Teeth cleaning

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Ya, that was my bad! Peanut is now 6 ( will be on the 25th) I really need to start brushing, I know if I did it every day he would get use to it. His mouth is so tiny, it is so hard to get all the way in the back!
Esp since he is getting older, it won’t be as easy for me to put him under.

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.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

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.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Essential Amino Acids That Are Destroyed By Cooking | Hidden Valley

Here is a nice read. I may dig up some studies later.
If cooking meat for dogs is wrong bc of aa destruction, then the same is true for humans. I am not about to eat raw meat...

I am not a fan of Dr. Becker. Her heartworm advice is of particular concern. My understanding is that she believes it is not as much of a concern as what it is portrayed. I can't agree knowing how many cases just one vet office has seen this year.

All I will say is giving bones or chews of any kind is never perfectly safe.

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...

[ironmike86]

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

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

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?

[Maximo]

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.

[Britster]

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! 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.

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Brushing over dental procedures?

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

[ironmike86]

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

[crazydoglade]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Wow that's a good price. The anesthesia alone is $100-125 w/my vet. They charge about $300-400 that includes pre-op blood work, but we get 10% off & free extractions. So far, Momo is the only one that needed 3 molars pulled.

I'd love to give mine some raw meaty bones to help clean their teeth, but I'm scared to...what if they choke on a piece of bone. I have gulpers...

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.

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by pstinard

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 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/

[dollydoodle]

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.

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by dollydoodle

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.

[Teegy]

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

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

How on earth is a dental $900???

I live in Calif and go to a very expensive vet and Peanut's dental's are only $125

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.