Quote Originally Posted by Twisterdog View Post
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.