Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?

Ok, I know that McDougal, my Papillion is not a Big Paw, but I need advice! He is 6 years old and has a lot of tarter build up, despite all the bones he chews, etc.  His breath has become atrocious! I mean, really offensive.  Our vet offers teeth cleaning, but McDougal would need to be put under for this procedure, which makes me very nervous.  Has anyone had this done? Any alternatives to cleaning his teeth?  We have tried dog toothpaste, brushing, etc., but it doesn't work.  Will tarter cause tooth loss?  THnaks.

Yeah, if his breath is really bad, I think the dental sounds like a good idea. Better to do it now before things get any worse. We have had our terrier's teeth cleaned by the vet and they really look fantastic now, he's 7 years old. All my other guys have pretty nice looking teeth, and I am a dental pick addict so any time a dog is lounging I will check their teeth. Just yesterday I cleaned Sammy and Leeloo's teeth with the pick, they are really good about it and it is amazing to see the stuff flake off. You can get those picks at Kroger or Walmart.

Good luck!!

I had my springer Stoli's teeth cleaned at the vet she was about 7 or 8 years old.  I was a nervous wreck but she did fine.  We tried to brush her teeth after that to keep them clean but she didn't want any part of it.

It was good for her; she smelled alot better and since we were hoping she would live to an old age we thought we best take good care of her teeth.  Generally a dog will only need it once in there life.  (Unless they have periodontal problems).

I'd also say go for it.  Being a smaller dog, he will be more prone to yucky teeth and gingivitis.  I recently had my Chihuahua mix's and my Dane's teeth cleaned.  This was Choo-Choo's, the Chi mix, second dental in about 6 months.  Her fourth in 3 or 4 years.  She just naturally has bad teeth, but I'm trying even harder than ever to keep them clean now because I really don't want to have to put her under again.

I probably won't have to do Brutus' teeth again because he will let me scrape them w/out anesthisa, but they had gotten past the yucky point because I was slacking on my part.

Dental hygene is just as important for pets as it is for people.  If left alone, tarter leads to gengivitis which can lead to infection.  Nasty bacteria can cause septicemia which can lead to organ damage.

After the dental, it is important to keep the teeth as clean as possible to avoid having to do another (I need to practice what I preach  ) by regular brushing, and allowing the dog to chew on safe items such as raw recreational bones, compressed rawhides, or pizzles.

Adorable papillion!

We had our mini schnauzer's teeth cleaned at the vet, he was an old guy but did fine.  Minis are prone to nasty tartar buildup and I can't imagine picking clean their teeth, but I do try to brush several times a week now.