What to use to help teeth?
 

I am going to be getting PetzLife gel or spray soon for Lulu. I noticed today while brushing her teeth that she has some build up. I'm not great with brushing her teeth. :( What kind of chews do you recommend to help with the build up? I know it won't replace brushing and dental cleanings; Im just looking for a supplement to our regimine. I will have Lulu's teeth cleaned by our vet soon.

The problem with dental chews is anything hard enough to really scrape the teeth is also a tooth breaking hazard. Your best bet is to continue to brush and start using the petzlife. I use the Dr. harvey's sweet potato chews just to give mine something to chew on, but it is too soft to do anything for their teeth.

Brushing is #1 but I am terrible at it, too. I use Petzlife gel and sprinkle some Prodent PlaqueOff onto his food every day and I've noticed a difference since using the PlaqueOff! He also gets bully sticks and Himalayan chews.

Gel and spray
 

Hi,

I was just reading the those Gels and Sprays contain Alcohol, and this is not good for dogs as they cannot break it down like us. any thoughts on that?

Maya also has a bit of build up on her molars and it bothers me! the vet says its too soon to put her under for teeth cleaning. urgggg

We just got back from the vet for Jada's annual wellness checkup and she hasn't had a dental since Sept 09. I started using the Petzlife gel a little over a month ago and I brush with CET toothpaste. Before using the Petzlife, Jada had some tarter build up and I knew she would have to have a dental soon. Dr said her teeth look great and no dental required this year:) I also let her chew on bullysticks about twice a week.

I Love Petzlife and have had so far wonderful results with it! Taycie's Teeth are bright white. I also know many here on YT use it with great results. I use it about 5 to 7 days and brush with C.E.T toothpaste everyday. The day I use Petzlife I don't use C.E.T Toothpaste.

I was nervous about the alcohol as well... I found this email on another forum from a member who was also concerned who contacted Petzlife..

[I]Grain alcohol is the same product that is used in the food and liquor industry and it is a government controlled substance. It is often used in the medical fields as an activator. Many oral medications, both over the counter as well as prescriptions have small or trace amounts if alcohol in them to activate certain chemicals, herbs, etc. For example cough syrups, nyquil, mouthwash, and medicated rinses contain small amounts of grain alcohol which is made through a very pure distillation process. This should not be confused with rubbing alcohol or industrial alcohol. In oriental medicine, grain alcohol is used to extract out certain properties from herbs, berries, bark, antler, tubers, and roots. We have sold over 200,000 bottles through pet stores, groomers, kennels, and vets, with out harming any animals, and now we have many dentists looking for us to make a human product which we now have under the name "F'rst Defenz".

Hope this helps! I love it!

I only brush Tibbe's teeth and have regular dental cleanings when the vet recommends and use no mouthsprays. The one I did have was found to contain Xylitol, which I now know is poison to dogs! Since I started brushing his teeth almost daily, his teeth have almost no buildup, are white, gums look wonderful and his breath smells clean. It made such a difference to commit to daily teeth brushing. I brush very gently but persistently and it is over in about 1 1/2 minutes and he is on his way. It is really a very small thing to do for our pets that brings such big rewards. If at first a dog doesn't like it, you just brush a tiny bit at first and keep building up every day with lots of praise when done until finally they get used to it and understand nothing bad will happen and it is over quickly and then they get a lovely treat and a big fun celebration.

That's why it is extremely important to talk to your pup's vet before starting to use it. Alcohol is very high on the ingredients list. There probably sint' enough to cause harm; however, we aren't vets or toxicologists, so that is probably just an assumption.

I have now heard of two veterinary dentists that either said don't use it or it's probably not a good idea. A lot of things can whiten teeth. Doesn't make them automatically okay...

The product with xylitol works too and the amount used is so small, that it will probably do no damage. IMO, that still doesn't make it okay. Teeth gels and sprays shouldn't be questionable to my pup's health.

And particularly using is several times a week...at the dose that was on the bottle a couple years ago...no way.

I say ask a vet before buying it.