Mixed Breed - 12 years old
A senior dog that has been through a lot in her life came to see me. They wanted an opinion on putting her under anesthesia because of one specific tooth in the back of her mouth. She was almost all blind and deaf but we managed to take the tartar down after 2 sittings.
There is still some tartar left on her teeth - there is no guarantee that all dental plaque and tartar can be removed - this depends on the dog’s temperament and most importantly on the condition of their teeth, gums, and mouth. In this specific case, some teeth already have signs of periodontal disease with recession of the surrounding gum, exposing more of the root. These parts are incredibly sensitive and can be painful - after cleaning they were referred to the vet for more examination. In the photographs, you can also see a clear sign of inflammation - redness in the gums.