Any experience with scaling/scraping a dog's teeth?

Don%26#039;t have the financial resources to get it done professionally, but I have a flat ended dog tooth scaler.. my dog is very good at holding skill while I brush her teeth, but she%26#039;s got a bit of plaque build-up on her back teeth that I have to get rid of. Any tips? Again, no pros.

Any experience with scaling/scraping a dog%26#039;s teeth?
As others have said, work away from the gum line. You may end up nicking a little bit of the gums and making it bleed, but it will not hurt the dog and there is nothing to worry about. It is very easy make them bleed because the dog moved, but it is not a big deal. The plaque make all come off in one or two big chunks, but you may have to try to get it off just a little piece at a time (it just depends on how bad the plaque is). I would try to scale them about once a month, and continue to brush the teeth. She will eventually need a professional cleaning, but the scaling and brushing will make it a longer period of time until it is needed.





Also, you can try to sterilize the scalers in hydrogen peroxide, but rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol works much better and kills more of the bacteria.
Reply:Instead of brushing her teeth just give her treats called %26quot;Greenies%26quot;. They clean teeth. Look at the right size for your dog cuz if its 2 big he/she might puke.
Reply:Move the scaler AWAY from the gums. If you should slip then this won%26#039;t cut into the gum. Therefore, you start at the gum line and move down towards the end of the tooth.





Be sure and sterilize the scraper before and after using it on your dog. Peroxide should work fine.


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Just noticed the comment on greenies and I have some I haven%26#039;t given my dogs after reading that a dog%26#039;s system can%26#039;t dissolve them. If your dog can chew without breaking off and eating then something like this it might be fine. And you should not leave a dog unattended with any chew product of this type. Some can be choking hazards.
Reply:I will tell you there is a spray that is an enzime that eats the tartar and keeps it from building up at all much more productive but even the vets have to sedate them to clean teeth so I%26#039;m thinking it not a DIY task.
Reply:I do my dog%26#039;s teeth. If she%26#039;ll let you do it, that%26#039;s fine. Scale down. My Human Dental Hygenist taught me how to do it. It%26#039;s easier if you start when it%26#039;s not bad. Personally I prefer it because then you don%26#039;t have to put them under to get it done.



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