Please reach us at radiantroverdental@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
It’s totally normal to wonder if your dog will cooperate during a teeth cleaning—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But don’t worry! We use a variety of gentle, dog-centered techniques to help every pup feel calm, safe, and comfortable. From proper greetings and soothing tones to patience, belly rubs, and relaxing massage techniques, it’s all about creating a positive experience. And if your dog isn’t feeling it that day and we can’t complete the cleaning, there’s no charge—so it’s always worth a try!
Each appointment begins with an introduction between the teeth cleaner and the dog, followed by getting them settled on a supportive bed. Smaller dogs are swaddled like a baby and comfortably positioned on their back, supported by the cleaner’s legs on either side. For larger dogs, an assistant helps gently guide them onto their back, ensuring they remain safe and at ease throughout the process. There’s always someone close by for belly rubs and extra reassurance
After a brief assessment of the teeth, the crowns are manually scaled using human-grade dental instruments, carefully removing plaque and tartar from both the tongue-facing (inside) and cheek-facing (outside) surfaces. Once scaling is complete, the teeth are gently polished with a fluoride-free, flavourless polish.
At the end of the appointment, a detailed email report is sent to the client, outlining all observations made during the cleaning. Loyalty stamps are also tracked in this report. If any areas of concern are noted, it’s recommended that pet parents follow up with their veterinarian, as these services are not medical or diagnostic in nature.
Your dog’s comfort and well-being always come first. If anything unusual is noticed—like loose or broken teeth, gum recession, swelling, bleeding, signs of fluid/discharge, or anything else that raises concern—we may recommend that you skip the cleaning and visit your veterinarian for a medical assessment instead. In these cases, there’s absolutely no charge for the visit. Any areas of concern will be clearly noted in your dog’s report so you can share it with your vet and take the next best step for their care.
At the end of each cleaning, your pup’s teeth are gently polished using a prophy paste—just like the kind used by human hygienists, but specially selected with dogs in mind. The polish is free of both fluoride and flavoring, as these ingredients can be harmful to dogs. To keep things calm and stress-free, polishing is done manually using a disposable toothbrush—no loud tools or scary vibrations here, just gentle care and a radiant finish.
The cleaning methods used at Radiant Rover are highly effective at removing plaque and tartar from the crowns of the teeth and noticeably freshening your pup’s breath! We take great pride in the quality of each cleaning—clients can expect results just like the before-and-after photos shared on our social media.
That said, there are cases where not all tartar can be removed or breath freshened to the degree a client might hope for—especially when there are signs of gum recession, exposed roots, or excessive tooth mobility. These limitations will always be discussed before starting the cleaning. If we’re unable to move forward with the cleaning, there’s absolutely no charge for the visit or visual assessment.
To maintain those fresh breath and sparkling results, daily brushing at home is essential. Without it, even a professional or medical cleaning will only offer short-term results. Your dog’s radiant smile starts here—but it continues with you!
Dogs are incredibly resilient when it comes to healing and adapting—especially after dental extractions. Even pups with few or no teeth often continue to enjoy chewing and can live completely normal, happy lives! Some simple dietary adjustments may be needed, but they’re usually easy to manage. Soft options like a raw diet can be ideal, but if that’s not your thing, canned food or soaked kibble (with water or pet-safe broth) are great alternatives.
What matters most is that any extractions performed are in your dog’s best interest—addressing pain, infection, or disease and ultimately helping them live a longer, healthier, and happier life.
In anesthesia-free teeth cleaning, we’re able to gently clean along the natural gumline—but we do not clean below it. Cleaning under the gums (subgingival cleaning) is considered veterinary medicine and must be done by a veterinarian under general anesthesia.
During our cleanings, tartar is safely removed from the tooth surface and just along the gumline. Because the gum tissue is soft and pliable, it can be carefully moved to reach tartar in the shallow natural overhang (about 1–2mm). This process is not painful and helps reduce buildup in the most visible areas.
Veterinary dental cleanings under anesthesia are medical procedures performed in a clinic. They include diagnostics and treatments like x-rays, subgingival cleaning, pocket measurements, tooth repairs, and extractions—far more than just a “teeth cleaning.”
Anesthesia-free cleanings, on the other hand, are non-medical, hygienic services that focus on removing visible plaque and tartar to keep your dog’s mouth fresh between vet visits. While we can often see and chart outward abnormalities more clearly than during a quick exam, nothing observed is diagnostic. Instead, our detailed reports help pet parents and veterinarians make informed decisions about future care if needed.
Brushing is the gold standard for maintaining your dog’s oral health at home—nothing beats it! It’s the most effective way to prevent plaque buildup, keep breath fresh, and support healthier teeth and gums. Even if it takes time, we highly recommend introducing a brushing routine and sticking with it until it becomes a habit.
When brushing isn’t possible, the next best option is offering natural chews. Chewing helps stimulate the gums and disrupt bacteria before it can stick to the teeth. We suggest choosing single-ingredient, natural options like bully sticks or dried tendons, which strike a healthy balance on the chew-hardness scale and reduce the risk of dental damage.
You can also enhance your dog’s oral routine with safe supplements like cranberry extract, colloidal silver, or kelp extract. Just be sure to consult your vet if your dog has any health conditions or you’re unsure about a product’s safety. The companies who make these products are often the best source for detailed guidance.
Other great additions to your routine include gently wiping your dog’s teeth and gums with a damp cloth and using vet-approved water additives.
With consistency and care, you can support a fresher, healthier mouth between professional cleanings.
Virgin coconut oil is a fantastic natural option for brushing your dog’s teeth—and most pups love the taste! It’s the same kind you’ll find at the grocery store, as long as it’s pure and fit for human consumption. Just be sure to read the label to avoid any unwanted additives. Coconut oil isn’t just tasty—it also has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can support oral health.
There are also many pet-safe toothpastes available at local pet stores in fun, dog-approved flavors. But the #1 rule? Never use human toothpaste. Ingredients like fluoride and certain sweeteners can be extremely toxic to dogs. Stick to products made just for them, and you’ll be brushing with confidence and care.
A thin, medium-sized towel is used to gently swaddle dogs before their cleaning. The process begins with the dog sitting and facing away from their cleaner. The towel is placed across their back and wrapped around their body with light pressure, securing their front legs inside.
Swaddling helps create a sense of calm and containment, preventing their paws from getting in the way during the cleaning. By limiting arm movement in a gentle, secure way, dogs are more likely to settle in comfortably—making the experience smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.
Many dogs with health concerns or past injuries tolerate anesthesia-free cleanings very well, thanks to the gentle, low-stress approach. That said, if a pup has a serious medical condition, we always recommend checking with their veterinarian first. It’s important that a medical professional gives the green light—especially when considering the dog’s overall health, stress levels, and the position they’ll be in during the cleaning.
When booking for a dog with known health issues, we encourage open conversation beforehand so we can make the experience as safe and comfortable as possible. And of course, if for any reason the cleaning can’t be completed, there’s no charge for the visit.
As with any hands-on pet service—like grooming—there are some risks involved with anesthesia-free teeth cleaning. While safety is always the top priority and injuries are extremely rare when performed correctly, working with sharp instruments on awake dogs does come with some potential risks. These may include minor cuts, abrasions, stress-related reactions, allergic responses, or discomfort from lying on their back.
Another consideration is that clean-looking teeth may make it harder for a vet to spot underlying dental issues during a quick exam, such as gum redness, recession, or loose teeth. That’s why it’s so important to clearly document and share anything noticed during the cleaning.
At Radiant Rover Dental, we provide detailed reports—and when possible, photos or videos—to help pet parents and veterinarians stay fully informed. Transparency supports the best possible care.
Plaque is a soft film of bacteria that naturally forms on your dog’s teeth. If not removed, it hardens over time into tartar (also known as calculus). In dogs, plaque is more likely to lead to gum disease than cavities—making daily brushing essential. Brushing helps clear away that gingivitis-causing bacteria before it becomes something more stubborn and long-term. A little daily care goes a long way in keeping those tails wagging and smiles shining!
Tartar forms when plaque mixes with the natural salts and minerals in a dog’s mouth and hardens (a process called calcification). It’s rough and porous, creating the perfect hiding place for more bacteria to grow. Once tartar sticks to the teeth, it can’t be brushed away—it must be removed with a dental instrument. Tartar is a major trigger for gum disease and other periodontal issues, which is why regular cleanings and at-home care are so important.
Although it is less common, dogs can develop issues with tooth decay. It is less prevalent because the bacteria that thrive in dogs’ mouths are not the kind that causes cavities.