? First Dental cleaning what should I be discussing with the vet?

[DebG]

OK Fritz is 9 and has never had his teeth cleaned. Every vet visit the vets would say good looking teeth. Well I look in there and see lots of yellowing. I don't want to have an unnecessary dental work but isn't prevention by having them cleaned better than waiting for teeth issues?
I would appreciate any advice and experiences you can share.
Thank you!
Deb & Fritz

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Yellow teeth are fine. What needs removal is plaque and calculus. The following provides a good description and photos.
http://houndstoothpetdental.com/stages.html

 

[DebG]

ellow teeth are fine. What needs removal is plaque and calculus. The following provides a good description and photos.
http://houndstoothpetdental.com/stages.html

Thank you excellent description and pictures. To me Fritz is showing later stage of 1 going on 2.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

isn't prevention by having them cleaned better than waiting for teeth issues?

With as much as dental issues can effect blood glucose regulation, I think keeping them as clean as possible is probably the best.

If you get them professionally cleaned, you can then work on keeping them in good shape by brushing at home (you can just use a piece of gauze and water and rub along the gumline....you don't need any fancy brushes or toothpastes) or by giving him chicken gizzards, wings, turkey necks or even just big "hunks" of meat to gnaw on

Cats in the wild keep their teeth clean by gnawing on meat...as they scrape along the bones/cartilage, the teeth keep themselves in good shape

 

[DebG]

With as much as dental issues can effect blood glucose regulation, I think keeping them as clean as possible is probably the best.

I should have already known that Fritz eats raw with/without bones and I chunk up Venison. I use to brush his teeth weekly and somehow got out of the habit I'll talk with the vet and most likely get a cleaning and start up brushing again.
Thanks !!!!!