Tooth Brushing in Largish Dogs: Experiences?

[sandgrubber]

I have never brushed my dogs' teeth and never had a vet recommend that they needed cleaning. I've mostly had Labs though now I have a couple Springers.

 

I'm an oldie, and have lost count of the dogs I have owned.  More than 20.  

 

I recently got flamed in a discussion for stating that I have never brushed and my dogs teeth have always been fine.

 

Just curious, are there others who don't brush, and haven't seen a need to?

[Mairead]

I never brushed my medium sized dogs' teeth. I fed beef marrow bone pieces, the fresh piece given straight after a meal and removed when the soft ends were gone, the shafts being the harder section. 

This cleaned most of the teeth except the canines. These I cleaned (chipped the tartar away) with the side of the spoon end of a stainless steel teaspoon. You can probably buy a specialised tool that may do a more precise job. 

My dogs didn't have any dental problems until their teens, with the occasional broken or dead tooth needing to be removed. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Mairead
Clarity