How to reduce plaque

[FlyingNimbus]

My little doggy keeps getting plaque build up and I want to know how to reduce the amount if not completely eliminate it.

Any ideas?

[Lovetodream88]

Brushing and dentals as needed.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Brushing and dentals as needed.

Can it remove it all? i dont like the idea of my dog being put to sleep to have her teeth cleaned. She gets nervous travelling, and is terribly shy at the vet

[Britster]

Brushing is the best.

My Jackson is a nervous wreck at the vets - I have to often give him Trazodone for anxiety. He hates going, I hate leaving him, but he's had... 3 or 4 dentals now? and he will be 10 this year. Some pups have one every year.

I hate it so much I legit cried after I dropped him off at his last one in November. He lost six lower incisors So he REALLY needed it. Dentals under anesthesia are really so important, always get x-rays first so they can see what is going on under the gumline.

In the mean time, check out the list of VOHC approved products. They've had studies and trials and proven to be effective at removing tarter.

In addition, some products I like-
CET toothpaste
Proden Plaqueoff
Vetriscience Perio Powder
Petzlife gel or spray

I rotate between items. I also give some kind of dental chew, either purina dentalife or a Greenie or something like that before bed.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Britster

Brushing is the best.

My Jackson is a nervous wreck at the vets - I have to often give him Trazodone for anxiety. He hates going, I hate leaving him, but he's had... 3 or 4 dentals now? and he will be 10 this year. Some pups have one every year.

I hate it so much I legit cried after I dropped him off at his last one in November. He lost six lower incisors So he REALLY needed it. Dentals under anesthesia are really so important, always get x-rays first so they can see what is going on under the gumline.

In the mean time, check out the list of VOHC approved products. They've had studies and trials and proven to be effective at removing tarter.

In addition, some products I like-
CET toothpaste
Proden Plaqueoff
Vetriscience Perio Powder
Petzlife gel or spray

I rotate between items. I also give some kind of dental chew, either purina dentalife or a Greenie or something like that before bed.

yea i have been grooming her myself. getting mass amounts of dead hair as it seems to build up fast.xcx ill look into it

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Can it remove it all? i dont like the idea of my dog being put to sleep to have her teeth cleaned. She gets nervous travelling, and is terribly shy at the vet

It’s the best way because it gets under the gum line. Bad teeth can actually cause heart and other organ issues. There are some dogs that have to do it yearly.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

It’s the best way because it gets under the gum line. Bad teeth can actually cause heart and other organ issues. There are some dogs that have to do it yearly.

oof. I hope she doesn't freaks out.... i wish I could do it for her instead but i wouldnt know how....

do you think I'd be allowed to stay and watch? Last time it was done it wasnt cleaned as well... they missed the back teeth.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

oof. I hope she doesn't freaks out.... i wish I could do it for her instead but i wouldnt know how....

do you think I'd be allowed to stay and watch? Last time it was done it wasnt cleaned as well... they missed the back teeth.

That’s why they put then under anesthesia so they can’t feel it or get anxious. They also have to intubate them so the water the use doesn’t get aspirated. You can’t watch. She had a dental done before?

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

That’s why they put then under anesthesia so they can’t feel it or get anxious. They also have to intubate them so the water the use doesn’t get aspirated. You can’t watch. She had a dental done before?

Yeah last year.... She means the world to me. My best friend imho, even in comparison to my two legged friends. I want her to be happy, healthy and live the best life I could possibly offer her.

[yorkiemini]

My Cali has a terrible mouth and is the plaque queen.mmteeth brushed every day with PetSmile (VOHC approved) and she loves the taste. She also gets a dental every 3 to 4 months, since we have been doing this she has not lost any more teeth.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

My Cali has a terrible mouth and is the plaque queen.mmteeth brushed every day with PetSmile (VOHC approved) and she loves the taste. She also gets a dental every 3 to 4 months, since we have been doing this she has not lost any more teeth.

What causes plaque build up if you brush her teeth daily? Although I hear you're supposed to brush your teeth after every meal because plaque hardens in 2 hours or so.


I will look onto petsmile.

[yorkiemini]

I get the PetSmile at Amazon usually. Since I started doing it every day the plaque has decreased tremendously.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

I get the PetSmile at Amazon usually. Since I started doing it every day the plaque has decreased tremendously.

What about twice a day? I mean people are supposed to brush their teeth after every meal or at the very least twice a day. Would it be a bad idea to clean her teeth after her meal, set of treats? and before bed? If I manage to get her used to it. I mean I did get her to get used to brushing her fur for hours..... one day a week to remove fur build up.

What else can I do?

[KatysMom]

My late senior, Katy, did not have plaque issues.

I understand that brushing helps prevent buildup, but it isn't considered sufficient to eradicate existing buildup.

Likely you won't know how serious things are until the vet observes the x-rays and then performs the cleaning. Depending on what is learned, often from the x-ray, the vet may need to extract some teeth.

Were I in your shoes, I probably wouldn't begin a brushing regiment until after the dental cleaning. Yorkies are famous for masking pain--if there is any existing infection, tooth brushing could be very painful. I wouldn't want to risk my pup associating brushing with lots of pain. (I'm sure it is awkward enough for them in the beginning.)

After the dental, your vet can advise you on whether to begin brushing right away, or to wait a short period while the gum line heals up.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by KatysMom

My late senior, Katy, did not have plaque issues.

I understand that brushing helps prevent buildup, but it isn't considered sufficient to eradicate existing buildup.

Likely you won't know how serious things are until the vet observes the x-rays and then performs the cleaning. Depending on what is learned, often from the x-ray, the vet may need to extract some teeth.

Were I in your shoes, I probably wouldn't begin a brushing regiment until after the dental cleaning. Yorkies are famous for masking pain--if there is any existing infection, tooth brushing could be very painful. I wouldn't want to risk my pup associating brushing with lots of pain. (I'm sure it is awkward enough for them in the beginning.)

After the dental, your vet can advise you on whether to begin brushing right away, or to wait a short period while the gum line heals up.

While the gum heals, would it be good to just apply something to their mouth without brushing?