Caring for your pet’s teeth is just as important as feeding them a healthy diet or taking them for regular checkups. But when it comes to pet dental care, many owners wonder: is at-home care enough or does my pet need professional cleanings?
While brushing your pet’s teeth and using dental chews are great ways to maintain oral hygiene, they can’t replace professional cleanings. At Madera Veterinary Hospital in Tuscon, we believe in a balanced approach that combines both DIY (at-home) dental care and professional veterinary cleanings for the best results.
Let’s break down what you can do at home, what requires a vet’s expertise, and how to keep your pet’s teeth and gums in top shape!
DIY Pet Dental Care: What You Can Do at Home
At-home dental care is crucial for preventing plaque and tartar buildup, reducing bad breath, and maintaining overall oral health. Here’s what you can do to help keep your pet’s teeth clean between vet visits:
Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth
Best for: Preventing plaque buildup and freshening breath
Brushing is the single most effective way to prevent dental disease in pets at home. Use a pet-safe toothbrush and flavored toothpaste (never human toothpaste!) to make it a positive experience.
How to Get StartedStart slow and let your pet get used to the toothpaste.
- Brush at least 3 times a week (daily is ideal).
- Focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth, where plaque builds up the most.
Dental Chews & Treats
Best for: Reducing plaque and tartar buildup naturally
Chewing helps scrape away plaque while keeping your pet entertained. Ask us about veterinarian-approved dental chews to ensure effectiveness.
What to Look For
- Textured treats that encourage chewing.
- Ingredients that help fight bacteria.Avoid chews that are too hard as they can crack your pet’s teeth.
Dental-Friendly Diets
Best for: Long-term plaque control.
Certain pet foods are designed to help keep teeth clean by encouraging chewing and reducing plaque. Some kibble textures act like a toothbrush, scraping away buildup as your pet eats.
What to Ask Your Vet
- Are there dental-specific pet foods that would benefit my pet?
- Should I avoid certain soft food, which can stick to teeth and encourage plaque growth?
What At-Home Care Can’t Do (Why Professional Pet Dentistry is Necessary)
Even if you brush daily and give your pet dental chews, plaque still hardens into tartar over time. Once tartar forms, it can’t be removed with at-home care—only a professional pet dental cleaning can get rid of it.
Dental cleanings at Madera Veterinary Hospital:
Removes Plaque & Tartar Below the Gumline
At-home brushing only cleans the visible parts of your pet’s teeth, but dental disease starts below the gumline. Professional cleanings remove deep-set tartar that leads to painful infections.
Identify Hidden Dental Problems
During a professional cleaning, our veterinarian will check for:
- Loose or damaged teeth
- Gum infections or abscesses
- Oral tumors or cysts
Early detection is key—many dental problems aren’t visible to the naked eye!
Provide a Full Cleaning Under Safe Anesthesia
A veterinary dental cleaning includes scaling & polishing to remove tartar, thorough oral exams to detect early signs of disease, and extractions if necessary for severely damaged teeth. Anesthesia is used so that pets are completely comfortable and stress-free during the procedure.
A Combined Approach Is Best for Pet Dental Care
While DIY dental care is great for daily maintenance, professional dental cleanings are necessary to remove deep tartar and prevent serious disease. A combination of both will ensure your pet has a healthy mouth and a longer, happier life.
Has it been over a year since your pet’s last dental cleaning? Schedule a dental consultation at Madera Veterinary Hospital in Tuscon, AZ today! Call us at (520) 574-3700 or request an appointment online.
