Too young for teeth cleaning?

[larsensyorkies]

We took Violet in for her pre-spay appointment today and told the vet we were thinking of getting her teeth cleaned at the same time since she'd already be under. She's only a year and a half old and they aren't very bad, but I thought it was a good idea because Yorkies are so prone to bad teeth. However the vet said she recommended against it because she has seen other dogs get it done at a young age who end up having more problems with plaque building up faster as they get older. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

[Ellie May]

I have never heard that but I suppose it could be true.
I don't think I can agree with not getting it done even if it is true though because it seems like it would be saying, "My dogs teeth are clean and it can do more harm than good to start brushing them". So I don't know but this is interesting.

[Nancy1999]

It's funny you say this, because in humans some people have a natural barrier that is removed when their teeth are first cleaned. I can't remember the details, but some people never have a cavity their whole lives, until after first teeth cleaning as an adult. Now I don't know if the same would be true with tartar, but I would probably do what the vet recommended. Tooth brushing is very important though. I use Petzlife gel on Joey, it is supposed to be good from softening tartar, allowing you to brush it away, at another time.

[pagonzal]

Originally Posted by larsensyorkies

We took Violet in for her pre-spay appointment today and told the vet we were thinking of getting her teeth cleaned at the same time since she'd already be under. She's only a year and a half old and they aren't very bad, but I thought it was a good idea because Yorkies are so prone to bad teeth. However the vet said she recommended against it because she has seen other dogs get it done at a young age who end up having more problems with plaque building up faster as they get older. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

My vet had told me that too. It was suggested we wait until ours were 3. We have been using Petzlife gel, and their teeth look really good.

Pam

[Erin]

Sammy is 2 and I just had her teeth cleaned. She's had nasty breath since we got her when she was 10 months old. She had a decayed tooth that had to be removed and that must have been the problem because now her breath is totally normal. They told me to wait too but when we went in for her shots the vet completely agreed she needed it and I scheduled her for the following week.

If she needs it, I'd go for it. Maybe they are concerned about the length of time she will be under? Sammy has been under 3 times now (Spay, LP, Dental) and she comes out of it happy and hungry so I wasn't so worried this last time about it, but we love our vet.