Overall oral health?

[Mini Me]

So I took Thor to the vet today for a nueter and a small lump removal. He's a little young for the neuter still, (10 1/2 months) but I wanted the lump removed and sent away asap, so in he went.

The thing is, I ALWAYS get compliments on how white Thor's teeth are, but the vet included a sample bag of prescription diet dental formula. Ingredients in order are Brewer's rice, corn, chicken by-product meal. I didn't need to read any further....GAHHH!!! Why must they push this sh*t? I know, I know, they're selling. I told the doctor that I didn't believe in feeding corn and by-products, but still!

Anyways, question for the day. What does everybody do for thier dog's oral health? The vet said bones can cause broken teeth, and that he'd rather they were boiled to prevent salmonella etc. Doesn't that make them brittle?? Now I've read a bit on here, so I know plenty of people feed raw femur bones to help with teeth, and I have as well so far. Geez, I struggle with telling the vets that they're wrong. *sigh*

What about teeth brushing? Suggested brands of product to use?

Sorry guys, I thought I had the teeth stuff under control, but any advice would be appreciated.

[spidey]

I brush with CET pet toothpaste once a day in the evening (I try for daily brushing) and rinse with CET pet rinse in the morning. Brushing has been shown to be the best way to keep teeth healthy, second best is using an oral rinse, third best is chewing. The oral health diets do actually help reduce tartar, but I agree with you that the ingredients are crap (although it only needs to make up about 30% of the diet to be effective). I also give my dogs chewies (Greenies, bullies, Booda bones, Nylabone edibles). But most dogs will need to have a professional cleaning at some point (and if your vet's standard dental doesn't include dental x-rays, it's a waste of money), just like people do, brushing and chewing and everything else don't prevent all problems, nor can they prevent problems below the gumline.

[brunie's mom]

I'm afraid I'm not as good as spidey taking care of my dogs...but I do brush my dogs teeth at least once a week. I use Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste...and just a soft human toothbrush. It's true, raw bones do wear the teeth down and there is a chance of cracking a tooth or chipping one....but I do allow them to work on raw femur and knuckle bones. Once they have stripped most of the meat and good stuff off, I take them away. I also take them away after a day , because they get brittle. I do NOT have power chewers...they know when they've had enough. They also get bully sticks and raw chicken backs, as well as pork necks,etc. to chew on.

They both have beautiful teeth and have never needed any dental cleaning. China just had her senior wellness check-up, and at 10 years of age, the vet could not get over how good her teeth are...though they are showing some wear and have a few chips. Baxter's teeth are also white and perfect and he is 4.

The dental formula food, does have awful ingredients....and the dogs that I have boarding that are on it, have HUGE poops and honestly their teeth are not all that great. Brushing is much better for them then eating that corn laden crap. IMO.

Gina

[Inga]

I agree with the tooth brushing over feeding crappy food to keep teeth healthy. My old girl that I just put to sleep at 13 years old still had very white teeth. I brush teet and occasionally scale the tarter off myself. I have never had a dental cleaning on any of my dogs and their teeth have always been healthy. I do believe genetics plays a part in that as well. Some dogs seem more prone to dental issues then others. Brushing seems to work well and my dogs seem to enjoy the attention. I have used several different types of dog tooth paste and a very soft brush. I scale 2 times a year.

[brutus'mother]

I used to brush Brutus' teeth atleast 4 times weekly. Once I started feeding raw prey model I have backed off the brushing. His teeth are sparkling white and no evidence of tarter. He gets a good jaw workout and a good teeth cleaning every time he eats.

[Zumie05]

I also use the petrodex enzymatic toothpaste. I like that one because apparently the enzymes in the tooth paste break down plaque and tartar so little scrubbing is actually needed to help keep the teeth clean. I do like to use a toothbrush though because I like knowing that I am actually scraping dirty stuff off my dog's teeth. You can however just use your finger with this stuff and rub it all over your dog's teeth and the toothpaste does a lot of the work for you. Plus, it comes in flavors like beef or chicken so the dog's don't mind having you put this stuff in their mouths!

I try to brush Gary's teeth once a week, but sometimes he goes 1.5 - 2 weeks for a brushing. His teeth are still sparkly white though! What helps me remember is whenver it's time to trim nails I will go ahead and clean out his ears and then brush his teeth. Kind of like a little mini grooming session!

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Mini Me

...the vet included a sample bag of prescription diet dental formula. Ingredients in order are Brewer's rice, corn, chicken by-product meal...

Originally Posted by Mini Me

...The vet said bones can cause broken teeth, and that he'd rather they were boiled to prevent salmonella etc. Doesn't that make them brittle??

Well, I guess if the vet is pushing the diet dental formulation, it's no surprise the vet thinks boiling bones is acceptable.

Clearly, the vet has not thought about the fact the short gut of the dog and the fact dogs have a highly acidic stomach offers dogs great protection. (I feed the raw prey model and salmonella is not even on my radar.)

Yes, cooking makes bones brittle.

I do not brush my dogs' teeth and never have. Our 8 & 9 yo bitches (give or take--both are rescues, so we're guessing how old they are) have only been on raw since June 2007. When they get their weekly go-over I've scratched tartar off with a finger nail, but I've never brushed their teeth.