What do you do for dental hygiene?

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

That's a great result; I've read of so many that by the age of three, severe tartar problems have caused loss of teeth.

It's funny, my first vet who once owned Yorkies himself said it wasn't worth the effort of brushing. He said it was all genetics anyway. He recommended an annual cleaning and said don't fret when their teeth need to be removed because they can eat just fine without them.

Fortunately, YTers told me otherwise. I'm sure an annual cleaning would have been even better, but I can't help but think I've saved a couple thousand dollars by brushing. If he can go another 4-5 years before the next cleaning, there's a couple more thousand -- all for a minute a day or less.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

It's funny, my first vet who once owned Yorkies himself said it wasn't worth the effort of brushing. He said it was all genetics anyway. He recommended an annual cleaning and said don't fret when their teeth need to be removed because they can eat just fine without them.

Fortunately, YTers told me otherwise. I'm sure an annual cleaning would have been even better, but I can't help but think I've saved a couple thousand dollars by brushing. If he can go another 4-5 years before the next cleaning, there's a couple more thousand -- all for a minute a day or less.

There's no doubt genetics places a huge role in the built-up of tartar, after all, some breeds, like yorkies, have a much bigger problem with tartar than other breeds, so this shows us genetics is involved. Some tinies have such small jaws that teeth don't fit properly and overcrowding occurs; this also can lead to increased tartar buildup. However, I think there are things we can do to increase the length of time our dogs get to keep their teeth, and I think a yearly dental exam is extremely important, and this will tell you if what you're doing is effective.

Mike, it wasn't that long ago when dentists said the same thing about humans. They just expected people to lose their teeth.

[jazzybee445]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

It's funny, my first vet who once owned Yorkies himself said it wasn't worth the effort of brushing. He said it was all genetics anyway. He recommended an annual cleaning and said don't fret when their teeth need to be removed because they can eat just fine without them.

Fortunately, YTers told me otherwise. I'm sure an annual cleaning would have been even better, but I can't help but think I've saved a couple thousand dollars by brushing. If he can go another 4-5 years before the next cleaning, there's a couple more thousand -- all for a minute a day or less.

Hey What kind of finger brush do you use? (they have those all plastic ones, and the ones with the bristles, like regular tooth brushes.. )

Those were amazing results! i certainly would like for my little mans teeth to be that clean at age four

[SweetPuppy]

Since mine doesn't want me to brush her teeth, I just give her a bone or treat for dental care and sometimes do nothing..

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by SweetPuppy

Since mine doesn't want me to brush her teeth, I just give her a bone or treat for dental care and sometimes do nothing..

I've heard that raw bones are great for cleaning teeth, but I just wanted to tell you that, no dog wants you to brush their teeth. It's something you have to train them to accept, and they really never like it. You start slowly with some toothpaste made for dogs, and the first time, they don't fight too much cause they like the taste. Those fingertip toothbrushes that Mike mentions really are pretty easy to use, and I think do a pretty good job. If you decide tooth brushing isn't for you, I sure hope you have your vet check the teeth yearly, and do periodic cleaning as needed.

[joeyandtanksmom]

I would do some reading on greenies - I fed them every once in a while, but then I heard that they can cause bowel obstructions, and I haven't fed them since. My 13 year old brother just adopted a labradoodle from the pound last week, and when he looked at greenies, I informed him of the same thing. Sure, the dogs might like them, but the possible health/death issue scares me enough to never buy them again.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by jazzybee445

Hey What kind of finger brush do you use? (they have those all plastic ones, and the ones with the bristles, like regular tooth brushes.. )

Those were amazing results! i certainly would like for my little mans teeth to be that clean at age four

Yeah, I just use the plastic ones with the bristles. I tried once to use a specially designed 2-sided doggie toothbrush that a YTer (and dental hygienist) raved about, but I found they fought me too much when I stuck something foreign in their mouth. The finger brush isn't perfect, but it's better than nothing.

[jadabug]

We brush teeth, give Himalayan chews and antlers. Jada had a dental last fall, she had a lot of tartar from bad food that her original owner gave her. Bogie hasn't had to have a cleaning yet, no tartar so far for him.

[Meggie]

What are greenies?
I've never heard of them over here.

I brush their teeth but am thinking of trying to get some Petzlife after reading posts on the boards.

[LuvMySissy]

We brush daily using a piece of gauze wrapped around my index finger with Oxyfresh Pet Gel. I also use Oxyfresh Pet Orgal Hygiene Solution in their water. We also use Aromadog Bluto's Yummy Gummy Brush, using a q-tip and run along the gum line from and back as well as roof of mouth and tongue following brushing.

Sounds like a lot, but it takes only about 30 seconds and makes a huge difference overall. We used Petzlife for about 2 years, but discontinued as I was unhappy with results. I swear by the Oxyfresh Pet Gel (it doesn't have a disgusting smell of chicken or other flavored pet toothpaste) and the Bluto's Gummy Brush for keeping breath smelling great!