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02-17-2014, 10:00 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: usa
Posts: 158
| Tarter on teeth - heavy despite regular toothpast I have the CET toothpast with enzymes etc I regularly rub it on his teeth with my finger. He's too small to fit a brush in there, nor would he let me do this lol Well he's getting really bad tarter buildup and he's only 2 years old! Anyone have recommendations on keeping tarter down? I'm guessing I should get his teeth cleaned soon, but I was thinking what are good PREVENTATIVE measures? |
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02-17-2014, 10:44 AM | #2 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: MN, USA
Posts: 780
| Have you tried a baby toothbrush? |
02-17-2014, 10:48 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: usa
Posts: 158
| Is that the little rubber one? he won't let me put that in his mouth. he's so playful he just bites at it lol! I usually just rub the CET toothpast directly on his tiny little teeth. my finger barely can fit into the back ones lol! |
02-17-2014, 11:32 AM | #4 |
Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal
Posts: 9,874
| If he's got plaque build up, it needs to be removed by the vet under anesthesia...no amount of teeth brushing is going to remove the calculus. If not removed, it can become a major problem, leading to gingivitis & periodontal disease. 1st dental cleaning done @ 2 years old is very common for Yorkies, esp if teeth brushing is not done everyday. Feb is pet dental month, you might want to schedule for dental cleaning, vets offer a discount this month. We had a discussion not too long ago about what to use for dental cleaning, a loofa glove was recommended. I got a pair from walmart for less than $2. Cut off the finger, put some doggy toothpaste on it & used it for Momo's back bottom teeth. It works better than gauze or baby terry cloth since it fits in my finger. Better than nothing! I use a tiny cat toothbrush by CET for his top back teeth, he lets me do that. Virbac Animal Health — C.E.T.® Pet Toothbrush | United States You can get it from your vet or online, like amazon. My boys are scheduled to go in for their dental cleaning this Friday.
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02-17-2014, 11:45 PM | #5 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: usa
Posts: 158
| Thanks I'll get him his cleaning soon How often do most of you clean your dogs teeth at the Vet? Also the loofah glove is a great idea! |
02-18-2014, 10:22 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| Yes here are some links to some products you may wish to try. I have never had my boys teeth done at the vet, but I think that is down to what they eat. Welcome to Healthy Mouth LLC | the healthy choice for your dog, cat, horse Lebalab Inc Dog Dental Care | Pet Oral Hygiene | Cat Tooth Cleaning Product These three products I recommend. I don't feed kibble, which can often contains a lot of carbohydrates which cause plaque and tartar such as peas, potatoes and grain. So you may want to check the ingredients on your dog food to see if they are encouraging the build up. |
02-18-2014, 10:24 AM | #7 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| Quote:
How old is your dog, they don't recommend dentals until 3 years old because of the anaethetic. Try a few other options before resorting to that. Chewing on a meaty bone is an excellent way for a dog to brush his teeth surprisingly | |
02-18-2014, 12:34 PM | #8 | ||
Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal
Posts: 9,874
| Quote:
To your question of how often, it really depends on the individual dog. Their genetics plays a big factor in teeth & diet. Turbo has great teeth, he's never had anesthesia cleaning b4, this will be his 1st & he's 5 years old. He lets me brush his teeth. He did have anesthesia free cleaning done once awhile back. Momo on the other hand is the total opposite. He doesn't let me thoroughly brush his teeth, esp the very back. I'm able to stick the toothbrush & get the top molars, but he won't let me get to the bottom back...so I use the exfoliating glove (it's not abrasive @ all). B4 I knew about that, I used dental wipes, gauze, baby terry cloth, whatever I can wrap my finger in. He needs dental cleaning done once a year. I waited 3 years last time & he lost 3 back small molars. This was last year, so he's going in again this year. I don't want him to lose anymore teeth, he's only 6 years old. Also, if they have a bad tooth or some sort of discomfort in their mouth, they do not like their mouth to be messed with. That's another sign that it's time to have their teeth cleaned. Quote:
Would def recommend getting pre-op blood work done.
__________________ Last edited by mimimomo; 02-18-2014 at 12:36 PM. | ||
02-18-2014, 01:07 PM | #9 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| Vets have told me and also breeders. As you breeds are susceptible to complications and may not come out of anaesthesia. So I would do everything in my power to ensure my dogs teeth are clean and healthy in order to avoid this. |
02-18-2014, 05:43 PM | #10 | |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Quote:
If anything, it's the complete opposite. OLDER dogs are more at risk, not younger healthy dogs. Either way, studies suggest that for normal, healthy dogs and cats, the risk of death is approximately one in 2,000. For pets with a preexisting disease, that number increases to about one in 500. So the risk of dying, all pets combined, is a fraction of 1 percent. There is risks associated with everything that we do with our pets. But, to me, a dental is worth it if needed. I don't think scheduling dogs for dentals every year, when they don't really seem to need one, is necessary. But if a dog truly needs it, it's absolutely worth it. The risk of dying from a disease that started because of their teeth is much higher...
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier | |
02-18-2014, 06:23 PM | #11 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| I don't disagree that if needed it should be done but proper healthy diet and maintenance should reduce the need, don't you agree. And I don't know why young dogs would need dental cleanings. |
02-18-2014, 06:58 PM | #12 | |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Quote:
Just like in humans, kids that still have their baby teeth will still need to go in for cleanings. Baby teeth aren’t permanent, but the temporary molars and incisors are important space markers for permanent teeth to come. Apparently nearly half of children ages 2 to 11 had fillings on baby teeth. Filling a cavity in the baby tooth will prevent the spread of infection, keep a healthy pathway for the adult tooth beneath to grow in, plus proper chewing/nutrition for the child. Dogs are of course different than humans, but I wouldn't think it would be that much different. Simply being young doesn't mean there is no need to take care of teeth if needed.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier | |
02-18-2014, 08:54 PM | #13 |
Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal
Posts: 9,874
| Well the OP did say her pup is 2 years old & has bad tartar build up...plus he won't let her brush his teeth. So I'm assuming that his teeth are not in tip top shape. Mimi had her 1st dental cleaning when she was 2 years old. I didn't brush her teeth everyday like I do now, so yes she needed a dental cleaning back then. My vet has an anesthesiologist that monitors the anesthesia throughout the whole procedure. Administers iv, he's there to monitor the heartbeat, temp & whatever needs to be monitored. Overlooks the vet tech that is certified in cleaning teeth. Is there in the room to do any possible extractions, etc. So I trust him & they do a good job. I think dental care is very important for their health. Not everyone is comfortable w/feeding raw meaty bones. I wish I can, but I don't want to risk them breaking a tooth or puncturing their stomach or choking. It can happen & I am just not @ that level yet & not sure if I ever will be. Momo is a gulper & Turbo is a strong chewer, I think I'll have a heart attack while watching all 4 loll! Sometimes I give them dehydrated fish skins (Beams from THK) to chew on b4 their bath, but even that I need to watch them like a hawk & take it away when it gets down to about 2". I do feed them a premade raw diet & brush their teeth every night. They ea/ have their own toothbrush.
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02-18-2014, 09:38 PM | #14 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: King County, WA
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02-19-2014, 09:46 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| yes I'm sure it would be hard to keep your eyes peeled and I completely understand your concerns |
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