Can anyone advise on basic dental care?

[Shari Becker]

Can anyone advise me on cleaning Lexi's teeth? Truth be told at 18 months, neither of the vets we've seen have even mentioned this to me. Two days ago she was chewing on an old Nylabone toy and we noticed some blood on the edges. My husband said he thought that this had happened before with the same toy, so I put it away. But today she was chewing on a rope toy, and we saw a little blood again. (Although it's possible she cut herself a few days ago, and irritated it again today.) All this to say, it got me thinking about dental care. Do most people really brush their own dog's teeth? Do they have their vets do it? Is it enough to buy those Paragon dog dental chews? I used to give them to her all the time, but I just forgot about them a few months ago ... Thanks.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We do not brush our dogs teeth  (I admire those that do), but we do use Tropiclean fresh breath plaque remover pet additive daily in their water and I think it does a pretty good job, my girls are 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 and their teeth look pretty good.  We give them a small dental bone every day, they gulp them down so I don't think they do much good but it is part of my husband's routine with them so I keep supplying them.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Once a week I do their teeth.  I have Dental wipes and I actually use my nails to scrape along the gum line....my Vet showed me how to do this to loosen any plaque.  I tried using a toothbrush but they hated it and would not sit still while I did it 

[Karen & Maple]

I've been using a glove that's meant for use in the shower to exfoliate with. (Works great for that too, lol) Anyways, I put doggy toothpaste, Virbac, on the forefinger and thumb and gently scrub away. She actually enjoys and comes running when I put it on. You can get one of these at most drug stores or Walmart. Easier than a toothbrush which she hates.

[Wendy and Myla]

That's a great idea!  Especially if you start when they are puppies!

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

This is such a great idea. Thank You!!!! 

My dog is pretty tolerant of most things, but hated when I tried the toothbrush. And it was so iffy as to how much cleaning I was really doing. I think I can do the scrubbing glove without too much fuss from her and get a better job out of it.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Shari. Having just returned from a visit to the doggie dentist today for a recheck after Wally had one of his large molars extracted a couple of weeks ago, I know a couple of things about dental care for dogs. He broke his tooth on an antler, but the dentist warned against Nylabones, as well. I discovered the broken tooth myself, while brushing Wally's teeth one evening. When I saw blood on his toothbrush (Yes, I do brush my dogs' teeth.), I took a close look at that part of his mouth, and discovered that the tooth was indeed cracked. I am not saying that Lexi has a broken tooth, but I would definitely explore the possibility. The blood you're seeing could be coming from her gums or from a crack in one of her teeth. I use Virbac toothpaste, the vanilla/mint flavor, and my dogs don't seem to mind -- they don't love the experience, but they let me brush nightly. I give them a bedtime treat afterwards. I hope this helps.  

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I don't brush my dogs' teeth. I give them the Whimzees 2-3 times per week and the vet says my doodle's teeth look great!

[Christy&Riley]

PetzLife complete oral care spray is awesome! Riley's back teeth were gross and I started spraying them a few times a day and they are a ton better. We've tried TropicClean but it didn't seem to do anything to prevent/remove build up.

[Jennifer and Jack]

My guy is going to be six in March, he has had his teeth professionally cleNed twice, once just last week. I do brush Jacks teeth. I use PEtzlife ..its a little pricy, but I only use it once a week and it keeps things loosend off his teeth. He only got his teeth cleaned this second time because he was already going under anesthesia so I wanted to takes advantage of that.

[Shari Becker]

Thanks for all your input. I read somewhere that dogs need to start having their teeth cleaned around age two. Is this your experience? Maybe that's why the vets haven't said anything. I just ordered some more whimzees, and I will start with that. I'm not so keen on wrestling to get my dogs mouth open. I'm currently trying to nip a yeast infection (in ears), and she already takes off, hiding under the table when she sees me even opening the cabinet. At this rate, she'll just consider me dangerous all the time.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Maybe you can try getting her used to it slowly…just do it in steps..maybe for a week, just put the toothpaste on your finger and have her sniff it, lick it off.  Then, once you see she is comfortable with that, just use your finger to rub the toothpaste along her gum line, then stick with that for a week, or however long.  I use a piece of gauze wrapped around my finger..but i really like the idea of the exfoliating glove!  My vet even recommended using an old sock.

I think the key is, to get them used to it, especially at an "older" age is to just go slow, and get them comfortable.  We started Maxi our 15 month old very early…and now she just sits there and lets you brush away, Woody, who is almost 4 is a little more of a struggle..but it is my fault, bc i was never consistent with him as a puppy.