Non-anesthetic Teeth Cleaning!

[Guest Hokiebuck]

At Mountain Hounds this year we had a lady come from California to do non-anesthetic teeth cleaning on the greyhounds. You just signed up and she did it in about 15 mins or so. I think the cost was $150. She took some of your more uncooperative GHs and just laid them down, put one leg over them, and went to work. From the ones I watched I saw very little protest from the dogs once they laid down. She also gave a seminar where she spoke about veterinary dental training (or lack thereof), and ways to keep your dog's teeth clean. (she suggested peroxide and water...about 25-30% peroxide in water solution and a washcloth as a toothbrush). She also does this on cats as well.

 

Oh and I counted...she still has all 10 fingers!

 

Anyway, she'll be at Beach Bound Hounds this year.

 

Here's her website that has the before and afters of the dogs she did at Mtn Hounds.

 

http://houndstoothdental.com/dog-photos.html

[CaliforniaGreys]

I had 3 of my dogs done here at home and she did an excellent job

[Guest OMGiluvgreys]

She did my boy Dallas at Mountain Hound.And we stated using the hydrogen peroxide, his teeth are looking greyt.

[Guest VaGreymom]

I was watching her do a tooth cleaning in the hotel atrium. I did attend her seminar. I am using the perioxide and those soft things on a stick she recommended. For the life of me I can't think of what you call them. It is very easy to do.

[Guest fastdogs]

Thorough dentals include cleaning below the gum line, not just what you can see.

[turbotaina]

Thorough dentals include cleaning below the gum line, not just what you can see.

 

Exactly. Is she getting below the gumline? I don't know how she could on an awake dog. Does anyone know?

[Sighthounds4me]

I doubt she is. But my boys' breeder, a vet, admits that this is a good "in-between" thing. He does it on his dogs, too.

 

But, he also makes sure to point out that a good, thorough cleaning (under the gumline and everything) is best.

 

My vet (another guy) says the same thing.

[montgomery2524]

She does not go under the gum line. This is a routine cleaning and not a full dental like a vet should do. She does point out any issues she may see and recommend you go to your vet.

 

[cello]

Here is the problem that I see with an 'awake dental'. The teeth look shiny and white. The owner if not careful, can be lulled into a sense of false security thinking that their dogs' teeth are in good health and not get the proper dental care from a veterinary professional. Sort of like using Crest White Strips instead of going to the dentist for a proper cleaning. Cosmetic but not necessarily in the dogs best interest if not used correctly. I guess that this type of service is a 'buyer beware' - make sure that you know exactly what you are getting and what you are not getting.

[4greyhounds]

Here is the problem that I see with an 'awake dental'. The teeth look shiny and white. The owner if not careful, can be lulled into a sense of false security thinking that their dogs' teeth are in good health and not get the proper dental care from a veterinary professional. Sort of like using Crest White Strips instead of going to the dentist for a proper cleaning. Cosmetic but not necessarily in the dogs best interest if not used correctly. I guess that this type of service is a 'buyer beware' - make sure that you know exactly what you are getting and what you are not getting.

 

 

She does not go under the gum line, I think it might be ok as a in between but if you are paying for a in between why not do it yourself or pay to get it done right, dogs don't have smokers tint or coffee tint, to me it is a waste of money that could be put towards a full dental or etc. and I agree with Carol. Just my 2 cents whatever it is worth, but I would not rush my dogs to her when their is so many other things we could put the money to good use for, but on a positive note the peroxide is a "GREAT" idea.

[RobinM]

Quote from Dr. Bill Feeman's post

 

"NO dental specialists recommend an anesthetic free cleaning. You cannot properly clean below the gumline or take dental radiographs in an awake animal. An anesthetic free cleaning is basically like a teeth whitening preocedure in a person. Sure you have a pretty smile but you've left the bacteria behind which causes the real periodontal disease. Consider an anesthetic free cleaning as a cosmetic more than a medical procedure."

 

 

http://www.avdc.org/position-statements.html#cadswa

 

 

 

[Maddiesmom]

She did Maddie's teeth when she came to Charlotte prior to MH. Maddie's were not too bad but she did have some tartar that she scraped off. Kathy uses an oral swab that you can buy online.

[Guest LindsaySF]

I don't think it is a bad idea, but no substitute for actual dentals that get below the gum line.

 

I scrape Teagan's teeth with a dental scaler between brushings, it gets a lot of the hardened tartar that the toothbrush can't get.

[Guest MomofSweetPotatoes]

What's going on under the gumline? How much bacteria and crud is in there? Did they recommend veterinary dentals to those dogs that need it or did they just clean and go? Also, did they polish the teeth or just scrape them and allow the ridges they've made from scraping to remain, thus providing more rough surface area for the bacteria to easily adhere to?

Edited August 6, 2008 by MomofSweetPotatoes

[Guest OMGiluvgreys]

If there is a problem she will have you see your vet for a dental.

[cello]

If there is a problem she will have you see your vet for a dental.

 

But how would an untrained lay person even 'know' that there was a problem? Not all dental problems can be overtly seen. There is a good reason why DVM's go to school for all those years!!

[Batmom]

Don't know exactly what the lady does. I have had Zema's teeth scaled once without anaesthesia. She was juuuuuuuuust starting to get a little plaque that I couldn't brush off, and tech was willing to give it a try. Tech was able to get under the gumline to the extent needed (which was very little at the time). Tech tried same on Joseph a couple months ago but couldn't do it -- Joseph wiggled, even with very large vet sitting on him (kidding, folks) -- whereas Zema held still, probably in fear ....

 

I trust my vet to judge whether it is worth trying to do this or not. If teeth are ugly, with lots of plaque, inflamed gums, etc. ... he's not going to do it.

 

It also is not the cheapest thing I've ever had done -- vet needs to authorize it and supervise, and it takes a good bit of the tech's time.

[GeorgeofNE]

My vet routinely uses antibiotics for a few days BEFORE and several days after a cleaning for both cat and dogs. Scraping around under the gumline in all that crud with a sharp instrument--it's not unlikely that you could easily end up with an infection far worse than any tartar visible to the eye.

 

 

[Guest LindsaySF]

If there is a problem she will have you see your vet for a dental.

But how would an untrained lay person even 'know' that there was a problem? Not all dental problems can be overtly seen. There is a good reason why DVM's go to school for all those years!!

Check out this page on the site linked above: Photo Tour - Stages of Dental Disease

 

GREAT pictures and VERY informative! I think all Greyhound owners should look at those pictures, so they know when their pup needs their teeth cleaned.

 

 

 

~Lindsay~

[MerlinsMum]

Lindsay, where did you get your dental scaler? I brush Merlin's teeth but I'd like to use the scaler too, occasionally...

[Guest LindsaySF]

Lindsay, where did you get your dental scaler? I brush Merlin's teeth but I'd like to use the scaler too, occasionally...

I've had it forever, so I'm not sure. But I have seen them in the pharmacy section of a supermarket, near the toothpaste and toothbrushes.

 

I don't use the "mirror on a stick" at all, and I don't use the curved one (it is too hard to maneuver), I use a mostly straight one with a sharp side.

 

And you have to make sure the dog doesn't move, or else you'll nick the gums.

 

 

ETA: It looks kind of like this one.

 

But I think I am going to buy this dog one.

 

 

 

 

~Lindsay~

Edited August 6, 2008 by LindsaySF

[Guest Houndstooth]

I thought I saw you counting my fingers before I started cleaning your puppies teeth . Keep wiping. This is kinda of a request to all of you that I cared for at Mountain Hounds, there is such a short time since I saw you I would like to recheck everyone at Beach Bound to see how well you are wiping(and take more Pics) and help you if you missing a spot here or there and do some minor tune ups. oooohh these Rechecks and minor tune ups will be at No Charge. Kiss on the nose Houndstooth

[Guest MZH]

I used to do scaling at home too but changed my mind when I realized one has to be careful to not scratch the enamel. If one does, the teeth would then have little openings for more crud to get into. That's why teeth are polished after scaling. If one uses the scaler to pry large chunks of plaque off, that's probably OK, but scraping seems to be asking for trouble.

 

$150 seems pricey for a "sort of" dental. I paid $200 for a full dental for Rita, who has an unusual mouth and bite. This included painkillers, and the pricey anesthetics (sevo and propofol). I know it's much more expensive up in CT where we lived until last year.

 

OTOH, these folks do polish afterwards. The web site says they can do some subgingival cleaning, which surprised me. I do hope the greyhounds are lying on something sanitary and that they're not on the germy ground.

 

The people doing the dentals are dental technicians. Technicians who work in dentists' offices can find problems, so these folks probably can too. Most vets don't clean teeth either; it's the vet techs who are likely to do it while the vet checks for problems and oral cancers and such.

 

We'll stick to regular dentals for the time being since anesthesia isn't likely to be a problem (knock on wood).

 

Marcia in SC. Hmmm. I guess we should go to BBH to see this in action.

 

[Guest Hokiebuck]

I used to do scaling at home too but changed my mind when I realized one has to be careful to not scratch the enamel. If one does, the teeth would then have little openings for more crud to get into. That's why teeth are polished after scaling. If one uses the scaler to pry large chunks of plaque off, that's probably OK, but scraping seems to be asking for trouble.

 

$150 seems pricey for a "sort of" dental. I paid $200 for a full dental for Rita, who has an unusual mouth and bite. This included painkillers, and the pricey anesthetics (sevo and propofol). I know it's much more expensive up in CT where we lived until last year.

 

OTOH, these folks do polish afterwards. The web site says they can do some subgingival cleaning, which surprised me. I do hope the greyhounds are lying on something sanitary and that they're not on the germy ground.

 

The people doing the dentals are dental technicians. Technicians who work in dentists' offices can find problems, so these folks probably can too. Most vets don't clean teeth either; it's the vet techs who are likely to do it while the vet checks for problems and oral cancers and such.

 

We'll stick to regular dentals for the time being since anesthesia isn't likely to be a problem (knock on wood).

 

Marcia in SC. Hmmm. I guess we should go to BBH to see this in action.

 

I actually had dinner with her, and she is extremely knowledgable regard mouth/tooth disease and does not hesitate to refer to the vet when there is a problem. Also you'd be very suprised how many vets really don't have a clue when it comes to tooth care in dogs, thats why there's a specialty that requires an extra couple of years of training to specialize in.

 

If you're going to be at BBH, I'd definitely check her seminar out and also watch her do a few dogs. She's very friendly and helpful.

 

Oh and she usually does this sitting on the ground with her legs spread out in a V, the dog lays down between her legs, she drapes one leg over the dog, and the dog's head rests on her other leg/hand as she is cleaning. The dogs I saw her do were easier to do than the ones I do nails on. She definitely has a way with them.

 

[Guest Houndstooth]

I was watching her do a tooth cleaning in the hotel atrium. I did attend her seminar. I am using the perioxide and those soft things on a stick she recommended. For the life of me I can't think of what you call them. It is very easy to do.

The soft things on a stick are called Toothette oral swabs by Sage they are wonderful for cleaning teeth. And as an FYI I have been informed that they use these Foam Tooth Swabs in some Prisons ... apparently there is a problem with the inmates turning regular toothbrushes into knives.

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