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Brushing a dog's teeth

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
Just wondering about all of you doggie folks: my Coal's teeth look a bit....ah.....like he'd been chewing on something he shouldn't. Mr. Chev....his teeth look pretty good. Chev is about 3 years old, and Coal will be 9 in September. Do the dingy teeth just happen with age, or....do you all actually brush your dog's teeth ???? Here's a pic of Coal with the "not so white" teeth. 067.JPG
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
We brush about once a week. I guess it wouldn‘t have to be as often if he was on a raw diet. Chewing bones definitely helps to keep the teeth white and clean. Regardless, I think teeth in older dogs aren‘t necessarily as perfect as in younger dogs. This doesn‘t mean that they can‘t have great teeth, but there will always be some natural wear and teae, which is normal. In addition to tooth color, I would take a look at their gums, which is an indicator as far as oral health is concerned. Brushing really is no big deal, and I would always recommend it.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Chiming in late....

We brushed our first dog's teeth when ever we remembered to... the enzymatic toothpaste did a really good job and clearing out plaque.
A bit of discoloration doesn't bother me - especially on older pups. If the plaque is building up at the gum line, I'd start a more regular brushing regimen.

Denna flosses with raw meat and brushes with bone-in cuts, so we don't brush her teeth. At 6 yrs old, so far, so good.
 

BattleDax

Well-Known Member
One of the many questions I have about Mastiff-life is regarding teeth brushing.

As you may know, I've had Dobermans for years. My first one, I brushed his teeth every day and he died at 8 1/2 with the teeth of a 2 year old. (Yes, I'm getting full credit for that – ha!).

I also have a metal teeth scaler tool which allows me to remove tartar. It's actually pretty possible to remove about all the tartar that is visible. The fact that nowadays I get tartar buildup points to the fact that I am far from as dedicated these days as I used to be.

Anyway, I am just wondering what it is like to brush the teeth of a dog with a lot of jowl. With my Dobes, I fold the jowl in with my finger of the hand not holding the toothbrush. I am having a bit of trouble picturing what it's like to brush and scale the teeth of, say, a Bullmastiff with all that wonderful facial skin in the way.
 

BattleDax

Well-Known Member
Surely now we have some Mastiff owners here who brush and scale their dog's teeth! Come on, what's it like dealing with all that glorious, slimy jowl in the way?
 

Loverboy Skyline

Well-Known Member
Surely now we have some Mastiff owners here who brush and scale their dog's teeth! Come on, what's it like dealing with all that glorious, slimy jowl in the way?
I think that' s probably because you're the most qualified expert here when it comes to teeth cleaning. If you can get a dog to stay still while using a teeth scalar, you're far better at that than me! Maybe you should give us advice on how you do that? I have enough trouble just using a toothbrush.
 

Zeela

Well-Known Member
Nope Nope and Nope...don't brush dog's teeth, she gets her rawhide treats and milk bones for teeth cleaning. A dog is a dog, let's not get crazy!!!
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I brush their teeth. My boxer can't have food that helps clean his teeth. He has megaesophagus and needs to eat soft food. I absolutely have to brush his teeth. He hates it. Ella is prone to tartar and I brush her teeth at least once a week. I should do it more. Neither of my two like it, but they tolerate it. Both get a goodly amount of slime going.