No, that is not true in most cases based upon my experience. If you have a pup that it works for for many, many years it is because the pup just happens to have good teeth and you are very lucky!. Most yorkies have dental issues and, while brushing teeth may help some, it will not for that long.

Never had problems with my Yorkies. I brushed them at least 3x a week. I try to make it everyday and usually do but at times I get behind. I know 2 Show...breeders that there dogs all have good teeth. Only dog I ever had a problem with was my old Pom. Coouldn't get in there to brush. Very small mouth. And he didn't like to chew. JME

It is genetics, plain and simple. I have tried the daily brushing and all it did was perhaps extend the need for a dental a month or so...but NOT many, many years.
You are fortunate if your yorkies don't need dentals. All of mine do.
I have seen many, many yorkies from all sorts of breeders and they are not immune to dental issues.

Dunno but none of my dogs ever had bad teeth except the Pom. He also was the only none chewer. I also feed hard veggies. No soft foods. Even if they say hard food kibble isn't any better I believe soft food coat the teeth more and make it hard hard brush. But to be clear I do have dentals done on my Dogs. Just no teeth get pulled out from being bad. Not until they get old then maybe have one or two. I will do a dental if they get altered while they are under or anytime they need to go under if it happens. And at least every other year if the teeth look clean. Mokie teeth are white and have no Tarter. But he's only ~14mo. My only current pup. JME

I thought you had said that before...that you do dentals. So...really you don't know that there would be no issues if you did not brush. That's all I was really saying..that if a dog is prone to dental issues, brushing will not replace professional cleaning.

Miss communication. When I think of dentals I think of teeth extraction. Because when ppl talk about Dentals they always say how many teeth were pulled. I mean more that is you brush all the time and let you dog chew they maybe able to keep there teeth :D. I do Dentals also. So everytime Dentals was mentioned in this thread my mind automatically thinks why do they need to get there teeth pulled so much .:confused:. The Vet always say my Dogs teeth as so clean he hardly needs to do any work.
Just like ppl you can brush keep your teeth clean but still need to go for checkups. Basically if you don't brush there guaranteed build up on the teeth. No doubt brushing will help remove Tarter.
Moki was getting staining on his Molars. I brushed it out. Still yellow but not brown. I will stand firm that brushing helps.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f9...psa7f0438a.jpg

Exactly!! No...dentals do not mean extractions..it happens but that is not what we mean when we talk about them.
Yes, you are right that brushing can help but is not going to replace is what I am saying. Yes, it will remove tartar but when plaque starts to form it is brutal.
My pups all get dentals on average about once/year. Some need them sooner..and some can stretch out a bit more.

I live near Canada, (one foot over the border) and there Dr's., vets etc, are very expensive, many who live near border come to this side of the border for such.

Great thread thanks for the information...all of it! I really learned a lot here from all of you.

Okay finlly were on the same page.:D My Pom had to get dentals once a year. He could have used them more but he was small and not good with anesthesia. Barely could brush his teeth and he wasn't a chewer. Many ppl might not agree but chewing imo helps alot. When I watch Moki chew it like he's rubbing his teeth on the object. But I'm always a firm believe whatever works keep doing it. Not everything works the same. You dogs health will let you know.

I agree that chewing helps...just does not prevent all of it. My one pup who loves her nylabones is one that can go every 1 - 1.5 years. I suppose it could have nothing to do with it because we really don't know about the genetic part of it; but I do think it is helping her.

I am kind of confused. I mean, if brushing barely helps, then why even brush at all? Why not just get professional dentals every year and skip the added time and energy put into brushing?

But my goal is to not get dental cleanings... at least as few as possible. Which is why I try to brush every night. I noticed a HUGE difference with his teeth the moment I got lazy and just stopped brushing, hence why I got him another professional cleaning. But I will avoid them for as long as I can. Not to mention the expense, but the stress it puts on my dog to go through it is enough to remind me to brush every day.

With that said, I feel like if you're only brushing like once or twice a week, it's kind of pointless, and might as well not. No less than every other day IMO or it's a waste (veterinary dental specialist told me the same thing).

But he had his first cleaning at (just turned)3yrs, in Nov. 2011. Second cleaning at 4.5 years old in April 2013. I fully intend on not getting him a professional dental for at least 2-3 more years. And I know it will not be needed if I continue with brushing and keeping up with his oral care.

What happened last time was, I pretty much stopped brushing and all oral care in Nov. 2012. Got out of habit, holiday's, laziness, and then just after getting out the habit, I'd just forget. I'd remember once I was laying in bed, half asleep, lol... between Nov-April with zero oral care happening, I noticed the build up had gotten fairly bad (but still, our vet was pretty happy with his teeth, said "they weren't BAD by any means" but she was happy I brought him in for preventative reasons).

Okay, anyway, I am rambling. But I don't see a need for yearly cleanings unless it's truly necessary... I do not think a tiny bit of yellowing, etc, is enough to put my dog under. Even though I am a FULL advocate of the importance of professional dental cleanings and think oral care in our pets is so much more important than most people make it out to be. But I think case-by-case basis should be taken into account too.

Oh, FWIW, I do think chewing helps, but not a replacement for brushing for sure!

I'm a firm believer in Brushing. I mean don't brush your teeth for a week and see all the build up? Eat an Apple it's refreshing to your mouth. Like chewing?? If you hunt you may go all day without brushing and it feels bad. I still think 2-3x a week is better then nothing. But it harder. If you do it or try to everyday the pup will let you. it's routine then. Otherwise it's just a fight. Whatever works best for your dog. most ppl think what they do is best anyways :D. At least debating how why or should you brush you dogs teeth is better then alot of other Topics I read here :eek: IMO.

All I am saying is that brushing will not prevent the need for dentals. The length of time it gives I think depends a lot on each dog.

Indeed!