maintaining clean teeth

I tried the liquid to the water a year or two ago.   The boys tolerated  the water but really didnt like it so they would go outside and drink out of the outside water tub....or a puddle...lol!

   Raw bones are very good for cleaning teeth. Chicken wings are probably the best since they're not as likely to chip or break the teeth as a thicker bone. A lot of folks also use pork neck bones. Jessie can't have bones anymore because she has pancreatitis but before that I gave her beef ribs; she's a careful chewer and never tried to swallow large pieces. I tried turkey wings but they splintered easily, which is dangerous. I couldn't give her chicken wings because she's allergic to chicken. It's important to watch your dog while he's working on a bone.

  Since Jessie can't have bones anymore, I brush her teeth and give her raw hides. The combination seems to work well, and she gets a dental every year.

Raw bones is get my vote too.

OK, raw bones sound good. Def. willing to give that a try. My guys are about 45 lbs. How many and how often would you give them chicken wings?

I sometimes give them large RMB and Gotti loves them - he really gnaws them down but the chicken wings are perfect for Luna because she doesn't gnaw on the big bones. (She got hit by a truck in the head when she was younger - that's a story for another time... and ever since doesn't chew much with her back teeth, so placque build up is bad, but I think the chicken wings she will crunch on with her back teeth! )

Raw bones are great.  However, a diet that does not include much in the way of grains or other carbohydrates is the real key.  Unfortunately, there is no kibble that would fit into such a diet. 

Dogs don't have digestive enzymes in their saliva the way that humans do, so that gives them serious problems with cleaning vegetation from their teeth.

Of course, humans don't always do a good job of cleaning stuff off their teeth either. 

Having a dog that isn't genetically wired to build plaque fast also makes a tremendous difference. Since I have dogs who ARE wired to build plaque fast, I do regular dental cleanings, with x rays, at my vet's office. I brush teeth (they really like CET toothpaste), I use plaque reducing mouthwash (also by CET, I believe, chlorhexidine is the active ingredient), I provide raw, meaty bones to the dogs who can have them, and I provide lasting chews that do not need refrigeration (himilayan chews, antlers, etc). My 10 year old IG who had no dental care before she came to me is now up to a full year between cleanings, IF she does not develop abcesses below the gumline in between. That is huge progress. My younger dogs have beautiful teeth. Some dogs are going to build plaque faster (and some humans, too!) because of their genetic makeup.

 Mine get raw chicken wings twice a week.  "Who wants treasure?" and they all come running, ha haaa.  They also get beef marrow bones, and I've heard beef knuckle bones are good as well - those, I have to go the butcher shop.  Those I just call "bones" not treasure, so they know what to expect.

Any non weight bearing bone is good - so for chicken, duck, turkey: wings, necks, etc.

 Another good thing is sliced raw sweet potato.

 According to what I was told, most of those gels and water additives don't do anything.

This is the Veterinary Oral Health Council page. They approve some products, and I guess those there is some evidence they actually do something. 

http://vohc.org/

For Luke, I've started giving him a chicken wing everyday. I also have started to brush his teeth almost everyday, and I brush Callie's teeth daily. One of the vets near here has a tech that is trained specially in dental health. I don't use them, but she holds a monthly talk on dental health for pets, and I did go to that. Of course, being affiliated with the vet, she had to try to sell certain products, like the oral health diets, and tell us not to give our dogs raw bones. But, she did say that you do not need a special dog toothbrush, any toothbrush will do. This talk was held in a grocery store that has conference rooms upstairs, and she suggested that the cheap ones downstairs in the store would be fine, so  that's what I use. Apparently, the toothpaste is also not really necessary, it's mostly to get the dog to like it.  But, you need an actual toothbrush, those rubber finger brushes are no good. Luke isn't thrilled with getting his teeth brushed, but we do it, because it's going to be cheaper to take care of his teeth than to get them pulled. Callie doesn't mind it at all, which is interesting, considering that I never started brushing her teeth until March, and she is 2 1/2. I brushed Luke's teeth when he was really little, but he is the one who fights me.

In order to actually remember to brush their teeth, I started doing it at night when I take a shower. I bring them upstairs,and I do their hair, teeth, and nails (for Luke only if he needs it). I just put Luke right up in the sink to do his, and Callie's get done right outside the door. I always remember to clean myself up before I go to bed at night, so if I do them at the same time, I will remember it.  Picking a regular time and place was suggested during the talk that I went to. Callie even knows now that if I go upstairs with a towel, it's time to go up, and I don't even have to call her then.

Thanks for all the tips guys. I never thought that some dogs would just be prone to more plaque build up than others.

I will try the chicken wings and try to be more consistent with brushing. Luna actually likes getting her teeth brushed so that will be my new goal! haha

I get nervous about getting the dogs teeth cleaned a lot since they have to be put under for it. I really try to avoid that. Is it safe? Gotti will be 8 aand Luna 7 this summer. When do you feel a dog is too old to regularly be put under for things like teeth cleaning? Maybe I am being over cautious but I feel like there is a risk anytime a human or animal goes under anesth.

Gotti just got his teeth done so he will prob. be good for a while. I am saving $ to do Luna so hopefully in a month or 2

Anesthesia is a concern.  By age 8, the vet will require a senior blood panel (lab work) to ensure there are no issue which would cause problems with anesthesia.  That will push the cost up, too.  The other thing, as a dog ages s/he may need a procedure, and the vet will usually suggest combining a dental if it is needed, since the dog will already be under for other reasons.

I think you are on the right track, trying to find options to prevent the need for dental visits at the vet.

AllAboutTheAPBT

I get nervous about getting the dogs teeth cleaned a lot since they have to be put under for it. I really try to avoid that. Is it safe? Gotti will be 8 aand Luna 7 this summer. When do you feel a dog is too old to regularly be put under for things like teeth cleaning? Maybe I am being over cautious but I feel like there is a risk anytime a human or animal goes under anesth.

  There's always a risk but they're only under anesthesia for a short time for a dental. Jessie had one done a year ago at 12 at a half, and she did great. She will have another one done soon. My vet requires a full blood panel for any surgery and he also does a full exam. Jessie is also very active for her age; I think that if a dog is healthy, then they should do fine.