Ideas on brushing teeth.
 

Toby will Not let us brush his teeth. My wife and I have tried over and over since he was a puppy to no avail. I hold him while my wife tries to brush and he wiggles and squirms and fights to the point that we just give up. Does anyone have any tips? I know dental care is important. He does like dental chew treats but that is obviously not enough. Any advice would be appreciated.

Jackson was a toothbrush hater for a long time. It was such a struggle that I had basically given up and managed only to brush his teeth when he'd get in the bath tub every week or two.

He had to have a dental in November due to another tooth issue (over-bite, had a vital pulpotomy on his canine tooth) so got them cleaned while under. They weren't terrible but did have some tarter build-up on all of his canine teeth (enough to warrant a cleaning). Anyways now they are shiny and white and perfect and I plan on keeping them that way and hopefully not needing for a long time/never needing another dental (at least that's my goal).

So anyways, after the procedure on his mouth, we weren't allowed to brush for two weeks so I took advantage and every night for those 2 weeks, we would go into the bathroom. First couple of days, he'd just go in there and get a treat. Then I brought out the brush, introduced him to it, let him sniff, etc. Eventually he had started opening his mouth when he saw it. I would lift up his lip, get him used to me touching around his face, etc, and he'd get a treat.

Now he's SOOO good at getting his teeth brushed. He comes into the bathroom with me every night (*almost* sometimes we skip or forget), it's his little routine and he doesn't even put up a fuss. I wouldn't say he enjoys it but he tolerates it and that's what is important!

I bought CET beef flavored toothpaste which he seems to like so I think that helped too. :) Oh, I also use petzlife about once every 10 days, CET chews once or twice a week, and I sprinkle some PlaqueOff on his food a few times a week.

great tip!
 

Thanks for sharing that! Dental hygiene is sooooo important . . . . Leroy tolerates the brushing (especially the gel applications) but I think I'll try your technique and see if it helps.:thumbup:

What is Petzlife Oral Gel?

Petzlife Oral Gel : This sounds like exactly what I need. Where do you buy it or do you have to order directly from them? Is there a particular one that is better than others - far as flavors, etc. I looked at the Petzlife website and they have alot to choose from.

Momo will not let me brush his teeth. So my vet showed me how to brush w/a gauze w/a little toothpaste on it. He tolerates that for 10 secs & it's better than nothing loll. I really want to try the Tropiclean Fresh Breath Gel...there was a thread about it but I can't find it.

I've purchased both the gel and spray from Petsmart. I'll put the gel on a baby toothbrush and attempt to brush my boys' teeth (which I do about 3 days a week) and use the spray on the the other days.

Truffle was about 9weeks when I got her and started brushing from day 1 in my house.
every night. now I bring mug cup with tooth past and brush, she jump to bite on tooth brush her own ( more like teething puppy just chewing tooth brush) but I am happy at least she is getting used to it and like that paste.

I put Heidi in a chair & put a big pillow behind her so she doesn't have as much room to wiggle away. I put her side against the pillow & it kind of blocks her in. Course I have to get in the floor to brush her teeth that way. I can't say she likes it, but she puts up with it. She thinks its a treat to lick & chew on the brush for a second when its over. Funny part is when I'm done brushing on one side I'll say "Flip side!" and she will turn where I can brush the other side of her mouth.

Clean Teeth
 

We also use the dental snacks and also we use dental wipes we got them from our groomer and petco.....:D you just wipe them on the teeth and gums as if you were using a tooth brush but instead its your finger wrapped in a dental wiped...we dont have any probs w/this we find it pretty easy

Had same problems went to vet who gave a wash it is thick and goes on your finger and you just lightly massage gums a few times a day. It taste ok, my Yorkies like it and it has helped some. Regards Edie Grien