your poor pup. Also, bacteria from your dog’s mouth can travel through their body and reach important organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver.

While brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is a great way to prevent and even remove part of that nasty tartar, it can’t get under the gums or between the teeth the way that a veterinarian’s tools can. So, even dogs with pearly white teeth due to a stringent brushing regime may still harbor dental disease deep down that needs extra treatment.

Very few dogs have the disposition to stand still while a vet works in their mouth, and very few vets want to stick their fingers in the mouth of a dog that’s awake. Also, dental disease tends to lurk below the surface of the teeth, so anesthesia is essential for a proper dental cleaning. A fully asleep dog is kept safe from the sharp tools, and their stress and anxiety regarding the procedure are reduced. If a tooth extraction also needs to be done, the dog must be asleep so they don’t feel it.

In short, anesthesia is the only way to get a thorough dental cleaning above and below the gum line while keeping your dog and the veterinary staff safe.

What Are the Side Effects of Anesthesia for Dog Teeth Cleaning?

Putting a dog under anesthesia and having them safely wake back up may seem like a near-magical thing. That said, the process isn’t completely without its risks or complications.

Fortunately, the serious side effects are incredibly few and far between, around 0.15%. In fact, when done right, anesthesia is safer than not having your dog’s teeth cleaned. Negative side effects associated with anesthesia are more common in dogs with certain health conditions, which is why pre-anesthetic exams and monitoring are crucial.

Is It Safe to Put an Older Dog Under Anesthesia for Teeth Cleaning?

The veterinarian and staff want your dog to be as safe as possible, so they take various precautionary steps before giving any sedation or anesthetic drugs to your pet. These include exams to listen to the heart and lungs and to just check over your dog. It typically occurs along with checking their teeth to determine if a dental cleaning is necessary.

They will also likely do pre-anesthetic blood work and a urinalysis to check organ function, especially if you have an older pup or one with a health condition like diabetes, kidney disease, or Cushing’s. They may also take X-rays to look at the heart and lungs if they feel that it’s necessary. An ECG or further testing may be needed too.

While your pet is anesthetized, they will be under constant supervision, with their vital signs monitored to ensure that they are doing well. If anything becomes even slightly abnormal, the vet will be able to administer emergency medications to combat the anesthesia and wake your dog quickly.

Once your dog’s teeth are descaled, polished, and checked over, they will be allowed to wake up slowly—again, with supervision—and they likely won’t be allowed to go home until they are back to normal.

You can help reduce anesthetic risk by making sure your pup is as healthy as possible. This means providing them with regular veterinary care, vaccinations, and preventative meds for heartworm, fleas, and ticks and keeping them at a healthy weight. Be sure to tell the vet about all medications that your dog is taking, and talk to them about any abnormalities or changes that you have noticed.

How Long Does It Take a Dog to Recover From Anesthesia for Teeth Cleaning?

Many anesthetics have short lifespans, meaning they need to be given constantly throughout the procedure, but they will also be out of your dog’s system quickly. Most dogs will wake up within a few hours after their teeth cleaning, though it will take them a little while to fully return to themselves.

Expect your pup to be a bit off for 24–48 hours following anesthesia for teeth cleaning. During this time, they may be groggy and uncoordinated, lack an appetite, and just want to sleep. The vet will advise you on feeding and providing water to best prevent side effects like vomiting. You’ll also be instructed to give your dog safe downtime until they get their bearings again.

If your dog shows side effects for longer than 48 hours, contact a vet.

If you need urgent veterinary advice, consult a vet online.

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Conclusion

You may see anesthesia-free teeth cleaning offered by certain veterinary clinics, but you should know that this isn’t the preferred way to do it. It can be unsafe for your dog and the veterinary staff involved, and it doesn’t allow for the deep cleaning and assessment that is necessary to truly treat and prevent dental disease. Also, you wouldn’t want your dog to have a tooth pulled without proper pain control.

Fortunately, anesthesia is typically safe, with a very low risk of serious side effects. The vet will do everything that they can to ensure that your pup is safe, including pre-anesthetic tests and exams and constant monitoring while your dog is under anesthesia and afterward. You can do your part by keeping your pet as healthy as possible and informing a vet of anything suspicious that could indicate that your dog may have an underlying health condition.

Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock