Just like us humans, our pet dogs need to have their teeth cleaned regularly to keep their pearly whites healthy and strong. Teeth cleaning is a preventative dental treatment that will help keep your pup’s smile in tip-top shape!

If you’re wondering how much it costs to get your dog’s teeth cleaned, you’ve come to the right place! It can range from $300-$400, but this depends on your geolocation. We’ve put together some very specific information about professional dog teeth cleaning costs, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

The Importance of Dog Teeth Cleaning

Dogs develop plaque and tartar on their teeth just like we do. Bacteria living in the mouth is what causes this sticky and hard buildup on the teeth. If plaque and tartar are not removed from a dog’s teeth, an inflammatory response occurs that can lead to red bleeding gums and even periodontal (gum) disease that can negatively affect the bone surrounding the teeth.

Gum disease in dogs is serious and unfortunately very common. Brushing your dog’s teeth with a special dog toothbrush helps keep gum disease at bay. This regular brushing should be accompanied by taking your dog to a vet for professional teeth cleaning once a year. When you take your dog in to have his teeth cleaned, your vet will closely inspect his mouth, teeth, oral cavity, and gums to look for potential problems.

Without question, professional dog teeth cleaning is a necessary routine procedure that will help keep your little buddy’s teeth, gums, and mouth healthy!

How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?

The cost of dog teeth cleaning can vary depending on many factors including your dog’s age, and size, what vet you use, and whether your dog needs additional dental care like tooth extractions.

Your geographical location will play a big role in determining how much you’ll pay for this service. Therefore, we’ve included the estimated dog teeth cleaning costs for dog owners living on the West Coast, East Coast, and the Midwest.  This way, you’ll get a more specific cost of this service, according to where you’re located in the United States.

Dog Teeth Cleaning Costs According to Geographical Location

Additional Costs to Anticipate

It’s possible to incur more costs when having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally if the vet sees or suspects an underlying problem. For example, your vet may need to take dental X-rays to look for problems beneath the gums. It’s also possible that a root canal procedure is needed to save a tooth that’s damaged or diseased. In the case of a severely damaged or diseased tooth, tooth extraction may be necessary to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.

The cost of dental x-rays varies but be ready to shell out anywhere from $125 to $250 for canine dental x-rays. If a tooth extraction is needed, the cost can range from $10 to $25 per tooth. The exact cost of an extraction is most often based on how much work is involved with getting the tooth out.

If a tooth can be saved by a root canal, this procedure can add $1,500 to $2,500 to the cost of a routine teeth cleaning procedure. The reason a canine root canal costs so much is that performing the procedure requires the same equipment, materials, and expertise as human dentistry.

How Often Should I Have My Dog’s Teeth Cleaned?

As stated earlier, it’s recommended to have your dog’s teeth cleaned once per year. However, you should schedule an appointment with your vet in between the annual teeth cleanings if you see any problems with your dog’s teeth or gums. Some signs that could indicate your dog needs a dental exam includes:

If you see any of the signs above, don’t ignore them! Remember that your dog depends on you to take care of his physical and mental health. Give your vet a call to report any signs you see that may indicate your pooch needs dental care. Your dog will thank you for taking care of his teeth by living a healthy and happy life.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Teeth Cleaning?

Unfortunately, routine dog teeth cleaning falls under the preventative care umbrella which means most pet insurance policies don’t cover it. Many pet insurers will cover emergency dental procedures such as teeth extractions needed due to things like broken teeth resulting from accidents.

Nowadays, many pet insurance companies offer wellness plans which may cover routine dental care including cleanings. While a wellness plan will reimburse you for some of the costs of routine vet care, it will add a significant cost to your pet insurance.

If you’re interested in a wellness plan that covers teeth cleanings, shop around and check with various insurance companies to see if you can find one that fits your budget and needs.

What To Do For Your Dog’s Teeth In Between Cleanings

There are several things you can do in between cleanings to keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Be sure to brush your dog’s teeth every couple of days using a doggie toothpaste and toothbrush. If your dog isn’t used to tooth brushing, take it cool and be patient. Before long, your pooch will get used to this routine procedure, so it goes smoothly.

You can also keep your dog’s teeth healthy between dental cleanings by feeding him right. It’s best to feed your dog dry kibble each day because its abrasive texture helps scrape away plaque and tartar. If your dog likes eating wet dog food, give him both by alternating between the two types. For example, you can feed your dog kibble one day and wet food the next. You should also provide your dog with some tasty dental chews that help remove plaque and tartar.

Maintaining your dog’s dental health can be lots of fun for you and your pooch if you use a dental doggie toy. This type of toy typically includes dental rings that work to keep your dog’s teeth clean, while freshening his breath. If you’re not joining in on the fun, keep an eye on your dog when he has the toy as very few dog toys are truly indestructible.

You can also use a dog dental spray each day to target plaque and tartar and to keep your pooch’s breath smelling fresh and clean. This type of product is a great option to use if your dog doesn’t cooperate with toothbrushing because it covers all the teeth surfaces.

Conclusion

Teeth cleaning is an essential procedure that will help keep your dog’s mouth clean and healthy. Now that you know dog teeth cleaning can be expensive, you can plan and do some budgeting. Just don’t forget to do some preventive dental care at home like doggie tooth brushing and playing with chew toys.

All in all, keeping your dog’s teeth healthy pays big dividends because a dog with healthy teeth and gums is a happier and healthier pet!

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Featured Image Credit: DWhiteeye, Shutterstock