Question(s) about teeth cleaning.

[ChrisH]

Thanks guys!

Randi, Bob and Ebbs say thanks for the scritches!

[Twisterdog]

I never brush my dogs' teeth. I also very rarely have them cleaned at the vet.

If they have to go under for something else, I'll have their teeth cleaned, but I've never done it just for teeth cleaning.

I feed only dry dog food, and I give them lots of dental chews. The vet techs are always commenting on how clean my dogs' teeth are, so it must be working!

Keito is getting a little tartar on his canine teeth, up by his gums, I noticed this week. However, he is at least sixteen years old and has had his teeth cleaned once in his life. I'm not going to get them cleaned now, poor old guy, no anesthetic for him now!

[ChrisH]

I never brush my dogs' teeth. I also very rarely have them cleaned at the vet.

If they have to go under for something else, I'll have their teeth cleaned, but I've never done it just for teeth cleaning.

I feed only dry dog food, and I give them lots of dental chews. The vet techs are always commenting on how clean my dogs' teeth are, so it must be working!

Keito is getting a little tartar on his canine teeth, up by his gums, I noticed this week. However, he is at least sixteen years old and has had his teeth cleaned once in his life. I'm not going to get them cleaned now, poor old guy, no anesthetic for him now!

I've never done so before with any dog I've had that's why I asked about how often etc ... sorry, tell a lie, I did attempt it at one time on my RB Shepard, Penny, but she was so awkward about it I gave up.

I feed only dry food and give Bob dental chews too and Bob's teeth were in good condition for his age, nearly 11, which I put down to just that. The reasons I got his teeth looked at was twofold. He has mild gingervitus and one of the back ones looked as if it could need taking out, given his age if he need to go under anaesthesia I preferred it to be now rather than later. As it turned out the tooth was just blackened with tartar, so of course they were all cleaned while he was under.

Except in very serious circumstances I won't risk his being anaesthetised again, so I thought it would be a good idea to try and keep his teeth as clean as possible, brushing as well as the dry food and dental chews.

ps There is product available that is helpful too, it is called 'Plaque Off' which you just add to food, a small amount at that.

[Randi]

Chris, I forgot to mention I sprinkle a little 'Plaque Off' on Fister's food also - when he has wet food. I think it works.

[ChrisH]

Randi, it was you who gave the heads-up about Plaque Off, a long while ago now. I think you had taken Fister for a dental and the vet or nurse recommended it?

[bckrazy]

When Gonzo was around 4 years old, I was considering getting a dental for him, because he had a cracked molar that was collecting tons of plaque and it was plaquey along his gumline. I spent AT LEAST $10/week on dental chews, and I brushed his teeth daily. The plaque still inevitably kept gathering.

Once I started feeding raw bones regularly, Gonzo's teeth were instantly white again, even that awkwardly cracked molar. When I have to go through periods of feeding just kibble, I supplement with good raw meaty bones, like turkey necks/wings, chicken carcasses, lamb shanks, etc. Knuckle bones are AMAZING for keeping teeth clean... all of that cartilege and tendons are nature's toothbrush. One or two knuckle bones a month keep their teeth plaque-free, which is no more than $3. It's easy, healthy, and good mental/physical stimulation for dogs.

Gonzo did chip one of his tiny bottom front teeth 6 or so years ago... I think it was on a hard frisbee, or a sterilized/cooked bone. The Vet said it would fall out, but it still hasn't, and it's a bit discolored. I really want to get it pulled but my Vet is very hesitant to do it because she says he does NOT need a dental at all, and they would have to put him under to pull it. She wants me to wait until he does need a dental, but I doubt that the day he does will ever come.

[ChrisH]

Yep, bones work really well, if not being the best way at keeping teeth clean. I used to regularly give each of my RB dogs raw bones but unfortunately I can't give them to Bob, at least the bigger ones. He gets too territorial and obsesses over them, anyone really runs the risk of getting badly bitten on getting too near.

I hope Gonzo's tooth does fall out so he does not need surgery to remove.