I used to brush religiously...while it helped and put some dentals off for a bit (2 - 3 months perhaps), it did not totally prevent the need for dentals. Again, let me say, the magical word, GENETICS. Some pups don't need dentals as often, but my experience has been that most yorkies DO need them.

Ya I couldn't see it helping “that” much! In fact that is what DH said to me.. if I brushed it might give us a couple months. I agree with you it comes to genetics. Peanut is def one of those dogs where the tarter builds up faster than most, and needs dentals. I’m always on top of his teeth, just because I don’t brush doesn't mean I don’t pay attention. I’m always looking at his teeth, keeping an eye on the tarter. I always feared my dog loosing teeth for some reason. Knowing the health problems Yorkies have with their teeth. I always make it a point to schedule his dentals when the Vet tells me he needs it, luckily I have a wonderful Vet who will only tell me when he NEEDS it LOL. A couple of times I have told the vet he needs a dental and he will come back and say no we can wait a month or so. :D

Hi, at the risk of getting caught in the crossfire, the studies reported in this link basically compare food that has been cooked to death (by canning) compared to foods that are cooked a short period of time (say, by baking). Brief cooking times are not going to destroy significant amounts of essential amino acids. I would not feed raw pork to man or beast. As far as bones go, many (but not all) Yorkies have dental problems and would be at risk for cracked teeth if given bones. It might be fine for some people, but I'm not going to give my Bella animal bones...

I've had dogs go to the vet with no plaque build up. But i still take them to get there teeth cleaned every year. Brushing is the best ime

Brushing over dental procedures?

I think brushing is helpful in stimulating blood flow in the gums, even if it doesn't prevent all tartar. (if only my boys would let me use the Sonicare on them!)

Deanna, if you can't get a brush in Peanut's mouth, wrap some gauze around your finger and brush that way, rubbing in circles along the gumline too. I use both toothbrush and gauze.

I do think raw helps teeth, but I still have no interest in feeding it.

I also think brushing makes a huge difference. Jackson had a dental in Oct. 2011 and I brushed religiously after that for about a year. They were doing great. Then, I got really lazy and just kinda ended up stopping all together... months of not brushing, and I was amazed at how quickly the plaque built up! :eek: If I don't brush at least every 2-3 days, I notice a big difference.

In April of this year, he had another dental cleaning. And this time I am truly making a vow to keep up with it. It's just not worth putting him through a dental again anytime soon- it was extremely stressful for him (but necessary, IMO). If I would've kept up with brushing, etc, I probably could've went 4+ years without another one, but because I stopped, he needed another 2 years later. Thankfully his teeth are pretty strong though and in good condition- I preferred to do it then before letting them get worse. No teeth needed to be pulled.

But I think dental health is so important, it's one thing I'm a stickler for. We use Wysong Dentatreat per our vet's recommendation and sprinkle it on his food. I also have HealthyMouth and Petzlife. I don't think automatically getting dentals every year is necessary for EVERY dog, but some will need it.

If you read it I brush everyday but still have his teeth cleaned every year. Only once with Moki so far but the same with my previous dogs. No or hardly any stains on his teeth. I probably just didn't explain myself properly. I'm a Man what more would you expect :)

Yup at least 2-3 times a week is a must

I have a "doggy dentist" who will come to your house and clean their teeth without anesthia. I was skeptical about how my dogs would tolerate it but they did great. He charges $60-100, including antibiotics. PM if you would like his number in so cal.

I know a lot of people who "gently" cook their foods in order to feel comfortable about feeding meats to their dog. Some feel better about rehydrating a dehydrated food also.
Genetics keeps popping up and I'm no scientist or DNA specialist so I can neither prove nor deny that claim. What I can most definitely say without a shadow of a doubt as I have experienced it first hand, I brushed Teegy's teeth every day when he was on kibble and he got plaque. The chewing of a raw meaty bone of any kind actually does push the gums up and cleans all along and under the gum line, his teeth have never been cleaner. I have a friend who had an older dog who switched him to raw due to joint health and concerns about weight loss. He thrived and within a couple of weeks they noticed the coat was better he gained weight and his teeth were cleaner.
There is a very large yahoo raw feeding group out there if any of you fancied a wee nosy just to see some info showing that it happens and it's safe and has been done for years. What do you think dogs and cats ate before the invention of kibble or canned food.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

I've brushed Dolly's teeth since she was a puppy. She's 9 now & has never had a cleaning. At about 7 years old the vet told me she should be "the poster child for teeth brushing". Unfortunately, though, her teeth now need cleaning & she's even lost 2 front teeth. I'm too scared to have her go through it! I'm afraid the vet will pull too many teeth, anesthesia is scary...... What's everyone's opinion about the cleaning without anesthesia? TY.

I don't think it's suggested. My vet explained it to me and scraping under the gum line would cause some serious pain.

Myths About Raw: Will the bacteria in raw meat hurt my dog?
Just one of my many resources

Oh and the only teeth with plaque on them were his top back teeth. The rest were white and shiny, so you can understand even more my angst at a quote of $900. I checked to see if I had money flying out my bum on the way out cos he seemed to think I was made of he stuff.

Awesome shot, gorgeous dog

Cleaning without anesthesia is more dangerous, in my opinion, and less effective. There is one member here whose dog had a broken jaw from being held down. The tech can't clean below the gumline where most of the problems are, and if teeth need to be pulled, the dog will have to under anesthesia anyway.

I don't want my boys to lose teeth, but if they are rotten or dead, the teeth have to come out.

Thank you for the offer! I have actually had 3 of mine do the anesthesia free cleaning b4, it was in a holistic vet office. The company that offers the anesthesia free cleaning was houndstooth. The vet looked them over 1st & ok'ed the procedure. This would be a good thing for those only needing a light surface cleaning, something to do inbetween dental cleaning that requires anesthesia. Now all 3 will need anesthesia cleaning next time around.
Momo didn't do that procedure bc the vet felt that he needed a deep cleaning & had to go under, he ended up getting 3 molars pulled. He's the only one that didn't let me brush his teeth, he fought me every time. I was only able to stick my finger wrapped in gauze or baby terry cloth & sometimes a dental cleaning pad in his tiny mouth. Now he let's me actually put the toothbrush in his mouth.:D

Yup, Yorkies are notorious for having bad teeth. My new vet was shocked to see my guys have somewhat clean teeth compared to other Yorkies teeth he saw loll. Mimi & Princess tends to get yellow build up on their back molars right under the gum line & I brush their teeth every night. It's like they have plaque magnet back there or something!

When Mimi was eating premade raw, her teeth were white...now she's eating canned food for breakfast & moistened kibble for lunch & dinner (no snacks) & I've noticed a lot more staining on her back molars. I don't know if it has to do w/the food or timing bc when she started eating raw, she just had her teeth cleaned & now it's been about a year since her last anesthesia free cleaning. This time, she will go under to have a thorough cleaning done. So I think brushing (I brush daily in the evening), yearly cleaning (depending on the dog) is very important.

IMO dogs that chew something..anything with bushings help. With yearly dentals it can only be better for the pups teeth instead of just depending on Dental s ,chewing or brushing alone. Or doing nothing JMO

I have not had my vet even suggest Razzle my Yorkie needs a dental. I was worried, because I couldn't give him raw bones to chew when he was showing; I was already doing enough stuff to curtail his hair growth as it was. Ability, dock jumping, swimming and hiking to name a few.

Now I give both boys raw bones to chew on weekly. I also use Petzlife, and frankly only brush about once per week.

I use mainly beef bones and or turkey necks.

I started to cook the raw diet when Zoey got cancer. And I have continued on, perhaps more of as a matter of habit then anything else.

I think that one needs to find out what works for their pet, and if they do this in consultation with their vet, that is about the most a person can do.

And my boys have nice clear eyes, teeth and healthy coats.

Gemy I joined a rather radical raw feeding group, mostly for good information as many have been doing it for decades. Thought I'd share what they say, they have suggested not letting dogs feed on beef bones because they are very hard, they advised chicken pork or lamb bones as they are softer. But they lost me at picking up road kill and taking it home for feefee.
Just wanted to pop that little bit of info in for you

Gosh! I am going to schedule a flight on Southwest, round trip, for around $200.00, get there and pay $125.00 for a dental, and get off cheaper than my vet in here in Houston charges! Dentals here with my vet are $450.00 - $550.00+, depending on extractions or "surprises" when they get in the mouth!! That includes blood work and continous IV access tho.....

LOL!! Wow!! That's a lot of money! Even adding all the IV and pre blood work it still only comes out under $250!!

LOL thanks but roadkill seriously? I fed Magic my big 120lb boy a lamb thigh, he had decimated it within 5 minutes. Not what I am comfortable with. So bison bones when I can get them - they are awesome, and beef knuckles, and turkey necks (which is cartilaginous).

I like the beef bones exactly because they are hard, my boys can knaw and get out that lovely marrow and not have bones splintering into their mouth and down their digestive tract. Is it possible a tooth could break? Mayhap, but a catch at a toy thrown just one way might also break a weak tooth.

Just my thoughts here.

Oh ya they posted a lovely dead baby goat. Won't get into details.

Unlike your thinking hahaha

Good prices in Las Vegas, too. Just scheduled 9 yr. old Dolly's first teeth cleaning. She hasn't needed one before this because I've brushed daily. Teena, 5, will be getting one, too. Cost will be $125 each plus blood work ($110 for Dolly, $54 for Teena).

You need to use my vet. They are $205 but that is without bloodwork and does not include extractions and pain meds if needed.

If you take the time to brush their teeth a couple/three times a week...you shouldn't have a problems for many, many years (in my experience).