Dental Health

[GregPDX]

My 11 week old mini labradoodle is really beginning to enjoy one of the small "twisted rope pulls" that someone gave to me.  Gracie will work that thing like crazy in her mouth.  I've been thinking that I could dedicate that particular rope toy specifically to her daily (weekly) dental health.  I'm going to put a bit of my doggie toothpaste right onto the rope itself, especially onto the end part where she chews the most. I'm thinking that this could be just as beneficial (or even more so) as using the doggie toothbrush that came packaged with the toothpaste.  After the supervised chewing session, I'd take the rope pull, wash it, set it aside for another day, etc.  Has anyone else done this...any success?   I'm determined that I'm going to do more about Gracie's dental health after having had a four hundred dollar vet bill (tooth extraction/cleaning, etc.) for an older dog that I had in the past. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

There is nothing like an old fashioned toothbrush for this job and as your puppy is so young you can easily start now. I'm not saying the rope is a bad idea but when you brush the teeth you can see exactly where the paste is going. Both of mine are very used to me doing a thorough brushing. Riley is over two years old and his teeth are perfect. Boris is still only nine months and has pearly whites. Good luck :)

[nira rajavasireddy]

i struggle with brushing Laila's teeth, I'm not sure how effective it is. She chews on the toothbrush, but I figure it will get easier as she gets older. I'd still continue brushing her teeth with a regular toothbrush, but give her the rope toy as well. It can't hurt.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think this is an interesting idea but...it seems to me this would work for front teeth and canines but it's the molars, especially the back ones which have more problems decay wise.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Some dogs have teeth that build up tarter and decay and some don't, but I think you certainly can improve the odds in favor of them having healthy teeth.  My nine year old Springer Spaniel has perfect teeth - according to the vet, yet we have never done anything special for his teeth.  His diet is only dry kibble which might be a good thing and he loves to chew on sterilized bones or Nylabones which could also help keep them clean  - although there is some thought, especially posted on dk, that hard things are not good for dogs to chew.  My doodles are 5 and also have great teeth - although my smallest one has had a slab fracture (probably from chewing a bone or antler).

I think your plan is thinking outside of the box and extremely creative, but I think you could probably teach him to sit still for you to brush his teeth and do a more thorough job.