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How often you get your dog's teeth cleaned by a vet?

Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:05 pm
Posted by Chicken
Jackassistan
Member since Aug 2003
26226 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:05 pm
Has anyone here had their dog’s teeth professionally cleaned by a vet? How did it go, and was it worth it?

From what I understand, the dog has to be put under anesthesia...

I’ve heard mixed things about whether it’s necessary vs. just brushing at home or using dental chews...

These people come to your house to clean your dog's teeth but the dog is awake:

healthysmiles.pet/for-dogs

But the vet says that's not good enough...
This post was edited on 9/1/25 at 12:52 pm
Posted by jmarto1
Houma, LA/ Las Vegas, NV
Member since Mar 2008
37682 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:06 pm to
Ive had several vets i know tell me that a lot of dogs are out down over teeth issues. All I've got on it
Posted by GRTiger
On a roof eating alligator pie
Member since Dec 2008
68646 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:08 pm to
We took our old girl twice a year. They did it during her semi annual check up. Didn't start it untill she was like 8 though.

Our current dog hasn't gone to the vet for it yet but I clean her teeth at least monthly.

Eta
We used Banfield. I think the monthly fee went up around $12/month to add the semi annual cleanings to the plan.
This post was edited on 9/1/25 at 12:11 pm
Posted by WaydownSouth
Stratton Oakmont
Member since Nov 2018
10333 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:08 pm to
Usually once every 2 years. Had one place quote me $500 per dog, another quote $125 per dog.

Shop around
Posted by Sao
East Texas Piney Woods
Member since Jun 2009
68469 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:09 pm to

The responses will be so vast. I don't think there's a more bogus $xx.xx wide-range charge in pet care (or even value you can't do yourself), but I'm following.
Posted by Iron Lion
Romulus
Member since Nov 2014
13637 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:10 pm to
I don't get my German Shepherd's teeth cleaned. My wife orders him some kind of bones from Chewy that's supposed to "clean" them but I think it's bullshite.
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
78634 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:10 pm to
Yes, anesthesia is required.

It's worth doing when needed. I had a 13 year old dog once and I could tell her teeth needed to be cleaned but wasn't sure it was worth doing. Then she started grinding her teeth so I took her in.

Had her for another year and a half so it was a good thing I took care of it.
Posted by Three
Texas Tiger
Member since Jul 2025
333 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:10 pm to
every 18 months per the vet

yes they put the dog under

for older dogs they make you sign a waiver re: the anesthesia

per the breeder, brushing at home is only effective if done every day - get the good doggy toothpaste from the vet


eta: post a picture of your dog
This post was edited on 9/1/25 at 12:12 pm
Posted by dyslexiateechur
Louisiana
Member since Jan 2009
35524 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:11 pm to
Yep, once a year to every two years once they’re over 6 or so.

My vet had a $200 special for August.
Posted by Porter Osborne Jr
Member since Sep 2012
42902 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:12 pm to
Never have, never will. Give them proper chew toys and it will handle itself. I’m not risking putting my dogs under for that
Posted by Yewkindewit
Near Birmingham, Alabama
Member since Apr 2012
21548 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:22 pm to
Our Zeus is 7+ years old now and the vet says his teeth are fine. He hasn’t had them cleaned. Vet did say it’s about. $200 and he would be be sedated. He has just a tad bit of plaque and has fine breath. His teeth are mostly white but he is not a chewer of sticks of chewy toys. He does get crunchy snacks that can be cleaning his teeth as he eats them. He eats 3 times a day.
Posted by Tarps99
Lafourche Parish
Member since Apr 2017
11256 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:29 pm to
quote:

We used Banfield. I think the monthly fee went up around $12/month to add the semi annual cleanings to the plan.


My German Shepherd is due for hers at Banfield this month. They do it once a year. Also, since she is a large breed, they put her under to do it. So I have to drop her off in the morning and pick her up at end of the day.
Posted by lsewwww
Member since Feb 2009
381 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:40 pm to
depends on dog
some breeds will rot out no matter what you do- ie chihuahua, shih tzu, dachshunds, poms.
-the rot can be so bad it will destroy the bone in the mandible and they walk around with a broken jaw or pus trapped behind their eye
- anesthesia is a must
- prices vary wildly - i've seen from 600 for a cleaning to 3600 for 27 teeth coming out. Higher if they need the CT
-dental health affects every organ system- heart and valves with endocardiosis/endocarditis, kidneys (uti or pyelo), liver etc.
Posted by More beer please
Member since Feb 2010
46152 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:50 pm to
quote:

Had one place quote me $500 per dog, another quote $125 per dog. Shop around


For those that don’t know you will get varying prices based on what it includes.

Something that cheap is done by a technician under sedation and is just a cleaning. Others have digital dental x-rays, anesthesia, extractions, etc

And its necessity is determined by each individual dog and breed. Some may never need it, some can develop severe health issues without it.
Posted by Chicken
Jackassistan
Member since Aug 2003
26226 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:53 pm to
These people come to your house to clean your dog's teeth but the dog is awake:

healthysmiles.pet

But the vet says that's not good enough...thoughts?
This post was edited on 9/1/25 at 12:53 pm
Posted by FLBooGoTigs1
Nocatee, FL.
Member since Jan 2008
58490 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 12:58 pm to
quote:

From what I understand, the dog has to be put under anesthesia.


Just had this conversation yesterday my wife and I decided not to do this because of them being put to sleep to clean their teeth. We have three older golden receivers and the thought of them not waking up due to cleaning teeth was not worth it. We give them chewing threats that clean their teeth.
Posted by Proximo
Member since Aug 2011
21884 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 1:00 pm to
Depends on the dog. Do you have a crusty little white dog or a bigger dog?

If it’s a bigger dog, I would go for the white and green Kong bones at petsmart first or bully sticks. They will clean up a lot of the plaque

Little crusty dogs always have teeth falling out and might need actual dental services.

I never had my husky’s teeth cleaned in 13 years and no problems because I gave him chews
Posted by Proximo
Member since Aug 2011
21884 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 1:01 pm to
quote:

We have three older golden receivers and the thought of them not waking up due to cleaning teeth was not worth it.

Yes, anesthesia can kill a dog and if they’re older probably not worth it.
Posted by Chicken
Jackassistan
Member since Aug 2003
26226 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 1:01 pm to
my dog is 50 pounds...what type of chews do you recommend?
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
15535 posts
Posted on 9/1/25 at 1:02 pm to
My dog is 10 years old. Never had it done. Never will.
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