To brush teeth or not to brush teeth

[lindamarie]

When Bogart was a pup, we decided to start to brush his teeth. I then heard this really wasn't necessary by groomers and vets, so we stopped.
WELL! Bogart is 3.5 years old and I noticed some bad breath.
I examined his teeth to find his top back molars were a tad brownish and I freaked out! NOT AT THREE!
I had made a vow to never EVER have a dog with yellow teeth again!

At the Pet store, I found this stuff called "Tropiclean" fresh Breath made easy.
I noticed the difference within just 2 days......and I have to do it for 30 days.........but IT'S WORKING!!

I had heard that dogs shouldn't really have their teeth cleaned professionally until they are at least 4. PLUS, I'm not happy with the anesthaetic or the PRICE!

One lady at our vet office told me her 3 year old had to have his teeth cleaned because of a high content of "something" in her saliva which caused this. I guess all of her dogs teeth were changing to yellowish.

I know that Bogart doesn't use his back molars enough, so I'm going to do this gel brushing and I just started the Greenies. Hopefully this will keep his teeth white and bright? He needs to chew more bones......even though he eats hard kbbble, not soft.

Deepnite............do you brush Toby's teeth everyday? What do you use?

This product is natural that I am using and it's best done at night. No water or food for at least 1/2 qn hour.
I truly am amazed at the difference in just one week in the color of his molars!

[judycarl2001]

If dogs are fed a raw diet and plenty of raw meaty bones their teeth are MUCH better. Kibble contributes to the plaque build up for sure. Molly's only 16 months so I can't swear by this, but my daughters border collie has teeth that look like he was a puppy!

[deepnite10]

i brush Toby s teeth 3 time s a week..

on Toby s last visit to the vet..they wanted him back in for a cleaning, $400..

that got me thinking alot about what i should do on my own..to keep tartar buildup..i use the PetzLife..spray and gel..

for the first 2 weeks i used the spray to loosen the tartar..then began brushing with the gel..i just use one of my old tooth brushs..still it was nt enough to get the brown stuff off..

so i took to my Ebay again and found a dental tool that i could scrape his teeth..it took 2 days to get all the brown off..i brush 3 time s a week now as recommended by the vet to keep his teeth clean..the tool is very similar to the one used by your dentist..

for those who may have a hard time with their dogs..i d recommend using your finger to brush their teeth daily for the first week..then switch to a brush..and when your ready, go with a scraper..

i spend as much time with his ears as well..perhaps a bit more..

BTW..i just finished shaving his belly..it was a 3 day job as well..first day was with a pair of scissors..next day it was with the electric clipper and finally i used my razor..as you ll say..*smooth as a baby s butt*

[lindamarie]

A dental scraper? WOW!!
Does Toby just lie there and let you do all this stuff?
Bogart is really good, but I do have to fight him a bit. He sort of clamps his jaws shut and I have to do a bit of tugging!
I use the little, rubber finger brush. Maybe I should use a toothbrush??

Interesting about the RAW......but the raw, meaty bones must be the reason for the clean teeth.
We had considered a raw diet, but don't even know where to begin!

[deepnite10]

i started his grooming as soon as he came home..after a while he saw it as a act of affection..

with his ears..i trim d the hair with a electric clipper..one of those little clippers *as seen on TV*..and pull the hair out with a hemostat..

so it was nt that much of a deal when i started getting aggressive with his teeth..started out using my fingers..escalating to the use of a brush..he did nt see it much of a threat..so when it came to using the scraper it was easy...

one problem though..he ll lay their on his side and allow me to scrape the teeth facing outward..but, the difficulty was trying to scrape the insides of the teeth..it took little longer to them..i had to use my left hand to keep him from closing his teeth while at the same time, scraping away..

i will say though that he takes it alot better than i do when visiting my dentist..

this is the exact scraper cept i got mine on ebay..

Amazon

Amazon

[lindamarie]

That's pretty cool, deepnite.
I wish we had just kept on top of it, because starting at 3 years old is kind of a hassle.
I have a really hard time with his lower molars. He tend to clench his jaws really tight, so they're not getting the brushing they need, although they're good.
All in all, the teeth are definitely looking better in just 10 days!

[deepnite10]

keep it up lindamarie..and on day s you don t brush, use the spray..over a month period the tarter will become more brittle leaving the scraping a easier chore..it s not really easy..just easier than real hard..

using the gel as a the tooth paste allows more frequent brushings..when using some of the others that are a little gritty you ve got to watch cuz too much brushing will damage the enamel..

[lindamarie]

I need to get the spray then!

[deepnite10]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

I need to get the spray then!

im always open to easier to use supplies..i was just about to order some
of the stuff you had mention d..

i still use my fingers to massage the gums after a brushing..*don t know why, but
the dentist told me i should brush my gums..*..do you know why?

[lindamarie]

Not really sure, deepnite......but I think it has to do with stimulation and gum disease. Some gums retract and some can actually grow over the tooth. I definitely would use a soft brush and be very gentle, however.

[texasheathers]

I have been wondering about their teeth. The vet didn't mention it when we were in there and his teeth look ok, but I'm going to inspect them tonight - lol. We haven't brushed his teeth - and I'm not sure if his previous owners did or not. Rocky also isn't much of a chewer - he'll chew on a flavored rawhide chew until all the flavoring if off then he's done with it!

[deepnite10]

most of the unsightly tartar does nt look really grose till about 3 yrs..

i think regular brushing would prevent the need for a deep cleaning in a vets office..and when the tartar begins to build..the first place are the top 2 molars on each side..the insides are usually cleaner if your feeding
a couple milk bones each day..

im going to give an electric tooth brush a shot next..