Many pet owners (myself included for awhile) don't give much thought to their dogs teeth. My vet recommends that I brush my dogs teeth everyday. I mean to, but I often collapse in bed without brushing their teeth. I figure it's a good week if they get brushed three times. I know it's not enough and am trying to get in the habit of doing it daily.
I've purchased toothbrushes and toothpaste. I seem to have better luck using the finger brushes on my smaller dogs Otis and Lil' Bit, but I can use the regular toothbrush with Remy.I tried a vanilla mint flavor, but unsurprisingly, it wasn't really enjoyed by my mutts. So, I also bought a beef flavored toothpaste made by Arm & Hammer. So far, all three dogs at least tolerate it.
Another thing I've been doing is giving my dogs dental treats that are supposed to help (at least a little) improve dental health. I was giving them Virbac CET Veggiedent treats because they are VOHC accepted, which means the Veterinary Oral Health Council accepts the claim that the company makes. Virbac CET Veggiedent treats claim to reduce tartar. Having the VOHC accepted label means that this product has proven (in at least two trials) to help reduce tartar by 15-20%. Unfortunately, though, these treats are also 3.4 kcal (calories) per gram, which for the size small treats (25g) means 85 calories per treat and for the large treats (35g) 105 calories per treat. My dogs love these, and I highly recommend them if your dog isn't overweight. In fact, I will likely still give these to my dogs, but less often or will break them in half so they get a smaller treat. We are also going to try a couple of other dental treats that are VOHC approved such as Get Naked Low Calorie and Greenies Weight Management. I am going to have my dogs try a dental treat that isn't necessarily low calorie or VOHC approved, but might help with their teeth, called Nutrident Complete, by Nylabone. After they've tried them for awhile, I'll post a product review.
Some vets (especially a certain national chain) promotes annual teeth cleaning. Depending on your dogs health, age, and tooth condition, you may actually need this. I've never had a dog that needed it more than every other or every three years. I am not a fan of annual cleanings for dogs unless the dog actually needs it, because your dog will need to be put under general anesthesia, and this should be done sparingly. There are some vets who don't use general anesthesia, but this is not recommended by the AAHA or AVDC. This is because the teeth will not get properly cleaned if the dog is awake, and also your dog is more likely to be injured. As I like to say, prevention is key, so do what you can to prevent or reduce the need for dental cleaning. That being said, it is important for your vet to check your dog's teeth and gums for abnormalities or gum disease, which may then require treatment, including dental cleaning. I'm not against dental cleanings for dogs, I just think they should only be done when they are actually needed.
Older dogs, as well as those that are smaller breed often need more cleanings than their younger or larger counterparts. Older dogs naturally have had longer for plaque and tartar to build up, and gum disease to set in. Smaller breeds often have crowded teeth, which leads to normal methods like dental treats and brushing to not be as effective.
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| 3 yr old Remy with femur |
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| 8 yr old Lil' Bit with femur |
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| 5.5 yr old Otis with bovine femur |
So the takeaway is that your vet should examine your dog's teeth and gums annually, and you should follow their recommendation regarding dental cleanings. You can lessen the frequency of cleanings by working to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar by brushing your dog's teeth at least once a day and giving them dental treats designed to help.
Sources:
Pet WebMD
AVDC
VetStreet
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