Best products for dental upkeep?

[Tallulah Bee]

For a while we used Tropiclean, which seemed to do little more than help with the halitosis. Tallulah also likes a greenie now and again and they've done a pretty great job cleaning stuff up. We use John Paul wipes at the moment, but I'm wondering if there's anything better out there?

I really hesitate with surgery. She's not even been fixed as the anesthesia risk scares the daylights out of me, so I try to work on her teeth myself.

Any recommendations?

[TxVicki]

She needs a professional cleaning. It is very safe to have the Dental done. Just make sure she has blood work before hand.

[Lovetodream88]

I would not give greenies those scare me more then anesthesia does. I use CET tooth paste and a tooth brush. Dentals if done correct are pretty safe. Always do blood work before though.

[sugarmamma]

We use professional cleanings then Sonicare toothbrush and CET toothpaste daily on my pup who had stage 3/4 periodontal disease.

Her vet is amazed with her pearly white teeth a year and a half after her last cleaning!!

[CouversMom]

I would definitely recommend getting professional dental cleanings. She really will be fine going under anesthesia if you get bloodwork done to determine if she is a good candidate for surgery. It really isn't an excuse not to get her fixed.

As for the greenies, those scare me. I wouldn't be giving those... They are known to be choking hazards. My two have not and will not ever have a greenie.

[mscat]

I recently bought both mine toothbrushes and toothpaste , however they will not open their mouths at all! The best I could do was get them a little toothpaste inside their mouth. Besides a professional dental done on them is their any other ways to brush their teeth? Why are they so hesitant to open their mouths? It is frustrating buying these products and not being able to use them, when I know they need their teeth brushed, does the finger brush work better then the regular toothbrushes? so far mine have not had the stinky breath associated with dental problems.

[imdll]

I have three dogs, a Greyhound/Scottish Deerhound, a Chihuahua/Brussels Griffon and a Yorkshire Terrier/Maltese. Our current dogs are 3.5 and 2.5 years old and have never gone to the Vet and had their teeth cleaned. We have had several other dogs in the past that have also never had their teeth cleaned nor had any tooth issues. I do not believe Vet tooth cleaning is something that is "actually" necessary for all dogs. I also wonder if teeth issues may sometimes, not all the time, be a result of "treats" and soft foods? Altough I'm sure that some animals just like some people can be predisposed to teeth issues no matter what their dietary habits.

Our Vet always remarks how amazing our Greyhound/Deerhound's teeth are. Apparently Greyhounds are notorious for haveing bad teeth. Our Vet also told us to watch our Chihuahua/Brussels Griffon because of the way her bottom jaw is she could have plaque issues with her front teeth but there have been no issues so far.

All our dogs eat Acana Adult Chicken and Burbank Potato dog food. They never have soft dog food and rarely have treats. Recently we started using PetzLife Oral Care Gel (mint) because I have wanted to make sure their teeth stay healthy.

I can't say it has been a miracle product because we didn't have terrible plaque issues to begin with but it has been easy to use and helped with dog breath. You follow the initial regiment of using it twice a day for two weeks and brush their teeth every 4 days or so to help remove any loosened plaque. After that you just use it once a day about three times a week for maintanence.

I'm not saying that doing what we do with our dogs would work for everyone. Each dog is different. I just thought I would share what has been working for us so far.

[alaskayorkie]

I've brushed their whole lives, and it's worked out well. I use that Petrodex chicken flavor toothpaste and a finger brush. I started out with just a little on my finger to get them used to it, then I gradually brushed with my finger. After that, I introduced the finger brush and let them lick a little off first. They don't love the experience, but they tolerate it.

Eddie has needed just one cleaning in 7 years, and Jillie's are looking good after 2 years with no cleanings.

[LovinOurYorkies]

I'm currently using Vet's Best Dental Gel http://www.vetsbest.com/pdf/VBDentalGel3165810096.pdf and I'm pleased with the results. My girls eat soft food in the morning and kibble in the evening... I do offer antlers, twiggies, etc. for them to chew on. They don't particularly like getting their teeth brushed, but they tolerate it I also use Leba III Lebalab Inc for nights when I don't brush.

[Charlie_Boy2011]

Originally Posted by mscat

I recently bought both mine toothbrushes and toothpaste , however they will not open their mouths at all! The best I could do was get them a little toothpaste inside their mouth. Besides a professional dental done on them is their any other ways to brush their teeth? Why are they so hesitant to open their mouths? It is frustrating buying these products and not being able to use them, when I know they need their teeth brushed, does the finger brush work better then the regular toothbrushes? so far mine have not had the stinky breath associated with dental problems.

The finger brush seems too large for my 5mnth old's mouth. What kinda toothpaste did you get? I found CET in poultry to work better than a mint/vanilla paste I was using prior. Start by just letting them taste the paste off you finger then eventually move to getting the brush in their mouth. You may need to just let them taste it for several weeks! I started on Charlie when he was almost 3mnths old I think. He is getting better. I get him to open and scrub down one side then take a break. Put more paste on and do the other. Then I let him brush himself, lol. He will sit there on my lap and chew the brush side to side and then I position it to get his front teeth...top and bottom too. Honestly he does a good job and although I get the paste on better he brushes/removes the plaque more thoroughly. He even puts his little paws up and tries to hold the brush.

[Britster]

I brush with CET toothpaste but I also use Petzlife occasionally as well as HealthyMouth and PlaqueOff (sprinkled on food).

Originally Posted by mscat

I recently bought both mine toothbrushes and toothpaste , however they will not open their mouths at all! The best I could do was get them a little toothpaste inside their mouth. Besides a professional dental done on them is their any other ways to brush their teeth? Why are they so hesitant to open their mouths? It is frustrating buying these products and not being able to use them, when I know they need their teeth brushed, does the finger brush work better then the regular toothbrushes? so far mine have not had the stinky breath associated with dental problems.

Just remember.... YOU are a LOT bigger than them. I can't imagine they weigh more than 10lbs, no? You CAN open their mouths. A little force won't hurt them.

However, I always made it a positive experience. I taught Jackson by having him come into the bathroom and giving treats. Any time he opened his mouth when the brush came near... he'd get a treat, etc. I conditioned him basically.