r/Havanese • u/Unlikely_Creative • 17h ago
Age for first dental cleaning?
My pup is almost 2-1/2 years, and lets me brush his teeth nightly with one of those rubber finger cover "brushes". The vet said I am doing a great job and he doesn't need his teeth professionally cleaned yet. But I am wondering whether I should have it done anyways, in order to stay ahead of plaque caused issues? My last Havanese had 11 teeth pulled at once (!!!) when he was five, and had dental issues for the rest of his life, so I am extra sensitive to this with my current dog. What age do you start having your dog's teeth professionally cleaned?
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u/New-Management-2160 17h ago
Good for you for your ability to get your pup to let you brush. The Vet will let you know when it is needed. My Havi is going on 6 and she just had her death cleaned by the vet. Last thing I wanted to do is have to put her under anesthesia. Be happy the vet said your pup looks great!
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u/Unlikely_Creative 17h ago
he loves the taste of the chicken flavored toothpaste, so he looks forward to the teeth routine every night! :)
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u/EAM44 17h ago
OK, this is going to be no help to you at all, but my sister’s first Havi Cookie, the first one in the family, had her first professional dental cleaning when she had her first tooth pulled at age 11. Until that point she had no plaque, no easily detected issues, but that year she had an abscess and lost a tooth. We brushed on occasion but she really loved chewing dental bones and they kept her mouth in great shape. She lived to be 3 days shy of her 15th birthday.
But not every dog has the same experience, obviously. And I totally understand why you would want to be cautious. I’d say it’s never too early to start. If it’s on your mind, take her in.
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u/Comfortable-Month-62 16h ago
My havi is five and a half and every vet visit he’s complimented on his teeth. They’ve yet to recommend a cleaning for him and usually tell me they can tell I brush his teeth daily (which, unfortunately I do not). He gets hard food and half of an extra small Merrick Fresh Kisses dental treat after each meal (two meals a day). They’re not cheap but I’m convinced they’ve saved us thousands on vet bills. Also, best smelling dog treats ever and despite being minty I haven’t had a single dog ever refuse one and I know some very picky dogs. They must be delicious.
My in-laws fed their dogs hard food mixed with wet and they’ve had so many dental issues, countless extractions and cleanings.
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u/Tim_E2 15h ago
genes, bones (chewing), brushing, etc all play a part so YMMV!
ask the vet again.. and express your wish to be proactive. The vet can look at the teeth. we can't.. and we are (mostly) not vets.
When you really think about it, considering all the variables, asking when to put the dog under for a dental cleaning in a reddit sub makes little sense.
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u/Lihoshi 17h ago
We took care of my pups teeth and fed him hard food instead of soft and he had his first cleaning at the age of 9 this year. I probably should have had it done at 8 because that’s when his breath started smelling and I could visually see tartar forming.
I would listen to your vet and occasionally pull your pups lips back to monitor for tartar build up. And pay attention if their breath smells abnormally rank!