What to Expect with a Dog Teeth Cleaning

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a vet and do NOT give medical advice. Please consult a professional vet for all medical questions.

Today, I’m excited to give you a glimpse into Honey’s recent experience with a dog teeth cleaning. I documented Honey’s annual dental cleaning as part of her Banfield Wellness Plan.

Honey’s dental cleaning involved the use of anesthesia, similar to a spay or neuter procedure. As a pet parent, I had some initial concerns, but the vet reassured me by conducting a full panel of blood work to ensure Honey’s health and readiness for the procedure. It was comforting to know that Honey’s well-being was the top priority.

During the cleaning, the vet discovered that Honey had gingivitis. This confirmed the importance of regular dental care. Despite the initial worries, Honey did remarkably well during and after the cleaning. She was a bit groggy and sleepy from the anesthesia, but did really well recovering.

Two days post-cleaning, Honey was mostly tired, opting for extra snuggles and nap time. The shaved leg from the blood work was a minor discomfort for her, but she handled it like a champ.

Overall, the dog teeth cleaning experience was a little nerve-wracking at first, but after doing a little research to know how to properly prep Honey (no food the night before/morning of the procedure—water was ok, but of course, follow your vet’s advice) and make sure she felt loved and calm before and after the procedure (making sure to keep an extra careful eye on her when jumping up on furniture and making sure to keep her shaved leg dry and not let her lick it), and then closely following their after-care instructions (it’s a good idea to take notes, but you can always call back in with questions!) — including how much food they can have post procedure and any medication you need to give.

It’s important to do little things like brushing your pup’s teeth, regularly too—you can check out all our fave recommendations for dog dental health on Honey’s LTK and Amazon.