How often do dogs need professional dental cleanings?

Most dogs need a professional dental cleaning once a year. Small breeds, brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs), and dogs with a history of dental disease may need cleanings every 6 months. Large breeds with consistent home care routines may be able to go 18 months between cleanings. Your vet is the best judge of your individual dog's schedule.

Do dogs have to be put under anesthesia for a dental cleaning?

Yes — general anesthesia is required for a safe, thorough professional dental cleaning. Anesthesia allows the vet to safely scale below the gum line, take full-mouth X-rays, and assess and treat disease that isn't visible on the surface. Anesthesia-free cleanings only address visible tooth surfaces and are not considered adequate by veterinary dental specialists.

At what age should dogs start getting professional dental cleanings?

Most vets recommend a first professional dental cleaning by age 2-3 for small breeds, and by age 3-4 for large breeds. Some small breeds with rapid tartar buildup may need their first cleaning as early as 18 months. Starting early allows your vet to establish a baseline and catch disease before it progresses.

How can I reduce how often my dog needs professional dental cleanings?

Consistent home care is the most effective way to slow tartar accumulation between professional cleanings. Daily brushing is ideal — even 3-4 times per week provides meaningful plaque control. Dental wipes, VOHC-approved dental chews, and water additives all help supplement brushing. Dogs with strong home care routines typically have less severe disease at each cleaning and may be able to extend the interval between visits.

How much does a professional dog dental cleaning cost?

Professional dog dental cleanings typically range from $300 to $700 depending on your location, the size of your dog, whether extractions are needed, and the cost of pre-anesthetic bloodwork and X-rays. Dogs with advanced dental disease requiring multiple extractions can cost significantly more. Regular home care and annual cleanings help prevent the more expensive interventions that come with advanced periodontal disease.

How Often Should Dogs Get Their Teeth Professionally Cleaned?

May 4, 2026

Veterinarian performing a professional dental cleaning on a dog in a veterinary clinic

Professional dental cleanings are one of the most important — and most overlooked — aspects of dog health care. Most dog owners know they should happen, but far fewer know how often, what they involve, or why they can't be skipped even when home care is consistent.

This guide answers all of it.

The Short Answer

Most dogs need a professional dental cleaning once a year. Some dogs — particularly small breeds, brachycephalic breeds, and dogs with a history of dental disease — may need cleanings every six months. A few large-breed dogs with excellent home care routines may go 18 months between cleanings. Your vet is the best judge of your individual dog's needs.

Why Professional Cleanings Are Necessary

Home care — brushing, dental wipes, chews — removes plaque before it hardens. But no home care method removes tartar (calculus) once it has formed. Tartar bonds to the tooth surface and can only be safely removed with professional ultrasonic scaling equipment.

More importantly, the most damaging dental disease happens below the gum line — where you can't see it and home care can't reach it. Professional cleanings include subgingival scaling (cleaning below the gum line) and dental X-rays to assess bone loss, root health, and hidden disease. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, a visual oral exam alone misses a significant percentage of dental pathology — X-rays are essential for a complete picture.

What Happens During a Professional Dog Dental Cleaning

A professional dental cleaning (also called a COHAT — Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) involves:

General anesthesia — required for a safe, thorough cleaning. Anesthesia-free cleanings only address visible surfaces and are not considered adequate by veterinary dental specialists.
Full mouth dental X-rays — to assess roots, bone levels, and disease below the gum line
Supragingival scaling — removal of tartar above the gum line
Subgingival scaling — removal of tartar and bacteria below the gum line, where periodontal disease originates
Polishing — smooths the tooth surface to slow future plaque adhesion
Oral exam and charting — assessment of each tooth, gum pocket depth, and any extractions needed

Factors That Affect How Often Your Dog Needs a Cleaning

Breed and Size

Small and toy breeds (Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus) are significantly more prone to dental disease than large breeds. Their teeth are crowded into a smaller jaw, creating more surface area for plaque to accumulate and less space for natural cleaning. Many small breeds need cleanings every 6 months starting at age 2-3.

Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers) also have crowded, misaligned teeth that trap food and plaque more readily than straight-toothed breeds.

Age

Dental disease progresses with age. Senior dogs (7+ for large breeds, 5+ for small breeds) typically need more frequent monitoring and cleaning. Annual cleanings become especially important as dogs age, even if they seemed fine skipping one when younger.

Home Care Consistency

Dogs with consistent daily brushing routines accumulate tartar more slowly and may be able to extend the interval between professional cleanings. Dogs with no home care routine typically need more frequent professional intervention.

History of Dental Disease

Dogs diagnosed with periodontal disease at Stage 2 or above are at higher risk of rapid progression. These dogs typically need 6-month recheck cleanings until the disease is stabilized.

Signs It's Time for a Cleaning (Don't Wait for the Annual)

Visible yellow or brown tartar buildup
Persistent bad breath
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Difficulty chewing or dropping food
Pawing at the mouth
Loose teeth

If you notice any of these signs between scheduled cleanings, don't wait — schedule an exam. Early intervention is always less expensive and less invasive than treating advanced disease.

What About Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleanings?

Anesthesia-free dental cleanings — offered at some grooming salons and pet stores — only clean the visible surfaces of the teeth. They cannot safely scale below the gum line, cannot take X-rays, and cannot assess or treat the disease that causes the most damage. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Dental College both advise against anesthesia-free cleanings as a substitute for professional veterinary dental care.

At-home tools like the Dr. Milou Professional Ultrasonic Tartar Remover can help reduce surface tartar buildup between vet visits — but they are a supplement to professional cleanings, not a replacement.

How to Prepare Your Dog for a Dental Cleaning

Fast as directed — your vet will give specific fasting instructions before anesthesia
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork — recommended for all dogs, required for seniors, to ensure safe anesthesia
Discuss medications — let your vet know about any supplements or medications your dog takes
Plan for recovery — most dogs are groggy for a few hours post-procedure and may prefer soft food for a day or two if extractions were performed

Between Cleanings: Build a Home Care Routine

Professional cleanings are most effective when supported by consistent home care. The goal is to slow plaque accumulation between visits — reducing the severity of disease your vet finds at each cleaning and potentially extending the interval between them.

We carry the full Dr. Milou dental care line to support your dog's daily oral health: