teeth cleaning

[jenna22]

How often do you clean your yorkie's teeth?Leo is 15months now and he just wont let me near his teeth.What can i do?

[Nancy1999]

I use Petzlife gel, about 2-3 times a week, it's said to soften tartar and you can brush them at a later time. I also give him Bully Sticks and I think they help scrape the tartar off. I brush his teeth a 3 times a week, and he doesn't particularly like it either. I use poultry flavored toothpaste that he likes, it so doesn't fight me too much, but he does fight. I found those fingertip brushes they sell at Petsmart really helpful, and give me more control on the brushing. His teeth look great, and his breath is sweet.

[Dara311]

I honestly don't brush Fiona's teeth. I just give her dry food only and lots of pig ears and bully sticks. She has gorgeous teeth. I would tell you that you can just get dog toothpaste and brush maybe 3 times a week.

[Ellie May]

We brush daily, floss at least weekly and use OraVet weekly.

[Dara311]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

We brush daily, floss at least weekly and use OraVet weekly.

how do you like OraVet? When I did dentals, we would apply it and then let the owners keep up at home.....just wondering what you think of it!?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Dara311

how do you like OraVet? When I did dentals, we would apply it and then let the owners keep up at home.....just wondering what you think of it!?

Honestly, I have no idea if it works or not because I've never maintained Ellie's teeth after a dental without it. However, her teeth are awesome for having oral surgery and periodontal disease and what we are doing is working, so I would definitely recommend it.

[143julz]

Interesting read here, Crystal, How old is your pup? Maybe the younger we start, the easier it becomes..
Dud is 8 mo, wouls like to get him off on the right start...suggestions welcomed..

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by 143julz

Interesting read here, Crystal, How old is your pup? Maybe the younger we start, the easier it becomes..
Dud is 8 mo, wouls like to get him off on the right start...suggestions welcomed..

Ellie is seven.
She had retained baby teeth. They were never taken care of.
Went to different vet in 2006/2007 when she started losing her front (adult) teeth. At that time no baby teeth were seen. Must've fallen out.
Was diagnosed with stage 3-4 peridontal disease (worst is 4) and osteomyelitis.
She had nine adult teeth pulled.
As a side note, she ate mostly kibble for years and had chews...don't count on that doing much good.
She has had one dental since (October 07) just because she was already under for something else. Other that that, the vet says her teeth look great right now. Her breath is gross though.
She has eaten homecooked since the recalls a long time ago and it isn't an issue. She does not get chew bones. I'm not saying these shouldn't be used though... lol, most vets would cringe at this post.

We use CET Vanilla Mint toothpaste. I used Petzlife a few times but have since decided against it.

I don't think her teeth are perfect now but for the problems she had before, it seems that they are just fine.

And if you decide to floss (carefully so they don't swallow it), be ready to get your fingers bitten off.

We have tried SoniCare but Ellie detests it.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Ellie is seven.
She had retained baby teeth. They were never taken care of.
Went to different vet in 2006/2007 when she started losing her front (adult) teeth. At that time no baby teeth were seen. Must've fallen out.
Was diagnosed with stage 3-4 peridontal disease (worst is 4) and osteomyelitis.
She had nine adult teeth pulled.
As a side note, she ate mostly kibble for years and had chews...don't count on that doing much good.
She has had one dental since (October 07) just because she was already under for something else. Other that that, the vet says her teeth look great right now. Her breath is gross though.
She has eaten homecooked since the recalls a long time ago and it isn't an issue. She does not get chew bones. I'm not saying these shouldn't be used though... lol, most vets would cringe at this post.

We use CET Vanilla Mint toothpaste. I used Petzlife a few times but have since decided against it.

I don't think her teeth are perfect now but for the problems she had before, it seems that they are just fine.

And if you decide to floss (carefully so they don't swallow it), be ready to get your fingers bitten off.

We have tried SoniCare but Ellie detests it.

Well, you sure gotta give you an A for effort. Wow, what a good yorkie mama!

[MaddiesMommie]

I do not brush Maddie's teeth but have started seriously thinking about it. I wasn't aware we needed to brush them until I found this site... clueless
___________
I Maddie.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

I do not brush Maddie's teeth but have started seriously thinking about it. I wasn't aware we needed to brush them until I found this site... clueless
___________
I Maddie.

When you look up the different health problems for different breeds, teeth are considered one of the yorkies' weaknesses. Even from good breeders, it doesn't seem to make a difference, so that 's why you'll find more yorkie owners conscientious about dental care.

[Ellie May]

[QUOTE=Nancy1999;2480166]Well, you sure gotta give you an A for effort. Wow, what a good yorkie mama![/QUOTE

lol, when I miss a couple days of brushing in a week, I feel horrible about it.

In addition to my other post, I do give some raw vegetables...sometimes raw carrot and the hard bottom "stumps" of the broccoli but I hold it for her (and again my fingers get bitten.

If she didn't have liver disease and allergies, I would strongly consider using bully sticks.

[Karrie]

My Bailey is two years old and so far, dental has been a non-issue. I started feeding her raw at 3 mos of age.

I feed her raw due to the food recall and at the recommendation of my mom. Mom has always fed her babys raw and they have never needed a dental. Bailey's breath is non-existent which is a huge plus for me!! A year ago, my mom took in a rescue who needed a dental really bad - but due to its heartworm condition, it couldn't go under anestheia (sp?) at the time. Mom fed the rescue raw and his gums began to clear up immediately. I'm told its something about the enzymes.

I don't know if this is sound advice or not - but I certainly believe in it...

Good luck!!!

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by Karrie

My Bailey is two years old and so far, dental has been a non-issue. I started feeding her raw at 3 mos of age.

I feed her raw due to the food recall and at the recommendation of my mom. Mom has always fed her babys raw and they have never needed a dental. Bailey's breath is non-existent which is a huge plus for me!! A year ago, my mom took in a rescue who needed a dental really bad - but due to its heartworm condition, it couldn't go under anestheia (sp?) at the time. Mom fed the rescue raw and his gums began to clear up immediately. I'm told its something about the enzymes.

I don't know if this is sound advice or not - but I certainly believe in it...

Good luck!!!

Good to know...thanks.

[Dara311]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Honestly, I have no idea if it works or not because I've never maintained Ellie's teeth after a dental without it. However, her teeth are awesome for having oral surgery and periodontal disease and what we are doing is working, so I would definitely recommend it.

thats good. its very hard to apply i thought i would just put it on gauze and do it from there, our vet told us that you cannot brush their teeth, and then apply it,but i agree, i thought it was good!