You will need a professional cleaning when the tarter starts to build up. To prevent this in my dogs, I give them things to chew on such as hard bones and about every week I actually brush their teeth. They make special pet toothpaste. The one I use is beef flavored. I should do it more often but don't. Both my guys have beautiful teeth.

I guess I should add that Dixie is 4 1/2 years old and has never had a professional cleaning yet. I don't like the idea of them having to have anethesia just to get their teeth clean so I try and keep up with it!