How much does dog teeth cleaning cost?

Dental care is perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of owning a dog, even though it’s just as important for our furry friends as it is for us. Our best friends can be difficult when it comes to teeth brushing, to the point that many dog parents opt to not bother with the practice at all.

If you fall into this category, you will likely find your pup in need of professional teeth cleaning to prevent dental problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease, as well as other health conditions — like heart disease and kidney disease.

By now, you’re probably wondering: How much is that going to set you back?

As with all veterinary care, professional teeth cleaning can be expensive. While some clinics may offer teeth cleanings without anesthesia for as low as $100 to $300, this is considered an unsafe and ineffective method by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Trusted Source American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Nonprofit organization for small animal hospitals. Go to source and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Trusted Source American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Not-for-profit organization representing 97,000+ vets. Go to source . When put under anesthesia, the vet will be able to remove more tartar and plaque buildup, as well as avoid distressing your dog with an anxiety-inducing dental procedure.

Based on first-hand research with our team of veterinary experts, the average cost of a canine dental cleaning with anesthesia ranges from $500-$1,000 with a general practitioner. Of course, there are additional costs that may be added to your bill depending on a variety of factors.

Factors that impact the cost of a dental cleaning

When talking to fellow dog owners, you may be surprised to find them paying different rates than you do for the same canine dental care. This is because each dog is unique, and the cost to care for your pup will differ from care for another one based on several considerations.

Here is what your veterinarian will take into account when determining the price of your dog’s dental cleaning:

• Age. The cost of canine dental cleanings can vary based on age. For example, senior dogs may require more blood work ahead of time to determine their ability to handle the procedure.
• Weight. The size of your dog will be factored into the calculations that determine how much anesthesia your canine companion needs. This is why performing dental cleanings on larger dogs tends to cost more than smaller breeds.
• Pre-existing conditions. Your vet will also need to take into consideration any underlying medical issues facing your dog to determine the cost of their dental cleaning, as they may require additional monitoring.
• Procedure. The cost of a canine dental cleaning can go up depending on what kind of procedures are deemed necessary. Just removing plaque won’t be as expensive as something like an extraction ($100-$400 per tooth), x-ray imaging ($75-$500), or a root canal ($1,500-$3,000).
• Practitioner. While the $500-$1,000 mentioned above is the average cost for general practitioners, a veterinary dental specialist could be as high as $2,000. These specialists may be recommended by your vet if your pooch is experiencing more severe dental issues, like gum disease or oral cancer.

👉 Some dental problems may not be evident to your veterinarian until the dental cleaning is underway, which can lead to more surprise costs than what you were quoted going into the procedure.

Does pet insurance cover the cost of a dental cleaning?

With such high rates associated with canine dental cleanings, you’re probably wondering if having pet insurance will help offset these costs. This depends largely on what kind of plan you’ve enrolled in.

For the most part, dental cleanings are considered preventative care, and most insurance plans are geared toward accidents and illnesses. That said, many providers offer wellness plans as an additional add-on to their accident and/or illness coverage, which does cover some preventative care.

How to save money on the cost of a dental cleaning

The best way to save money on canine dental cleanings is to take preventative steps to make the cleanings less expensive. While this doesn’t rule out the need for professional dental care, you can avoid the need for extractions, root canals, and other expensive additional procedures with routine at-home oral care. Once you get in the habit, these small tasks will pay dividends over time.

Vets recommend dogs have their teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year regardless of their oral health. It can help catch and treat dental disease in the early stages, which is better for your dog and your bank account.

Some dog breeds, like greyhounds, and smaller dogs like Yorkies and pugs, have an increased risk for tartar formation, gum recession, and eventual loss of teeth. In these cases, more frequent cleanings may be required. Older dogs also typically require professional dental care more frequently than their younger counterparts.

Similar to human dentistry, a dog’s dental cleaning is thorough and designed to prevent problems in the future, like periodontal disease Trusted Source American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Nonprofit organization for small animal hospitals. Go to source . Unlike human dentistry, most of the cleaning is done under anesthesia for the safety and well-being of the dog.

Here are the six steps typically performed during a canine dental cleaning:

1. Conscious oral evaluation — Before your dog is put under anesthesia, your vet will examine their teeth and gums while they are awake. Here they can look for plaque, cavities, and any oral trauma.
2. Anesthesia — General anesthesia is required for a full examination and cleaning. Only a limited oral exam Trusted Source American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Nonprofit organization for small animal hospitals. Go to source and tartar removal above the gumline are possible without anesthesia. When your dog is put under, the veterinary team will monitor them throughout the procedure to ensure their vital signs stay stable and that they’re comfortable.
3. Intraoral radiography — Once under anesthesia, x-rays are taken to evaluate the structure of the jaw and the roots below the gumline, as well as the surrounding tissue.
4. Teeth scaling — With the help of an ultrasonic scaler, the vet will clean your dog’s teeth by removing the plaque on the crowns of each tooth and below the gumline.
5. Crown polishing — Polishing is recommended after cleaning to help reduce micro-abrasions on your pup’s enamel.
6. Periodontal probing — The vet will probe around each tooth to look for abnormalities, such as gingival pockets, fractured teeth, foreign material stuck between the teeth, signs of infection, and tooth movement.

In some cases, it may be necessary to perform additional procedures during the cleaning. Here are some extra procedures your dog might need:

• Extractions. If a tooth needs to be removed, a nerve block is often administered beforehand to numb the pup’s mouth so that there is no pain at the extraction site.
• Antibiotic therapy. If your dog has an underlying risk factor such as a heart murmur, the vet may prescribe antibiotics several days before surgery.
• Antiplaque sealant application. To decrease plaque accumulation, your vet might apply a barrier sealant.
• Oral mass biopsies. A vet will send any abnormal mass found in the mouth to a pathologist to analyze if it is cancerous.

Reading all this, you may understandably be anxious at the thought of putting your dog under anesthesia for professional teeth cleaning, let alone the costs associated with it. Keep in mind that as expensive as this procedure can be, it could end up costing you a lot more if a condition develops down the line from a lack of professional oral care.

Be sure to brush your canine pal’s teeth regularly, and have your vet keep an eye on their plaque and tartar buildup. Routine cleanings will help to keep the cost of dental care low and improve their overall health.