Tooth Scaler/Scraper

[Nishasmom]

I noticed some tarter on Nisha's canines? (the big pointy teeth). Do any of you clean your own dogs teeth? If so what type of instrument do you use? Here is a link to the site I will most likely order from...which one would you recommend?

PetEdge: Scalers and Scrapers

[felicityjay]

hiya... yes i do clean fern's teeth...although not as often as i should <: (

The toothpaste i use came with a little rubber thimble that has little bobbly things on it to clean the teeth...seems easier than the toothbrush i used to use although my fried brushes her dog's teeth with a normal toothbrush and her dog has such beautiful white teeth a hollywood A lister would be proud of them!!! I haven't tried a scraper i rely on her chews to do that so i can't really comment on them (also i couldn't open the link)

[zorro13]

Scalers and scrapers aren't for frequent use, you can scrape away enamel using them too frequently. If your dog needs a tooth cleaning, take the dog to your vet and do the program prescribed by your vet regarding teeth health.

[spidey]

zorro13 is correct. Scaling/scraping the teeth should never be done without also polishing them, since it leaves little scratches on the enamel, and it can cause serious injury to the gums if you slip or the dog moves. Brushing at home is great, scraping or scaling should be done under anesthetic by a vet (and dentistry at the vet should include x-rays as a matter of course, there is no point in just getting rid of the visible stuff).

[brunie's mom]

Start brushing your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times per week...you will notice a big difference in the teeth. Use a soft human toothbrush and special doggie toothpaste. I really would not advise using a scaler/scraper.

If you continue to brush teeth even once a week and give a nice raw knuckle bone, or even raw chicken backs to chew once a week, there will be no need to have a vet do it. I would never have a vet do it, unless the teeth are really bad, or the dog is going to be out for some other procedure.

I've got a 4 year old Rottie as well as a 10 year old, and they both have white teeth. China's are a bit chipped and worn....not unusual for a 10 year old dog that has chewed raw bones for years.

Gina

[Cdn1050]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Start brushing your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times per week...you will notice a big difference in the teeth. Use a soft human toothbrush and special doggie toothpaste. I really would not advise using a scaler/scraper.

If you continue to brush teeth even once a week and give a nice raw knuckle bone, or even raw chicken backs to chew once a week, there will be no need to have a vet do it. I would never have a vet do it, unless the teeth are really bad, or the dog is going to be out for some other procedure.

I've got a 4 year old Rottie as well as a 10 year old, and they both have white teeth. China's are a bit chipped and worn....not unusual for a 10 year old dog that has chewed raw bones for years.

Gina

I agree with Brunie's Mom, special dog toothpaste and a dog toothbrush (brush twice a week), added with a marrow bone once a week will keep those teeth pearly white. I wouldn't go to a vet for teeth, unless they were really bad. I don't like the idea of having a dog put under to have them cleaned unless really necessary.

[abbiesdogs]

I clean Lotties teeth with doggy toothpaste and one of those rubber thimble things and she has lovely teeth but my rescue dobe had to have his done at the vets. I did try a toothbrush with Lottie but she tried to eat it lol.
Abbie

[spidey]

A proper dentistry by the vet is more than "cleaning" - there can be all manner of problems below the gumline which brushing cannot prevent (resorptive lesions, fractures, bone loss, etc.), although brushing IS very important and useful. The teeth affect the whole body (bad teeth can lead to life-threatening heart, liver and kidney problems, among others), and thinking of proper veterinary dentistry as just "cleaning" is inaccurate. I work for a vet who is in the process of board certification for dental specialty, and it's really amazing just how little some vets know (or care) about teeth - putting a dog under for a proper dentistry should be considered as much a part of good preventive health care as any other procedure, it is not "just" cosmetic (unless the vet only cleans the teeth and does nothing further, in which case it's not worth doing at all in most cases). The teeth do not have to look bad to have a serious problem below the gumline, dog teeth are like icebergs, the part you see is less than half of the whole tooth, which is why the AVMA recommendations include dental x-rays as part of routine dental work.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by spidey

A proper dentistry by the vet is more than "cleaning" - there can be all manner of problems below the gumline which brushing cannot prevent (resorptive lesions, fractures, bone loss, etc.), although brushing IS very important and useful. The teeth affect the whole body (bad teeth can lead to life-threatening heart, liver and kidney problems, among others), and thinking of proper veterinary dentistry as just "cleaning" is inaccurate. I work for a vet who is in the process of board certification for dental specialty, and it's really amazing just how little some vets know (or care) about teeth - putting a dog under for a proper dentistry should be considered as much a part of good preventive health care as any other procedure, it is not "just" cosmetic (unless the vet only cleans the teeth and does nothing further, in which case it's not worth doing at all in most cases). The teeth do not have to look bad to have a serious problem below the gumline, dog teeth are like icebergs, the part you see is less than half of the whole tooth, which is why the AVMA recommendations include dental x-rays as part of routine dental work.

This is very true...but after working for vets it is also a HUGE money maker.!!!
Many pet owner's do not realize that they do not have to have to spend $700. for teeth cleaning...if they start brushing their dogs teeth they can get control of gum disease and plaque build up.
Just like the vets like to push yearly vaccinations...they also like to push dentistry.
I've had dogs for over 30 years (many dogs) and have yet to ever had a dog with tooth or gum problems...and never had a dogs teeth cleaned. They have all eaten raw bones...and in the last 10 years or so I have started brushing.

If I had a dog with poor breath, bleeding gums, or nasty looking teeth , I would have it done...because you have to do what is needed when owning a pet.
I've had many dogs boarding that I've gotten the owner's to have their teeth checked out by the vet.

Veterinary offices are a business and will often recommend procedures that make money. JMO.

Gina

[fostermom]

My vet actually pops off tartar deposits with her fingernail...it's suprising how much can be removed by doing this...my old girl was too old to undergo anesthesia for a tooth cleaning, so she removed a lot of it this way, and my brushing her teeth with the finger brush several times a week seemed to take care of the rest.

[Nishasmom]

Originally Posted by fostermom

My vet actually pops off tartar deposits with her fingernail...it's suprising how much can be removed by doing this...my old girl was too old to undergo anesthesia for a tooth cleaning, so she removed a lot of it this way, and my brushing her teeth with the finger brush several times a week seemed to take care of the rest.

This is what I did; Nisha only had a tiny bit on her two front canines, so I scraped it off with my nail.

I have a doggie brush with some chicken toothpaste; I guess I will do that instead of getting a scraper. Thanks...I had no idea it could damage her teeth ...glad I asked first !