My dog has GINGIVITIS!

[celerystalker]

My dog's dental health is in question.
My vet told me - I try to brush them, but I forget - plus he hates it!
Now his breath stinks so bad, it's gross!
He's allergic to wheat (he's a drama queen, what can I say?), so treats are pretty much out. I occasionally give him a greenie, but it doesn't help the breath.
I give him rawhides to help with chewing, but it still stinks.

Ideas?

 

[Parkers_girl]

I know most vets sell a liquid that you can add to your dog's water that will help clean their teeth. My grandmother had a few extra bottles and gave them to us last year, and our dog's breath smelled great! I would ask your vet about options that make it easier to clean your pup's teeth.

 

[LindaR]

Well, if it were ME, here's what *I* would do. Get the dog's teeth cleaned by the vet. And then switch dog food to a high quality grain-free food (not usually found at walmarts or pet stores like petsmart).

From this point you are basically starting over with a "clean" mouth and fresh breath. You start out brushing a couple teeth then stop. The next day brush a couple more (different ones) and so on.

If the dog does not like an actual toothbrush then there are cloth-like things you can put on the end of your finger (or just use a washcloth) (they are disposable things) and rub his teeth.

Your dog is just like you or me. If we don't take care of teeth then they rot and have to be pulled. Don't give canned food that often. Its soft and sticks to their teeth. Have plenty of toys that are healthy (Greenies is very controversial) because the more they chew, the more that "cleans" their teeth.

 

[LindaR]

Since your dogs "hates" having his teeth brushed, it is something that you will have to teach him and he will need to get used to. Are you using a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste? Do NOT use human paste! Dog toothpaste is usually flavored (chicken flavored or beef) and they like the taste.

 

[DebbieW]

I have three little dogs (a yorkie, a maltese, and a yorkie-maltese mix) and I take them to a wonderful, caring veterinarian whose word I pretty much take as the gospel. I recently dropped a few hundred dollars for teeth cleanings for both the yorkie and the maltese. Both had gingivitis. While I'll admit that I didn't do any independent research (searching the Internet), I believed my vet when he said how dangerous gingivitis can be to a dog's health. Left untreated, apparently it can cause organ damage and I just wasn't willing to let it go.

I don't have any suggestions for bad doggie breath, but you should look into having the dog's teeth cleaned. It's expensive, primarily because they have to put the dog under anesthesia and they have to do blood work prior to cleaning their teeth to ensure that no damage is already done.

 

[TashaRVT]

Gingivitis is sooo common, so not to worry too much, but it shouldn't be ignored!

Tooth brushing can be really challenging; I don't know how many times day I recommend it to clients, but I don't do it myself! Imagine how quickly your teeth would get nasty if you didn't brush your teeth? And even though we DO brush our teeth, we really do need to get professional cleaning done 2-3 times/year on top of that.
The main problem is that the bacteria and crap that makes up the tartar that builds up on their teeth gets into the bloodstream where the gingivitis is. Have you ever known anyone witha aheart murmur, or other organ problem? They always need to take antibiotics for a week or so before they go to the dentist; that's why - so they don't get a nasty bacterial infection in their bloodstream.

I know the cost of dental cleaning is expensive, but you'll be doing the best thing for your honey!