I've always "brushed" my dog's teeth weekly to bi-weekly (getting the toothpaste on the tooth always, actually getting it "brushed" depends on his mood). He hasn't been chewing as much since our pet store now carries almost all rawhide for the winter months and I don't want him chewing on that. I noticed his molars weren't staying as clean as the rest of his mouth lately, two teeth in particular have gone downhill really fast as far as getting gross (there is no pain or weakness in either tooth) They're the exact same tooth on each side, the other molars are getting rather stained as well, but not to the degree of these two teeth. His fronts are still fine.

This is 2 year 4 month (approx.) age dog....I'm wondering if this is something I should look further in to now or just keep an eye on. He's otherwise normal. Eating good quality kibble and a high quality wet food. His breath doesn't really stink or anything either (in fact had I not been keeping records when I brush his teeth I wouldn't have even noticed, he doesn't even really have "doggy breath" and never has). The brush doesn't take any gunk off, but if you rub the tooth with a Q-tip a little bit will come off (unfortunatly this is only tolerated for about 5 minutes before he decides trying to eat the Q-tip is more fun)

Problem tooth (the darkest part is a small crease in the tooth that's stained darker, there doesn't seem to be any wear into the actual tooth. The matching one on the other side is about the same, slightly less so. The tooth under it is the worse of his other teeth, bit of yellowing at the base but the tops are all white and shiny.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g7/Blitzava_art/DSCN5558.jpg

For comparison, the front of his mouth. The yellowing you see is the ONLY staining on those teeth. The mid part of his mouth is about that white as well, it's the backs that are not as white
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g7/Blitzava_art/DSCN5559.jpg

Any input?

That is the molar just below his salivary glands. Koenig's get gross as well. i bet that with some work Ryuk will let you chip/scrape that stuff off. Koenig and I can do it w/o anyone to hold him. When your scraping apply even pressure, and just take care not to bump his gums.


Koenig's teeth, for comparison, at 23 months. His molars were nearly as bad as Ryuk's when I started scraping. The staining may never go away- but if you can scrape the thick gunk off (it chips off- totally disgusting!) and prevent it from building up the toothpaste will help the staining.
Front teeth/bite
Front/Middle

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/turnnburn52984/Koenig/IMG_0746.jpg
Upper Right, #8. (Problem tooth) Right where the salivary glands dump out.


Edited by Kelly Byrd (03/21/2011 11:14 PM)
Edit reason: add links to Koenig's teeth, post scraping.

any suggestions on tools?

I do have some nice dental tools somewhere (I used them for sculpting) however if there's a way I can use something more disposable (I have some not-sharp-enough anymore exacto blades, needle tools, etc). The dental tools I have I'm afraid are very very sharp (much sharper than the exacto blades) so I'm wonder if the flat back of the exacto would be better? I'm sure he'd let me do some scraping. He's fine with most things in his mouth (holds still) as long as they're not flavored (he likes the toothpaste, he doesn't see why it has to be on his teeth). He's the the type to thrash either.

I mean, he got stung in the mouth by a bee once and had to stand quietly while I located the stinger and pulled it out. He was in pain then and just let me clamp down on his tongue and jaw....after that scraping should be pretty simple XD

I got mine in a set, super cheap. Dental tools. Cheap-O version.

The are not NEARLY as nice as the tools I'm used to using as a vet tech, but hell, at home, these do just fine. Honestly, dull and cheap is better for work that is done without sedation. Less likely to stab his gums if he twitches.

Koenig is the same way with the toothpaste, he thinks I'm wasting it by spreading at all around. It'd be much faster if I just let him lick it off, he says!

Stung by a bee, in the MOUTH? OUCH! Bummer dude! (I bet he still tries to eat bees and flies though, right?)

Hell, You could prolly use a butter knife if you're dying to get at it tonight. (I know I did when I first noticed how nasty Koenig's were. Then I used cuticle nippers. My poor dog... lol)

He actually learned his lesson with the bees...he was trying to be "helper dog" when he got stung. I stepped on a nest and got attacked (and was jumping around making what I'm sure sounded like awesome noises). Ryuk was snapping at the swarm that was going after my ankles...it was a nice gesture I guess? *eye roll* We've since perfected the "if I say run it's for a reason...so RUN AWAY" command....silly helper dog ended up getting stung once in the mouth, between the toes on a front paw, and twice in each ear, I got a sting between each toe on both feet, each arch, and a couple on my ankles...overall not a fun day.

I just experimented with one of my dental tools...Ryuk doesn't even care. He was interested in the tool (need to make sure it didn't have food on it lol). I just had him lay down on his side and he let me pick at his teeth...doesn't even bat an eye...he fell asleep after a few minutes...I think I can make this a regular thing. maybe do a tooth every night when he's laying on the bed.

Is there any dietary things that would help? I can not afford to feed raw currently since I share an undersized freezer that only works 50% of the time with two other people and don't have time to pick up meals daily...however maybe adding more or less of something can help? or modifying how I feed? Any toy or chew recommendations?

Poor you and Ryuk! That sucks. I bet you did make cool noises though. I've stepped on bees nests too, not fun.

What a good boy! I figured with all you guys do he wouldn't mind terribly. Did you get a bunch off? Gross, isn't it? I LOVE dentals.

I'm with you about feeding raw- live in an apt, with 2 kids, so the freezer is stuffed. Until I have room for a chest freezer, they get kibble. I don't have any real toy/chew ideas for you... just quality kibble, and you could up the brushing to every day. (that is what Koenig and I aim for... does not always happen) What toothpaste are you using?