I'm taking Tango in for his yearly dental tomorrow. Really, I think he should have one every 6 months, but I'm currently struggling financially and can't manage that.

But look.....I wanted to share these pictures of Tango and Jazz's teeth. They both got dentals in February of 2011. They are both fed exactly the same, I brush their teeth the same, they're given the same chews etc. And yet look at the difference in their teeth! Tango's are MUCH worse! They are both rescues, and I don't know a whole lot about their histories (Tango may have been originally gotten from a pet store, and Jazz I think directly from a BYB) and they are approx 2 1/2 years apart in age. Tango's teeth have ALWAYS been bad. His first dental was when he was about 1 1/2. His gums were inflamed, and he had to have three teeth removed. There have been no additional extractions since then, and I'm trying hard to keep it that way. Jazz on the other hand, other than having a bit of buildup, has so far never had any kind of issue with her teeth or gums. If there was any doubt that heredity and/or breeding plays a part in a chi's health (in this case their dental health) I hope these photos will convince you otherwise! This is just crazy!

Tango:




Jazz:

__________________

I have actually wondered if all chis just have good teeth as a breed until you showed these pics, but I definitely believe in heredity and breeding. I have to admit I have never brushed Lulu's teeth because when I tried as a puppy she was HORRIBLE so I gave up. She is 4 yrs old now, and the vet looked at her teeth a month ago and they looked like Jazz's. Vet said with the exception of some tartar on one tooth, all others looked good, and he didn't even suggest cleaning. Now though I want to start brushing but I'm afraid to. It may be irrational and I would like some advise but I'm afraid if I haven't brushed before 4 yrs old and start now it may loosen some kind of bacteria that might be dangerous to her heart. I know that sounds crazy but our Maltese died 2 days after I brushed her teeth for the first time and she was almost 5 yrs old--probably a coincidence, but scares me.

__________________

"A dog wags its tail with its heart." Martin Buxbaum

How often does one brush their dogs teeth? I've hears raw bones are great teeth cleaners!

when it comes to dentals...i have NO idea! i knwo dexter's is pearly white cept for the top like jazz's is. goodluck tango tomaro!

__________________

"I told him that if a lady who doesn't cook can make such yummy Jerky for Dexter then we can do it too" - Lynx8456

http://www.facebook.com/dextersheep

to much dry food? maybe you should try some dental treats, maybe greenies, my chi loved them, i give them mostly as chewing toys, obviously she doesnt get much of them, but maybe these would help, not that expensive the teenie's are 89 cents

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've tried them. And raw bones. And Plaque-busters. And Chlorhexidine. And VIRBAC chews you can only get the from the Vet. And every other blessed thing I could think of. I sometimes wonder how much WORSE Tango's teeth would be if I wasn't doing all that brushing and treating to keep his plaque under control!

__________________

WOW! that sounds like a LOT of work!!! the only other thing, its arm & hammer products, theres a booth for them in petsmart.

Lacey at 2 years old, had never had her teeth cleaned by a vet or by the breeder. Her breath was so foul when I got her in December that I couldn't stand to have her anywhere within a 10 foot radius of me. My vet said her teeth were TERRIBLE "as nearly all Chihuahua-teeth are". Her back teeth were BLACK. That's right; BLACK.
Determined to save this girly's breath and general tooth health, I went on a heck of dedicated cleaning spree.

I started brushing her teeth daily. There is a liquid tooth-cleaner to put in their water, and I used that as well. I also used the foam-cleaner (one squirt at the back of the mouth on each side) daily with her. Just 2.5 weeks of this nutty regimen, and her teeth were looking SO much better, and her breath didn't smell like she'd had her face glued to her bum all day.

While she fought the toothbrush for the first couple days, all I have to do now is plunk her on her back and say, "Torture time my little lady! OPEN WIIIIIDE!" (hahahaha) and she'll lie there contentedly while I brush her (getting there) pearly whites and squirt the foam in her mouth.
I still use the foam daily and have cut the brushing to 2-3 times a week. She's also learned to like Dentastix mini chews, which appear to be taking a lot of the surface tartar off and helping control new build-up.

I apologize for the semi-long post, but I wanted to share what's been working for us!

__________________