Cleaning your Shih Tzu’s teeth

Do you cringe away from your sweet little Shih Tzu’s kisses because she has developed breath bad enough to bowl a man over? Are you concerned that her health may be adversely affected by all of the tartar build up on her teeth? If so, it may be time for you to look into teeth cleaning. However, before you put your dog in a dental chair, you should make sure you choose the right option.

Dental cleaning and surgery are the most expensive and the most dangerous ways to clean your Shih Tzu’s teeth. These little dogs already have a bit of trouble with breathing because of their adorable baby doll faces. Adding tranquilizers or anastesia to the mix isn’t the best idea if it isn’t necessary. Before you ask your vet to perform dentistry on your pup’s teeth, ask for an evaluation. If none of the teeth are rotten and the tartar hasn’t turned the teeth to blackened masses, there are other less costly and less traumatic options.

To keep your Shih Tzu’s breath smelling nice and to remove at least part of the tartar, you can try using a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste. To be perfectly frank, my little girl doesn’t care to have my bristle covered finger scrubbing around in her mouth, even if the toothpaste is liver flavored. However, some dogs seem to almost enjoy having their teeth brushed.

Since most dogs enjoy treats, dental chews may be an easier solution. I use them with my little girl several times a week, along with a diet of dry food, and her pearly whites are nice and shiny. There are quite a few different treats out there, so if your dog refuses one brand, try a few others. Mine did not care for the first treat I tried and the second seemed to upset her stomach, but the third treat did the trick.

If your dog doesn’t enjoy dental treats or if the tartar just doesn’t seem to be coming off, you may want to try a final option. There is a new product made fro seaweed called Plaque Off. This natural product claims to reduce bad breath, tartar and plaque within six weeks. However, the manufacturer warms that if your dog has a thyroid problem, you should talk with your vet before using Plaque Off because it has a high concentration of iodine in it.