Dental Health

[pirasha]

So the vet recommended that I get her teeth cleaned. I wanted to do it at the same time as her spay but the vet was uncomfortable with it as this would introduce bacteria in her system that he did not want as the same time as her spay since she has had a little and he wanted the area at sterile as possible. I understand that concern so I didn't push it.
However
Her teeth aren't awesome; they aren't bad but there's definitely some build up there; her dental health was a 2 on the chart (1 being best, 4 being really awful) I don't want to get her teeth done this year as she's been under anesthesia already (today actually) and she's been on antibiotics twice...so I think that's quite enough for right now.

At the same time dental health is really important to me; I had a cat when I was younger that developed a lot of health issues later in life because of her teeth (we didn't know to brush them)

At night I either brush her teeth with nylabone advanced oral care and a toothbrush or spray her teeth with Oratene breath freshener (it's an enzyme spray) and I think I'm going to get C.E.T. Toothpaste from my vet to use in rotation (I like to use things in rotation, cover all my bases)

She's got antler and non-edible nylabones that she loves to chew on

Anything else you guys can suggest to maybe improve her dental health? I don't really trust those "edible" dental chews unless someone here suggests a brand that works and can be properly digested. Thanks!

 

[MaplesMommy]

I have never brushed Maple's teeth (neither the cat's; I think Id lose at least 2 fingers if I ever try lol).
They chew on raw bones,hooves and moose antlers. And they eat a raw diet (so no sugar to build up on their teeth).

But I heard some people use coconut oil (& some even mix it with baking soda) and use that as tooth paste.

Does your dog like to chew?
I don't recommend edible dental chews at all. (Look at their ingredients...)
I dont have a better picture of her teeth at the moment, but knawing on things & cutting out all sugar has done the trick for us so far.

 

[Alice Kable]

Our dogs have always passed their dental exams because they are both active nylabone chewers. We have had our cat's teeth cleaned.

 

[Jakeyjake]

I use Doctors Foster and Smith Dental Cleaner which is a liquid that I apply with a disposable foam applicator.

 

[davidh]

Sounds like you are doing a great job of it.

 

[KimB3384]

I bought toothpaste and wipes but never used them because I'm lazy. I'm also insane, so when Beezy got a '1' on her dental exam this latest visit I totally freaked out because she didn't get a '0'. I did a ton of research and found a fantastic product called PlaqueOff. It's a Scandinavian seaweed powder that you add to your dog's food. That's it. No. Work. At. All. There's a compound in the algae that reacts with the dog's saliva to break down any biofilm developing on the dog's teeth. Since her teeth were already super white I can't tell a difference in any kind of plaque removal, but I can tell you that her breath is 250% better. There are no chemicals or additives in the powder, it's all human grade and tested on humans so it's completely safe. I got mine on amazon for $16 back in November and the container is still mostly full. I'll bet it lasts me until next November, or close to it.

 

[pirasha]

I have never brushed Maple's teeth (neither the cat's; I think Id lose at least 2 fingers if I ever try lol).
They chew on raw bones,hooves and moose antlers. And they eat a raw diet (so no sugar to build up on their teeth).

But I heard some people use coconut oil (& some even mix it with baking soda) and use that as tooth paste.

Does your dog like to chew?
I don't recommend edible dental chews at all. (Look at their ingredients...)
I dont have a better picture of her teeth at the moment, but knawing on things & cutting out all sugar has done the trick for us so far.

OH WOW! Just look at those pearly whites! Good Job!

I am under no illusion about kibble diets. It's definitely what has caused the plaque build up and I'm working on slowly converting her to a raw diet. Perhaps not fully but we shall see how it goes once she's back to herself after getting spayed.

I have tried coconut oil, but I'm just starting to introduce it into her diet so I don't want her to swallow too much of it too fast...I think I'd worry about the baking soda though..I'll have to look into that. I mean I've heard of people using that...I've used it like that too, the baking soda is abrasive so it scrubs teeth while the coconut oil attaches to the bacteria, but I don't think I'd want her swallowing the baking soda.

She is a big chewer, she's got antlers and nylabones at the moment. I'm also going to get raw bones for her next time I see them, I'm just looking for them from a company I trust.
[MENTION=600]Jakeyjake[/MENTION] - how does the foam applicator work? Is it more efficient than a toothbrush? I've never heard of them.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I know I'm overthinking things but I just want the best for my girl

 

[Jakeyjake]

Here is the link. Cat dental care: Dental Cleanser & Dental Sponges for Cats at Drs. Foster & Smith
I pour a small amount of the solution into a cup and sop it up with the foam applicator and rub the teeth with it. Sometimes they will bite on it too which is fine to get the solution on the teeth [MENTION=1465]pirasha[/MENTION]

 

[pirasha]

I bought toothpaste and wipes but never used them because I'm lazy. I'm also insane, so when Beezy got a '1' on her dental exam this latest visit I totally freaked out because she didn't get a '0'. I did a ton of research and found a fantastic product called PlaqueOff. It's a Scandinavian seaweed powder that you add to your dog's food. That's it. No. Work. At. All. There's a compound in the algae that reacts with the dog's saliva to break down any biofilm developing on the dog's teeth. Since her teeth were already super white I can't tell a difference in any kind of plaque removal, but I can tell you that her breath is 250% better. There are no chemicals or additives in the powder, it's all human grade and tested on humans so it's completely safe. I got mine on amazon for $16 back in November and the container is still mostly full. I'll bet it lasts me until next November, or close to it.

Huh sorry KimB3384; not sure why I didn't see your post before. that sounds awesome; I'll have to look into it. I have actually been using a seaweed powder just for some extra vitamins and I can attest that it works GREAT on breath. I'll have to find out the difference between what I currently use and this Plaque Off - perhaps it's the actually the same stuff!
[MENTION=600]Jakeyjake[/MENTION] - thanks! I'll have to look into that one; it would be good to alternate applicators every once in a while to make sure everything is reached

 

[KimB3384]

It's probably the same exact thing, just packaged in a teeny tiny container with a dog label on it so they can charge 10x the price for it. Someone in the comments on amazon said as much, but I'm a sucker for packaging. Of course, the packaging isn't even special so maybe I'm just a sucker. Anyway, if you find that it *is* the same thing, let me know.

 

[2bullymama]

I have never brushed Maple's teeth (neither the cat's; I think Id lose at least 2 fingers if I ever try lol).
They chew on raw bones,hooves and moose antlers. And they eat a raw diet (so no sugar to build up on their teeth).

But I heard some people use coconut oil (& some even mix it with baking soda) and use that as tooth paste.

Does your dog like to chew?
I don't recommend edible dental chews at all. (Look at their ingredients...)
I dont have a better picture of her teeth at the moment, but knawing on things & cutting out all sugar has done the trick for us so far.

:up:

 

[pirasha]

It's probably the same exact thing, just packaged in a teeny tiny container with a dog label on it so they can charge 10x the price for it. Someone in the comments on amazon said as much, but I'm a sucker for packaging. Of course, the packaging isn't even special so maybe I'm just a sucker. Anyway, if you find that it *is* the same thing, let me know.

Ha sorry for the delay - been supppper crazy! Anyway Yes! it is the same thing Plaque off is 100% Ascophyllum Nudosum powder (brown algae). I'm not exactly sure how/why it works as far as dental health goes but algae itself as some amazing health benefits all by itself including a HUGE Iodine content so I imagine works by fighting/ eating the bacteria that causes bad breath and plague . I also found out through my research that diatomaceous earth is actually the outer shell of the algae which I know a few people on here use

So pretty much Algae is awesome!
another interesting fact I found through my research

 

[pirasha]

Hey guys I just wanted to give you all an update in on Poppy's case anyone else is in the same boat.

I've been putting the algae in her bowl at breakfast (Acana kibble,tablespoon or so of algae, and a spoosh of goats milk or yogurt)
brushing her teeth at night (liiike every other night...I try to do it every night but sometimes it just doesn't happen) I use CET vanilla mint toothpaste (smells much nicer then the nylabone poultry) or spraying Oratene dental spray on her teeth. She also love her chews which really helps- she has an antler and two different nylabone chews that she loves (and rotates throughout the night).
Lately her breath has been sooo much better and her teeth are doing better and better each week! The calcified plague on her teeth (that yellow/black buildup) is actually starting to flake off revealing an nice white tooth underneath!!! I'm super excited about it, it's always nice so actually see progress! I just wanted people to know that if you work at it you can actually get your pups teeth to a better state than they currently are. Not that Poppy will never need a dental procedure - there are places I simply cannot reach that well with a toothbrush- but she definitely won't need quite them as much. So less anesthesia WOO!.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Hey guys I just wanted to give you all an update in on Poppy's case anyone else is in the same boat.

I've been putting the algae in her bowl at breakfast (Acana kibble,tablespoon or so of algae, and a spoosh of goats milk or yogurt)
brushing her teeth at night (liiike every other night...I try to do it every night but sometimes it just doesn't happen) I use CET vanilla mint toothpaste (smells much nicer then the nylabone poultry) or spraying Oratene dental spray on her teeth. She also love her chews which really helps- she has an antler and two different nylabone chews that she loves (and rotates throughout the night).
Lately her breath has been sooo much better and her teeth are doing better and better each week! The calcified plague on her teeth (that yellow/black buildup) is actually starting to flake off revealing an nice white tooth underneath!!! I'm super excited about it, it's always nice so actually see progress! I just wanted people to know that if you work at it you can actually get your pups teeth to a better state than they currently are. Not that Poppy will never need a dental procedure - there are places I simply cannot reach that well with a toothbrush- but she definitely won't need quite them as much. So less anesthesia WOO!.

Great news! Dental work at the vet is so expensive, it's a good incentive to do the work ourselves with our dogs' teeth.

 

[blushy]

Glad to see that you've gotten results! That's awesome! Thanks for updating us and letting us know what worked for you!


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[hannah]

Hey guys I just wanted to give you all an update in on Poppy's case anyone else is in the same boat.

I've been putting the algae in her bowl at breakfast (Acana kibble,tablespoon or so of algae, and a spoosh of goats milk or yogurt)
brushing her teeth at night (liiike every other night...I try to do it every night but sometimes it just doesn't happen) I use CET vanilla mint toothpaste (smells much nicer then the nylabone poultry) or spraying Oratene dental spray on her teeth. She also love her chews which really helps- she has an antler and two different nylabone chews that she loves (and rotates throughout the night).
Lately her breath has been sooo much better and her teeth are doing better and better each week! The calcified plague on her teeth (that yellow/black buildup) is actually starting to flake off revealing an nice white tooth underneath!!! I'm super excited about it, it's always nice so actually see progress! I just wanted people to know that if you work at it you can actually get your pups teeth to a better state than they currently are. Not that Poppy will never need a dental procedure - there are places I simply cannot reach that well with a toothbrush- but she definitely won't need quite them as much. So less anesthesia WOO!.

Awesome! Feels good to get results.

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