Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Having your dog’s tooth extracted can cost more than you expect. Additionally, your dog will have to undergo anesthesia and discomfort.
Taking care of your dog’s teeth can help reduce the risk they’ll ever need to have a tooth pulled.
Using Yummy CombsⓇ supports your dog’s oral health and even removes up to 25% of hardened plaque from teeth, helping fight tooth decay that could lead to an extraction.
If your dogs are like our dogs, they don’t love visits to the veterinarian, no matter how many cubes of cheese or treats the vet might offer them. Even though our dogs are smart, they lack the fundamental understanding that a visit to the vet is in their best interest, so they become fearful and sometimes aggressive.
Most pet owners are also not thrilled about vet visits. Even with the availability of pet insurance, costs for veterinary care can quickly add up. Not to mention, your dog has an uncanny ability to develop health problems right around the holidays or while you’re away from them on a trip.
Thankfully, there are some veterinary costs that we can help our dogs (and our bank accounts) avoid. One very costly service your veterinarian offers is dental care.
Dental care is essential for your dog’s teeth and overall health and wellness. Dental extractions, a process of tooth removal when a tooth has decayed, can quickly cost hundreds of dollars and place your pet in an uncomfortable situation.
We’ll explain how much you can expect to pay for a tooth extraction, what the process will be like for your dog, and what you can do to help reduce the risk of ever needing this service.
Depending on the severity and complexity of the tooth extraction itself, you can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $2,500.00. Removal of your dog’s tooth can cost you thousands of dollars, and you probably have not allocated for this expense. The reason the cost is so high is because of the additional services needed to access and remove the tooth.
Your dog will need to be placed under anesthesia to have their tooth removed. This is standard procedure even for canine teeth cleaning. This is done to keep your dog comfortable and to make sure the veterinarian and their team members are safe while working on your pet.
Anesthesia can range from $200 to $300 depending on how long your dog will need to be under for the extraction, and whether or not they will need x-rays and a dental cleaning (usually recommended) at the same time.
No one likes to think of their pet being uncomfortable, and pain medication is necessary to keep your dog pain-free after the tooth has been removed. In some cases, you’ll be given a prescription to give your dog prior to the extraction, especially if the tooth being removed is causing pain or has abscessed. Pain medication may cost between $20 and $80.
After a tooth has been extracted, a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to help ensure the area does not become infected. This medication will also cost between $20 and $80, depending on the length of time your dog needs to take it.
Before your dog can have anesthesia administered, they’ll need to have bloodwork done to ensure they are in good health and able to tolerate the anesthesia healthfully. This cost averages about $100 to $150.
If the veterinarian discovers illnesses when the bloodwork comes back, you may incur additional fees for antibiotics or medications. You may also have to shelve the tooth extraction until your dog is well.
Before the tooth is extracted, your dog will need an x-ray so that the veterinarian can determine the length of the root and inspect the gums to ensure there is no infection. X-rays are pricey, and depending on where you go and how many X-rays are needed, you could spend upwards of $500 on X-rays.
The extraction of the tooth itself usually isn’t very costly, typically about $50 to $100 per tooth. For larger teeth or teeth that are fractured, the cost may be more significant. Additionally, a nerve block may be needed to help keep your dog comfortable immediately after the extraction. If your dog needs a nerve block, that will come at an additional cost.
Assuming your dog’s extraction is related to tooth decay and not injury, your dog’s veterinarian will likely suggest a routine cleaning. Most dogs need routine dental cleanings at least once per year, but some smaller breeds that are prone to periodontal disease will need more frequent cleanings. A dental cleaning will remove plaque and tartar on the surface of your dog’s teeth as well as beneath the gum line.
The costs of an extraction can place a financial burden on you, and an emotional and painful burden on your pet. Knowing some of the main reasons your dog may need a tooth extracted can help you avoid them.
Dogs, like humans, get two sets of teeth in their lifetimes. The first set of baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth) fall out by the time most dogs are nine months of age. The permanent teeth that follow need to last the rest of their lives.
When teeth become decayed or damaged, they’ll likely need to have them pulled. While dental implants and crowns are an option for dogs, most owners decide against these procedures because they are highly invasive, extremely costly, and require the services of a specialized canine veterinary dentist.
Here are some reasons why your dog may need to have a tooth removed.
If your dog is an aggressive chewer, biter, or rough-houser, there is a chance they could chip or damage a tooth to the extent it would need an extraction. This can also happen if you have more than one dog in your home. If both dogs play together aggressively, there’s a chance for an accident that could involve a chipped or broken tooth.
Just because a chew toy is available on a store shelf doesn’t mean it is safe for your pet. Many chew toys are simply too hard for your dog’s teeth and gums. Look for chew toys that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval. These chew toys have been tested to ensure they are safe for your dog’s mouth.
Also, it’s important to make sure the size and shape of your dog’s favorite chew toys are appropriate. If your dog can’t easily carry the toy horizontally in its mouth, it isn’t a good fit for your dog.
Just like humans, dog’s teeth can get cavities and decay. If left untreated, dental decay can lead to pain, extractions, and even gum disease.
Gum disease is a big deal for dogs because it has been directly linked to system illness and a decline in heart, liver, and kidney health. Making sure your dog’s teeth are properly cared for can help you reduce the risk of them ever needing an extraction or becoming unnecessarily ill.
Neither you nor your dog wants a tooth extraction, and by taking care of your dog’s teeth at home, you can significantly reduce the risk they’ll ever need to have a tooth pulled. It starts by brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Tooth brushing removes plaque that can lead to tartar and helps keep your dog’s teeth clean and their breath neutral.
Another way to promote oral health at home is by offering your dog Yummy Combs, the only treat that is proven to remove up to 25% of hardened tartar from the teeth. Yummy Combs’
unique shape provides 360-degree scrubbing on every surface of your dog’s teeth while simultaneously flossing between teeth to avoid pesky cavities in those areas.
Yummy Combs are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, not only because they are effective in keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, but because they are safe for your dog to chew and enjoy. The wide design prevents gulping, and the thin walls dissolve easily, mitigating choking or gastrointestinal distress.
We combine effectiveness, safety, and nutrition to make Yummy Combs a treat your dog will love and you’ll feel good about giving them. Our dental treats are made with 44% chicken protein and 12 longevity-based ingredients to keep your dog’s entire body nourished and healthy.
Your dog’s teeth need to last their entire lives, and an extraction means they have one less tooth for chewing, fetching, and eating. Take care of your dog’s teeth by brushing daily, getting regular check-ups, and offering Yummy Combs dental treats to support oral health.
Sources:
How much does it cost to remove a dog’s tooth? | Better Pet.com
How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth and Why It’s So Important | American Kennel Club.com
Veterinary Oral Health Council | AVDC.org
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
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