I need the truth about toothbrushing!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

yorkiejunkie · 03-23-2010, 06:49 AM

As I was brushing Bentley's teeth this morning, it occurred to me, that really all I do is mess around in his mouth with the brush and toothpaste

. I don't think I am even hitting all the teeth! Not that he minds, he likes the attention, and the toothpaste (chicken flavored!) but am I doing any good??
So my question is, is that how you "brushers" feel? Or have I just not got the hang of it??

Tell me the truth!

cathys · 03-23-2010, 06:56 AM

I know Im not doing a very good job with sofia, because it is not something she likes at all, but it is better than nothing.

ARCHIE · 03-23-2010, 06:59 AM

All you can do is your best. Believe me, something is better than nothing.
I've been brushing Buddy's teeth for 5 1/2 yrs and it sure has paid off.
I also use, once a week now, petzlife to keep the tartar off. It really
works. His teeth are nice and white with no tartar along the gum line.
He's never had a dental. Hopefully he'll never need one.
Also giving your pup natural bones or bullysticks to chew on will also
help keep the tartar off.

Keep it up, it's worth it.

yorkiejunkie · 03-23-2010, 07:09 AM

Bentley front teeth look great, shiny and white

but I recently noticed his back ones have some yellow!

Guess they would be worse if I wasn't brushing. But I really feel like I am just feeding him toothpaste! LOL

yorkieusa · 03-23-2010, 07:17 AM

I brush Kacee's teeth. I wasn't able to do it nightly the last few years because of other obligations and lack of time until recently, but now we are on a nightly schedule again. We use Petzlife gel, too, as well as the spray.

I looked the following up and thought I'd post it fyi.

Do I have to brush my Yorkie's teeth?
Some dogs teeth form placque faster than others...and yes you should brush at least once a week with Nolvadent (from your vet or supply house) and put a drop of glyoxide (from your pharmacy) on either side of the mouth in back once a week and get a scraper and learn how to scrape the teeth....Omaha Vet 1-800-367-4444 has dental scrapers... that you must do every other month.
If you don't keep the teeth clean, they will develop periodontal disease...like the dentist says...just floss the ones you want to keep.
Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 2.

mom2dogs5 · 03-23-2010, 07:21 AM

I'm a newbie here so I'm a little timid about posting but when I saw the question about brushing teeth, I felt I had to tell my experience. I lost a chi years ago when I didn't know the importance of daily care for small dog teeth. Heart problems developed from his bad mouth........it was lesson learned! Now my four yorkies get daily brushes, even if I have to force myself to do it! It may not be perfect, but it did earn a complement from the vet......"Best teeth I ever saw on a yorkie!"

Maddie23 · 03-23-2010, 07:24 AM

I have never had luck brushing my Maddie's teeth. I have tried for a long time but you would think I had acid on the brush or something! The best I came up with was putting the toothpaste on a baby brush and just holding it and letting her chew on the brush. I was using the Placque Off that you sprinkle on their food. After using it for about 9 months or so, I didn't see that it was doing any good, there was brown on her teeth at the gum line and brown streaks on her canines and back teeth. I started using the Petzlife Oral Gel a couple of weeks ago and have been amazed! The placque (brown) has been reduced by more than half! When she is tired and I can get a finger in her mouth, I can even scrape the brown off with my fingernail. She isn't much of a chewer, I have bully sticks and himalayin (sp?) chews, but she just hides them and doesn't chew on them much. She doesn't really like the Gel, but if I put her up on the counter and hold the hair under her bottom lip, I can put the gel on my finger and work it between her lips.

I can't even imagine being able to use a dental scraper on her teeth. Seriously, I don't know what it is, but when you have something you want to do with her mouth she twists and turns and turns into a tazmanian devil!!! If she is just on my lap, I can touch her mouth and put my finger inside her mouth. But if she figures out I have something on my finger, look out!

yorkieusa · 03-23-2010, 07:35 AM

I found this and thought I'd share it here:

Overview

The Yorkie is very prone to early tooth decay, much more so than many other dog breeds.

Because of this, proper dental care is extremely important.

Tooth decay can lead to very serious health issues:

•Bacteria may build up and enter into the bloodstream

•There may be tooth loss, leading to eating problems; this leading to nutrient deprivation

•Tooth decay can cause great pain for the Yorkie, which is avoidable if regular dental care is provided....both at home and with the veterinarian

Let's discuss all the important aspects of proper dental care and the teeth of the Yorkshire Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier is prone to dental issues. Dental care is vitally important. The yellowing on this Yorkie's back teeth are a sign of tarter buildup and a needed professional cleaning.

When Should Dental Care Begin?

Dental care for the Yorkie must begin the moment you bring your Yorkie home. If you have a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you will want to begin taking care of their teeth at a young age. This will allow your puppy to become very accustomed to having their teeth touched and cleaned.

If you bring home an older Yorkie, one of the first things that you should do is to bring your dog to the vet. Not only for a medical checkup, but for a dental checkup. It does not matter if you received your Yorkie from the best breeder in the world or rescued your dog from a shelter...you will have no idea of the status of the dog's teeth and what type of dental care was previously given.

How Often Should I Brush My Yorkie's Teeth?

At the very least, you should brush your Yorkie's teeth 1 time per week. We highly recommend brushing each day. Taking care of your dog's teeth can be a part of their normal daily schedule. A scraping should be done 1 time per month.

How Often Does a Yorkie Need a Professional Cleaning?

This should be done 1 time ever 2 years by an experience and trusted veterinarian. Some dog breeds receive professional cleanings every year. You would at first think that the Yorkie, being prone to dental disease, should have the same. However, the Yorkshire Terrier is very sensitive to anesthesia. Most professional cleaning are done by using anesthesia on the dog, so that the dog does not move while this careful cleaning is being performed.

You will be removing plaque and the veterinarian will be removing tarter. Tarter is a yellow color. When you notice this on your dog's teeth, this will be your sign that your Yorkshire Terrier needs to go to the vet for a professional cleaning.

How Do I Clean My Yorkie's Teeth?

Never use human toothpaste. A dog can swallow a lot of paste during the cleanings and the fluoride which is found in human tooth paste can wreak havoc in a dog's system.

A dog finger tooth brush should be used. With some dog breeds, a dog tooth brush is used. However, it is recommended to use the finger brush; doing so will help you know if you are applying enough pressure.

Use a dog toothpaste only.

Begin at the earliest age possible. You may wish to begin by allowing your Yorkie to become used to having your finger in their mouth. For the first week, set aside 10 minutes per day to have your dog sit down with you. Rub your finger all along your dog's teeth. Be sure to touch all of the teeth. When your Yorkie sits still and behaves, reward your dog will happy praise, hugs and a small treat.

You may find that a young puppy is very hyper and will not want to sit still. However, if you remain constant and do this each day, your Yorkie will learn that when you say "Tooth Time" or whatever command you do use, that it is time to sit close to you and have their teeth touched.

After a week or so, begin using the dog finger tooth brush. You will put a dab of dog toothpaste on this. Be sure to brush all of the teeth and all sides of the teeth.

How do I Scrap My Dog's Teeth?

Since it is best for your Yorkie to have their teeth scraped by you, instead of at the veterinarians while under anesthesia, is recommend to do a scraping 1 time per month. An owner should not feel intimidated. This is very similar to when humans use a plague scraper.

Some owners actually opt to use a human plaque scraper, which can be purchased at any store in the dental care section. However, there are scrapers made specifically for small breed dogs. This is recommended, since the Yorkie is very small and a scraper for small breeds will fit easily into the dog's mouth.

The dog should sit down (and should already be used to having their teeth touched from the daily or weekly tooth brushings).

As you carefully scrap each tooth, use a paper towel to wipe the plaque from the scraper. If not, this could be swallowed by your Yorkie and cause health issues.

Since your dog will be trying very hard to behave and sit nicely while you do this, when your dog sits still for this, give a small treat as a reward every few minutes.

Once the teeth are scraped, you should follow up with a brushing. And then of course, with a yummy dog treat to reward your Yorkie for being so good.

YorkieInfoCenter | Dental Care for the Yorkshire Terrier

yorkieusa · 03-23-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddie23

I have never had luck brushing my Maddie's teeth. I have tried for a long time but you would think I had acid on the brush or something! The best I came up with was putting the toothpaste on a baby brush and just holding it and letting her chew on the brush. I was using the Placque Off that you sprinkle on their food. After using it for about 9 months or so, I didn't see that it was doing any good, there was brown on her teeth at the gum line and brown streaks on her canines and back teeth. I started using the Petzlife Oral Gel a couple of weeks ago and have been amazed! The placque (brown) has been reduced by more than half! When she is tired and I can get a finger in her mouth, I can even scrape the brown off with my fingernail. She isn't much of a chewer, I have bully sticks and himalayin (sp?) chews, but she just hides them and doesn't chew on them much. She doesn't really like the Gel, but if I put her up on the counter and hold the hair under her bottom lip, I can put the gel on my finger and work it between her lips.

I can't even imagine being able to use a dental scraper on her teeth. Seriously, I don't know what it is, but when you have something you want to do with her mouth she twists and turns and turns into a tazmanian devil!!! If she is just on my lap, I can touch her mouth and put my finger inside her mouth. But if she figures out I have something on my finger, look out!

Get a finger toothbrush like for babies. I used one on Kacee when she was a puppy.

YorkieD · 03-23-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiejunkie

As I was brushing Bentley's teeth this morning, it occurred to me, that really all I do is mess around in his mouth with the brush and toothpaste

. I don't think I am even hitting all the teeth! Not that he minds, he likes the attention, and the toothpaste (chicken flavored!) but am I doing any good??
So my question is, is that how you "brushers" feel? Or have I just not got the hang of it??

Tell me the truth!

Last Friday my vet told me to just put the toothpaste on my finger & rub it on the teeth until he gets used to the actually brushing with the toothbrush.
he said there is something in the toothpaste to get rid of tartar buildup & even if you just rub it on the teeth with your finger it still works. I can never get him to open his mouth enough when using the brush to get his back teeth & this is easier. Hope this helps you with your little one.

yorkiejunkie · 03-23-2010, 11:31 AM

This has been very helpful... Look out Bentley! I'll be at it again tomorrow! lol
Lots of great info, thanks! I guess I'll look into a scraper, ew-w, I think!

Darlene68 · 03-23-2010, 11:39 AM

I couldn't find a toothbrush small enough to get in to the back of Bailey's mouth, so now I just wrap a cloth around my finger and use that to brush, I can feel the teeth through the cloth so I know I'm getting them!

TLC · 03-23-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2dogs5

I'm a newbie here so I'm a little timid about posting but when I saw the question about brushing teeth, I felt I had to tell my experience. I lost a chi years ago when I didn't know the importance of daily care for small dog teeth. Heart problems developed from his bad mouth........it was lesson learned! Now my four yorkies get daily brushes, even if I have to force myself to do it! It may not be perfect, but it did earn a complement from the vet......"Best teeth I ever saw on a yorkie!"

Thanks for sharing and Gold Star to you for Best Teeth

yorkiejunkie · 03-23-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC

Thanks for sharing and Gold Star to you for Best Teeth

Yeah that!!!

QuickSilver · 03-23-2010, 12:24 PM

I guess I'm going to need to start scraping. Thor's teeth are awful. I brush regularly and thoroughly, but it's so discouraging to see plaque inexorably building up. I am starting to wonder if it really makes a difference. It just seems like some dogs have good teeth, and probably don't need brushing, and some dogs have bad teeth no matter what you do. I will look into a scraper though.

03-23-2010, 06:49 AM	#1
yorkiejunkie YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 468	I need the truth about toothbrushing!!! As I was brushing Bentley's teeth this morning, it occurred to me, that really all I do is mess around in his mouth with the brush and toothpaste . I don't think I am even hitting all the teeth! Not that he minds, he likes the attention, and the toothpaste (chicken flavored!) but am I doing any good?? So my question is, is that how you "brushers" feel? Or have I just not got the hang of it?? Tell me the truth! __________________ Bentley's Mommy is a Yorkie Junkie...

03-23-2010, 07:09 AM	#4
yorkiejunkie YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 468	Bentley front teeth look great, shiny and white but I recently noticed his back ones have some yellow! Guess they would be worse if I wasn't brushing. But I really feel like I am just feeding him toothpaste! LOL __________________ Bentley's Mommy is a Yorkie Junkie...

03-23-2010, 07:17 AM	#5
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I brush Kacee's teeth. I wasn't able to do it nightly the last few years because of other obligations and lack of time until recently, but now we are on a nightly schedule again. We use Petzlife gel, too, as well as the spray. I looked the following up and thought I'd post it fyi. Do I have to brush my Yorkie's teeth? Some dogs teeth form placque faster than others...and yes you should brush at least once a week with Nolvadent (from your vet or supply house) and put a drop of glyoxide (from your pharmacy) on either side of the mouth in back once a week and get a scraper and learn how to scrape the teeth....Omaha Vet 1-800-367-4444 has dental scrapers... that you must do every other month. If you don't keep the teeth clean, they will develop periodontal disease...like the dentist says...just floss the ones you want to keep. Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 2. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

03-23-2010, 07:35 AM	#8
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I found this and thought I'd share it here: Overview The Yorkie is very prone to early tooth decay, much more so than many other dog breeds. Because of this, proper dental care is extremely important. Tooth decay can lead to very serious health issues: •Bacteria may build up and enter into the bloodstream •There may be tooth loss, leading to eating problems; this leading to nutrient deprivation •Tooth decay can cause great pain for the Yorkie, which is avoidable if regular dental care is provided....both at home and with the veterinarian Let's discuss all the important aspects of proper dental care and the teeth of the Yorkshire Terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier is prone to dental issues. Dental care is vitally important. The yellowing on this Yorkie's back teeth are a sign of tarter buildup and a needed professional cleaning. When Should Dental Care Begin? Dental care for the Yorkie must begin the moment you bring your Yorkie home. If you have a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you will want to begin taking care of their teeth at a young age. This will allow your puppy to become very accustomed to having their teeth touched and cleaned. If you bring home an older Yorkie, one of the first things that you should do is to bring your dog to the vet. Not only for a medical checkup, but for a dental checkup. It does not matter if you received your Yorkie from the best breeder in the world or rescued your dog from a shelter...you will have no idea of the status of the dog's teeth and what type of dental care was previously given. How Often Should I Brush My Yorkie's Teeth? At the very least, you should brush your Yorkie's teeth 1 time per week. We highly recommend brushing each day. Taking care of your dog's teeth can be a part of their normal daily schedule. A scraping should be done 1 time per month. How Often Does a Yorkie Need a Professional Cleaning? This should be done 1 time ever 2 years by an experience and trusted veterinarian. Some dog breeds receive professional cleanings every year. You would at first think that the Yorkie, being prone to dental disease, should have the same. However, the Yorkshire Terrier is very sensitive to anesthesia. Most professional cleaning are done by using anesthesia on the dog, so that the dog does not move while this careful cleaning is being performed. You will be removing plaque and the veterinarian will be removing tarter. Tarter is a yellow color. When you notice this on your dog's teeth, this will be your sign that your Yorkshire Terrier needs to go to the vet for a professional cleaning. How Do I Clean My Yorkie's Teeth? Never use human toothpaste. A dog can swallow a lot of paste during the cleanings and the fluoride which is found in human tooth paste can wreak havoc in a dog's system. A dog finger tooth brush should be used. With some dog breeds, a dog tooth brush is used. However, it is recommended to use the finger brush; doing so will help you know if you are applying enough pressure. Use a dog toothpaste only. Begin at the earliest age possible. You may wish to begin by allowing your Yorkie to become used to having your finger in their mouth. For the first week, set aside 10 minutes per day to have your dog sit down with you. Rub your finger all along your dog's teeth. Be sure to touch all of the teeth. When your Yorkie sits still and behaves, reward your dog will happy praise, hugs and a small treat. You may find that a young puppy is very hyper and will not want to sit still. However, if you remain constant and do this each day, your Yorkie will learn that when you say "Tooth Time" or whatever command you do use, that it is time to sit close to you and have their teeth touched. After a week or so, begin using the dog finger tooth brush. You will put a dab of dog toothpaste on this. Be sure to brush all of the teeth and all sides of the teeth. How do I Scrap My Dog's Teeth? Since it is best for your Yorkie to have their teeth scraped by you, instead of at the veterinarians while under anesthesia, is recommend to do a scraping 1 time per month. An owner should not feel intimidated. This is very similar to when humans use a plague scraper. Some owners actually opt to use a human plaque scraper, which can be purchased at any store in the dental care section. However, there are scrapers made specifically for small breed dogs. This is recommended, since the Yorkie is very small and a scraper for small breeds will fit easily into the dog's mouth. The dog should sit down (and should already be used to having their teeth touched from the daily or weekly tooth brushings). As you carefully scrap each tooth, use a paper towel to wipe the plaque from the scraper. If not, this could be swallowed by your Yorkie and cause health issues. Since your dog will be trying very hard to behave and sit nicely while you do this, when your dog sits still for this, give a small treat as a reward every few minutes. Once the teeth are scraped, you should follow up with a brushing. And then of course, with a yummy dog treat to reward your Yorkie for being so good. YorkieInfoCenter \| Dental Care for the Yorkshire Terrier __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

03-23-2010, 11:31 AM	#11
yorkiejunkie YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 468	This has been very helpful... Look out Bentley! I'll be at it again tomorrow! lol Lots of great info, thanks! I guess I'll look into a scraper, ew-w, I think! __________________ Bentley's Mommy is a Yorkie Junkie...

03-23-2010, 06:56 AM	#2
cathys Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CA,USA Posts: 1,623	I know Im not doing a very good job with sofia, because it is not something she likes at all, but it is better than nothing.

03-23-2010, 06:59 AM	#3
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	All you can do is your best. Believe me, something is better than nothing. I've been brushing Buddy's teeth for 5 1/2 yrs and it sure has paid off. I also use, once a week now, petzlife to keep the tartar off. It really works. His teeth are nice and white with no tartar along the gum line. He's never had a dental. Hopefully he'll never need one. Also giving your pup natural bones or bullysticks to chew on will also help keep the tartar off. Keep it up, it's worth it.

03-23-2010, 07:21 AM	#6
mom2dogs5 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: shalimar, fl, usa Posts: 44	I'm a newbie here so I'm a little timid about posting but when I saw the question about brushing teeth, I felt I had to tell my experience. I lost a chi years ago when I didn't know the importance of daily care for small dog teeth. Heart problems developed from his bad mouth........it was lesson learned! Now my four yorkies get daily brushes, even if I have to force myself to do it! It may not be perfect, but it did earn a complement from the vet......"Best teeth I ever saw on a yorkie!"

03-23-2010, 07:24 AM	#7
Maddie23 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 154	I have never had luck brushing my Maddie's teeth. I have tried for a long time but you would think I had acid on the brush or something! The best I came up with was putting the toothpaste on a baby brush and just holding it and letting her chew on the brush. I was using the Placque Off that you sprinkle on their food. After using it for about 9 months or so, I didn't see that it was doing any good, there was brown on her teeth at the gum line and brown streaks on her canines and back teeth. I started using the Petzlife Oral Gel a couple of weeks ago and have been amazed! The placque (brown) has been reduced by more than half! When she is tired and I can get a finger in her mouth, I can even scrape the brown off with my fingernail. She isn't much of a chewer, I have bully sticks and himalayin (sp?) chews, but she just hides them and doesn't chew on them much. She doesn't really like the Gel, but if I put her up on the counter and hold the hair under her bottom lip, I can put the gel on my finger and work it between her lips. I can't even imagine being able to use a dental scraper on her teeth. Seriously, I don't know what it is, but when you have something you want to do with her mouth she twists and turns and turns into a tazmanian devil!!! If she is just on my lap, I can touch her mouth and put my finger inside her mouth. But if she figures out I have something on my finger, look out!

03-23-2010, 11:39 AM	#12
Darlene68 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 4,923	I couldn't find a toothbrush small enough to get in to the back of Bailey's mouth, so now I just wrap a cloth around my finger and use that to brush, I can feel the teeth through the cloth so I know I'm getting them! __________________ Darlene Bailey Blu & Jesse Bee

03-23-2010, 12:24 PM	#15
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	I guess I'm going to need to start scraping. Thor's teeth are awful. I brush regularly and thoroughly, but it's so discouraging to see plaque inexorably building up. I am starting to wonder if it really makes a difference. It just seems like some dogs have good teeth, and probably don't need brushing, and some dogs have bad teeth no matter what you do. I will look into a scraper though.