Yorkie's Teeth - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

natalie · 03-13-2005, 08:02 PM

I know this is a silly question, but coming from a first-time Yorkie owner, I didn't think it would be all too newbie.

I am reading all these posts, and one question remains. How do you go about brushing a dog's teeth? Do you just force his mouth open and brush?
And also, at what age can you start brushing? My Fred is 10 weeks old. I'm about to go buy him Greenies tomorrow as a treat and hopefully start early with the tooth-cleaning process.

I have a hard enough time giving him a bath because he shakes so much and I'm scared he might be cold! I can't even imagine how much I'll struggle with just brushing his teeth too!

lilbumbleybees · 03-13-2005, 08:59 PM

Yorkies are expensive, she's absolutely right, BUT did she give them proper dental care their whole lives. Little dogs are known for having more problems with their teeth IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. Have your Yorkie's teeth cleaned by a vet 2-3 times a year. Bounce has his done three times a year. On top of that, I brush his teeth every morning and he gets a greenie 3 times a week. It's all about proper care. If they're taken care of, it's not that bad. Teddie (my store owner's Yorkie) is 10 now I believe and he has perfect teeth b/c he gets them cleaned regularly. So it's all in how well you take care of them. Hope that helps! Don't let her scare you too much.

lilbumbleybees · 03-13-2005, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natalie

I know this is a silly question, but coming from a first-time Yorkie owner, I didn't think it would be all too newbie.

I am reading all these posts, and one question remains. How do you go about brushing a dog's teeth? Do you just force his mouth open and brush?
And also, at what age can you start brushing? My Fred is 10 weeks old. I'm about to go buy him Greenies tomorrow as a treat and hopefully start early with the tooth-cleaning process.

I have a hard enough time giving him a bath because he shakes so much and I'm scared he might be cold! I can't even imagine how much I'll struggle with just brushing his teeth too!

Get him started now on the brushing. That way he won't be so difficult with it when he's older. Just use your fingers to open his mouth (like the vet does when checking their mouths) and put the toothbrush in there (I use a child' toothbrush, easier on his small mouth) and go to town, gently. lol I use Burt's Bees all natural toothpaste. It's safe to swallow AND it doesn't smell like meat or poultry like those nasty doggie toothpastes do. Plus, it's all natural so you're not putting anything bad into your baby's system. Good luck!

Samc · 03-14-2005, 10:30 AM

Bailey just had that done. His vet took blood a couple of days before and he went under to have some baby teeth pulled that never fell out and also to have his teeth cleaned, his ears cleaned and checked (he had a yeast infection). He also had a fluoride treatment. He did fine.

I brush his teeth EVERY night before bed. I started when he was about 3 months and kept it up since. He is pretty used to it. Have a vet assistant or an experienced groomer show you how to brush. It can be a pleasant experience for them if you take your time and start out slowly, lots of praise, etc. gradually extending the brushing from a few seconds to a minute. A minute is really all it takes eventually.

Good luck.

Samc

mybirdys2003 · 03-14-2005, 01:37 PM

AT first, I used a gauze strip, and rubbed her gums with tooth past on it. Then I graduated to the brush. Like she said above, just a few swipes at first, and eventually they let you do the whole mouth. Mine still hates the front ones done, but we are getting there!

Sidney · 03-15-2005, 07:12 AM

I have a yorkie who turned 14 this month. I took her in a couple of weeks ago to have her teeth cleaned and they did have to pull one. I never brushed them because I didn't know you had to...know so much more now. She did ok. I think probably what has saved her teeth is she loves to chew on things.

03-13-2005, 08:59 PM	#32
lilbumbleybees YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,339	Yorkies are expensive, she's absolutely right, BUT did she give them proper dental care their whole lives. Little dogs are known for having more problems with their teeth IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. Have your Yorkie's teeth cleaned by a vet 2-3 times a year. Bounce has his done three times a year. On top of that, I brush his teeth every morning and he gets a greenie 3 times a week. It's all about proper care. If they're taken care of, it's not that bad. Teddie (my store owner's Yorkie) is 10 now I believe and he has perfect teeth b/c he gets them cleaned regularly. So it's all in how well you take care of them. Hope that helps! Don't let her scare you too much. __________________ Liz Little Lotte , Bouncer, Lilli , Yodi

03-13-2005, 08:02 PM	#31
natalie Owned by Fred Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,352	I know this is a silly question, but coming from a first-time Yorkie owner, I didn't think it would be all too newbie. I am reading all these posts, and one question remains. How do you go about brushing a dog's teeth? Do you just force his mouth open and brush? And also, at what age can you start brushing? My Fred is 10 weeks old. I'm about to go buy him Greenies tomorrow as a treat and hopefully start early with the tooth-cleaning process. I have a hard enough time giving him a bath because he shakes so much and I'm scared he might be cold! I can't even imagine how much I'll struggle with just brushing his teeth too!

03-14-2005, 10:30 AM	#34
Samc Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 116	Bailey just had that done. His vet took blood a couple of days before and he went under to have some baby teeth pulled that never fell out and also to have his teeth cleaned, his ears cleaned and checked (he had a yeast infection). He also had a fluoride treatment. He did fine. I brush his teeth EVERY night before bed. I started when he was about 3 months and kept it up since. He is pretty used to it. Have a vet assistant or an experienced groomer show you how to brush. It can be a pleasant experience for them if you take your time and start out slowly, lots of praise, etc. gradually extending the brushing from a few seconds to a minute. A minute is really all it takes eventually. Good luck. Samc

03-14-2005, 01:37 PM	#35
mybirdys2003 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 980	AT first, I used a gauze strip, and rubbed her gums with tooth past on it. Then I graduated to the brush. Like she said above, just a few swipes at first, and eventually they let you do the whole mouth. Mine still hates the front ones done, but we are getting there!

03-15-2005, 07:12 AM	#36
Sidney YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 514	I have a yorkie who turned 14 this month. I took her in a couple of weeks ago to have her teeth cleaned and they did have to pull one. I never brushed them because I didn't know you had to...know so much more now. She did ok. I think probably what has saved her teeth is she loves to chew on things.