Teeth-cleaning offers many health benefits

Q: My veterinarian has recommended getting my dog's teeth cleaned, and I would appreciate your opinion on this procedure. Is it really necessary? He claims it is preventive health, but it involves putting my dog under anesthesia, and that always worries me. Do you do this with your dogs? — J.M., via e-mail A: Yes, my own dogs are subject to periodic dental cleanings, and I am a believer in them as important preventive medicine for three reasons.

Healthy teeth and gums are important to . pets and people both. First, your pet needs to eat. Broken teeth and rotting gums make eating very difficult and painful, and anything to prevent such an outcome is desirable in my book. When I was doing animal-rescue work, I can't tell you how many pets came in with mouths that caused them a great deal of pain, the result of years of dental neglect.

Second, when gums get infected, your pet is constantly showering internal organs with some nasty bacteria. Over time, this is a grave challenge to your pet's immune system and may lead to some serious health problems.

Finally, there's the cleanliness issue. I live with my pets inside the house. They are family who share beds, furniture and lots of affection. Bad teeth and gums smell awful and make close interactions less than pleasant.

Anesthesia is indeed a concern, but it's a lot safer than it used to be. You can make it even safer by following your veterinarian's instructions exactly, especially when it comes to withholding food and water before anesthesia. Older pets may require some tests beforehand, such as a blood workup and possibly a chest X-ray.

Once your dog has had her teeth cleaned, you can keep them that way — and extend the period of time between cleanings — by brushing her teeth regularly.