I live in Washington state and my vet uses general anesthesia to clean our dog's teeth (Kipper is getting his teeth brushed every day and isn't old enough for teeth cleaning yet). I might also mention that it is NOT bones that help clean or keep a dog's teeth cleaned, but rather the enzymes they need to break down the plaque. This is provided in the doggie toothpaste the vet will give you so if you are consistent about brushing his teeth, you will probably get to delay another teeth cleaning for a longer time. Having been a dental assistant when I was younger, it scares me to think that groomers are providing this service. As one person posted on this thread, there is VERY harmful bacteria that comes loose when cleaning teeth. My daughter had to be premedicated because of a heart defect and the danger that the bacteria set loose could have gone straight to her heart and been life threatening. Teeth cleaning is not a minor deal, in my opinion. It is important for the health and well being of both dog and master. |