How much does it cost to clean a dog’s teeth? (2023)

The average cost of teeth cleaning for a dog is $500 to $1,000. You may find that some low cost clinics offer the service for as low as $300 to $500and specialist veterinary dentists may charge $1,500 or more, depending on any additional treatments your pet needs. All teeth cleaning and dental work for dogs requires general anesthesia to ensure the safety of the pet and the veterinary team, which contributes significantly to the cost.

Factors that affect the cost of cleaning dog teeth

Dog teeth cleaning costs can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• Dog Size: Dental procedures on smaller dog breeds may cost slightly less than on larger dogs because they take less time and use less anesthesia.
• Dog health status: Senior dogs or those with existing health problems may require additional care and special anesthesia considerations, including possible consultation with a veterinary anesthesiologist at an additional charge.
• Dental disease stringency: The more tartar and plaque that builds up on your dog’s teeth, the more time-consuming and expensive the dental procedure becomes. Your vet may find other dental problems such as loose, broken or infected teeth during the cleaning, which require extractions and other treatments at extra cost.
• Where do you live: The cost of veterinary dental care can be higher in areas where the cost of living is high.
• Who performs it dental procedure: Board-certified veterinary dentists generally charge more than primary care veterinarians for their time and expertise. They may also offer more advanced and more expensive techniques.

You may be tempted to cut costs by seeking anesthesia-free dental services for your dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the AAHA it is strongly recommended that you avoid these procedures because they are dangerous, inefficient and stressful for the dogs and the often incompetent people who perform them.

Most veterinary clinics bundle their basic dental services into one dental cleaning fee. Each clinic creates its own package of dog dental cleaning services, but packages often include the following:

• Preoperative sedation and intravenous (IV) catheter placement
• General anesthesia with continuous monitoring of vital signs and IV fluids
• Complete oral examination and dental charting of medical record
• Dental x-rays
• Exfoliation and polishing of teeth

A complete cleaning of the dog’s teeth should include dental x-rays of the entire mouth to detect disease and pathology below the gum line. Most veterinary clinics include this service in their dental cleaning fee, but some may skip this step or consider it optional for an additional fee.

Skipping x-rays during your vet visit can save you $100 or more on cleaning your dog’s teeth, but it could cost you more in the long run. Without x-rays, dogs with diseased teeth may go undetected at the dental exam and not receive treatment to stop the progression of the disease.

What is not included in the dog teeth cleaning cost?

Cleaning your dog’s teeth could cost more than the average $500 to $1,000 if your vet finds abnormalities in his oral exam or x-rays. Cracked teeth, loose teeth, root abscesses and periodontal pockets require treatments for an additional fee. Additional dog teeth cleaning costs may include:

• Pre-anesthetic health screening tests: Basic blood work costs about $75 to $150, but you could pay $500 or more if your pet needs additional tests before anesthesia.
• Tooth extractions: Single-rooted teeth are the least expensive to remove, but multi-rooted, large teeth require complex surgery and can cost $100 or more.
• Periodontal treatments: Costs for deep cleaning, root planing, gum flap surgery and antibiotic gel can vary depending on the number of teeth involved.
• Endodontics: A root canal performed by a veterinary dentist can cost $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth.

Vets prefer pets undergoing elective procedures such as dental cleanings to be up-to-date on vaccinations and other wellness procedures. You should factor the cost of cleaning your pet’s teeth into your annual expected veterinary expenses, which may also include:

According AAHA Guidelines, regular dental cleanings for dogs are recommended to prevent the pain, discomfort and long-term complications associated with periodontal disease, which begins early in life and progresses rapidly when left untreated. Although not required, these procedures are highly recommended and considered essential to your pet’s care.

Untreated periodontal disease causes pain, reduced quality of life, difficulty chewing, bad breath and tooth loss. Bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also spread systemically to vital organs – including the kidneys, liver and heart. Regular dental cleanings remove bacteria-laden plaque and tartar, protecting your dog for long-term health. The AVMA feels so strongly that dental care is vital to overall health that they donate annually dental health month to raise awareness among pet owners.

AAHA guidelines recommend that small breeds, which build up plaque and tartar more quickly than large breeds, have their first dental cleaning at 1 to 2 years of age. Large dogs can usually wait until they are 2 to 3 years old. The frequency of brushing after this will vary depending on your dog’s genetics, size and oral health.

However, veterinarians typically recommend that small dogs receive a dental cleaning every six to 12 months and large dogs receive a dental cleaning every one to two years. Your veterinarian will examine your pet’s teeth during annual wellness visits to determine their ideal dental cleaning schedule.

You can manage your pet’s dental health at home to extend the time between professional cleanings and prevent the onset of periodontal disease. Recommendations for dental care at home include:

• Brush your dog’s teeth daily using pet-safe toothpaste
• Use of dental products such as diets, chews, sprays, gels, wipes and water additives approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)to slow plaque and tartar build-up
• Schedule annual or semi-annual dental exams with your veterinarian

Professional dental cleanings for dogs are worth the cost because these procedures prevent and treat painful and health-threatening periodontal disease — universally regarded by veterinarians as a source of discomfort and reduced quality of life.

Many people notice that their dog acts like a “new pet” after a dental cleaning, most likely because their dog was silently suffering from oral pain. Dental cleaning also protects your pet’s organs from bacterial damage, effectively extending their lifespan.

Most pet accident and disease insurance plans do not cover dog teeth cleaning, as it is considered a wellness and preventative care procedure. Many companies offer wellness supplementscosting $10 to $50 per month, which reimburse you for the annual cost of cleaning the dog’s teeth.

Most providers itemize their wellness plans and typically only cover $100 to $150 for dental cleanings, although Embrace pet health insurance allows you to use your pet wellness coverage for dental procedures; more flexible and may be worth it for dogs that need cleaning every year.

Other options to help cover the costs associated with your dog’s dental care include:

• Pet Savings Account: Set aside money each month in an account dedicated to your pet’s well-being or unexpected expenses.
• Third Party Funding: CareCredit and Scratchpay are two companies that offer funding for veterinary care. Pet owners can apply quickly using a smart device.
• Wellness plans: Many veterinary hospitals offer wellness program packages for a monthly fee that provide services such as annual dental cleanings, vaccinations and office visits at a reduced cost.

While the average dog teeth cleaning cost ranges from $500 to $1,000 per event, this cost is well worth it to prevent the pain and health complications associated with periodontal disease. Pet insurance, veterinary hospital wellness plans, and third-party financing can help you budget for this necessary veterinary service.