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Originally Posted by 107barney  Improperly scaling of teeth at home can cause damage to the structure of the teeth themselves which could be worse than the plaque. BTW, feeding deer antler is a sure fire way to crack teeth. Between the antler and the home scaling, you might end up with more problems than just a little plaque. And anyway, you cannot get below the gum line with an ultrsonic scaler like a vet can when the dog is anesthetized. Everyone is always afraid of putting their dog out but it's the best thing you can do for a proper dental and the safety of your dog. |
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Originally Posted by Ellie May We brush daily and use OraVet weekly. Dentals only when the vet thinks they are needed.
I do no scraping at home. Can't get close to the gum line and can't buff them after, so it's usually just a cosmetic procedure if done without anesthesia. |
I totally agree with the above As far as the risk of anesthesia, it is far less than the risk of illness due to periodontal disease.
My pups have dentals every year unless the vet feels it is not needed...most times it is.
A pretty basic site about good oral hygeine for dogs:
Pet Dental Care - The Importance of Dental Care For Dogs and Cats