Leba III - why no other dental aid?

[Gardeness]

I've tried searching for the answer to this and even emailed the company just now; but I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me why Leba III directions say to not use any other dental aid in conjunction with (at the same time as) Leba III?

I've been using Leba III since the middle of June 2012 and I thought my dogs' (6 year old ShihTzu and 4 year old Yorkshire) teeth were getting much whiter. However, when I took my Yorkie in for his annual check up a couple of weeks ago, the vet says it is not helping (although he admited to not knowing anything about Leba III). I still swear both their teeth are so much whiter and cleaner than before using Leba III. I should have taken photos of both their teeth from before starting the Leba III.

The vet made it sound (basically) like my Yorkshire's face was going to fall off if I didn't get him in for dental cleaning asap. So I did take my Yorkshire for dental cleaning and while he was under sedation, they called me to say he needed to have 5 (loose) teeth removed.

I am just wondering if anyone knows why the directions of Leba III say to not use any other dental aid at the same time as Leba III? Could that have been the issue? I was using a dental oral aid in their drinking water at the same time.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[yorkiemini]

Probably due to two compounds that may not react well to each other. LebaIII
has ethyl alcohol in it. If you used two products that had that in it, it might be too much for the dog and cause organ damage. Always best to keep it simple

[AllDogBoots]

It's a great question. In fact I was going to contact Leba III to ask this very question. I've been using it for 3 years on Cooper and 2 years on Max. I think it works much better as a preventative rather than to actually reverse damage. Cooper had a vet appointment today and the vet said his teeth still look fine. He's never had a dental and he's 4. I also brush their teeth every other day.

[concretegurl]

Chemical reactions.

Also if yoy put leban on and the brush with tooth paste its counter productive.

[lisaly]

I read something about this, but it was over two years ago, and I don't remember any details. It has something to do with how it reacts with the saliva, and using other dental products interferes with that.

[Gardeness]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

It's a great question. In fact I was going to contact Leba III to ask this very question. I've been using it for 3 years on Cooper and 2 years on Max. I think it works much better as a preventative rather than to actually reverse damage. Cooper had a vet appointment today and the vet said his teeth still look fine. He's never had a dental and he's 4. I also brush their teeth every other day.

That's what the vet suggested - that it's a better preventative than a restoration product. Do you put anything on the toothbrush/finger? Or are you basically massaging his teeth/gums with the toothbrush/finger?

[Gardeness]

Originally Posted by lisaly

I read something about this, but it was over two years ago, and I don't remember any details. It has something to do with how it reacts with the saliva, and using other dental products interferes with that.

I'm not sure why/how other dental products would interfere with the Leba III in the saliva since it states not to give any food/water for 1/2 hour before and after usage. That 1/2 hour before and after should eliminate anything else in the saliva, shouldn't it...?

[Gardeness]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

Probably due to two compounds that may not react well to each other. LebaIII
has ethyl alcohol in it. If you used two products that had that in it, it might be too much for the dog and cause organ damage. Always best to keep it simple

True, simple is usually
the best way.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Gardeness

That's what the vet suggested - that it's a better preventative than a restoration product. Do you put anything on the toothbrush/finger? Or are you basically massaging his teeth/gums with the toothbrush/finger?

I put a little bit of CET toothpaste on a brush. I never really feel like I'm brushing all that well so I'm not terribly worried about the paste interfering with Leba III. That, plus in 4 years there have been no strange side effects. Every other day I brush with a little toothpaste and the days between I just use a fingerbrush and rub it around their teeth. The vet also told me that Max, my 2 year old's teeth looked so good that he may never need a dental.

I've been told by numerous vets to keep doing what I'm doing. With that being said, I suppose it's at my own risk as well as yours.

[Gardeness]

I promised I'd post the reply from Leba III if/when I received one. Well, they were VERY quick about responding and here it is from yesterday afternoon. Makes me start to wonder about my vet -

Hello Liz

Most of the other dental products have chemicals (antibacterial ingredients) that will destroy the herbal action of Leba III, which is promoting good flora in the mouth.

If you used it since June 2012, you did not use it long enough to get a full cleaning, some pets may need 6 months. You should use it twice a day until the teeth are all clean.

If you saw the teeth getting whiter then they were getting cleaner. In just a few more months you could have avoided the procedure under anesthesia. Some pet owners have said that loose teeth became solid again, see testimonials attached. You may have been able to save those 5 teeth.

We sell a few thousand Leba III to veterinarians every month. Dental cleanings are an important part of the income for vets, many would like a product that makes them unnecessary. Leba III is tested with the U of Guelph and we had 100% response, so it works, see info attached.

Stay on Leba III once a day. If you see any tartar starting to build up, go to twice a day. Pets with loose teeth usually stay on twice a day their entire life. Do not use any other dental products, you can look for the side effects of their ingredients on independent sites. Pets cannot rinse, they swallow the components, many are toxic.

Trust your perception. You have no conflict of interest. You only want the best for your dogs.

Thanks
Walter

[TxVicki]

While the product may make the teeth cleaner, there is no way it can get to the buildup that may be up under the gum line.

[Gardeness]

Originally Posted by TxVicki

While the product may make the teeth cleaner, there is no way it can get to the buildup that may be up under the gum line.

Perhaps, but it seems quite a few people (even on YorkieTalk) are saying their Yorkies no longer require dental work after using Leba III for a while.

[Wylie's Mom]

What is the active ingred in Leba? Is it an enzyme? If so, enzymes can be a bit fragile.

[Ellie May]

Their explanation makes sense. They don't want their product to become ineffective.

Unfortunately, whiter is not always better. The vet was probably looking at the location of remaining tartar, and most importantly the condition of the gums. You did the right thing by getting the dental.

[Gardeness]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Their explanation makes sense. They don't want their product to become ineffective.

Unfortunately, whiter is not always better. The vet was probably looking at the location of remaining tartar, and most importantly the condition of the gums. You did the right thing by getting the dental.

Thank you Crystal - I hope so. I hate to think the dental and anesthesia was done unnecessarily! I'll be checking his teeth much more carefully ahead of time before Mac ever has to ungo that again.