One of the most overlooked areas of our little Poms are their teeth. Many believe that brushing regularly will prevent tartar buildup, tooth decay-and the loss of teeth and jaw bone mass. While brushing does help to delay the tartar buildup-it does not prevent it entirely. Since your Pom will be anesthetized at your vet's before cleaning their teeth-it is important to make those occasions as infrequent as possible. Poms often do not do well with anesthesia-and have been known to perish from a simple teeth cleaning.
A FEW TIPS FOR SERIOUS TARTAR PREVENTION:
A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to a paste consistency can be used to brush and brighten your Pom's teeth and gums and greatly reduce the buildup of tartar. An infant toothbrush is the best type of brush to use for a better fit. Battery powered toothbrushes are fine as long as your Pom will tolerate the noise they make. Cut a very small square about 1 inch square from a piece of an abrasive type dish scrubber pad. Wet it and mold it over the end of your index finger until it is quite pliable.
You're now ready to begin serious tartar control. First, brush the teeth thoroughly using the baking soda and peroxide paste instead of your usual canine toothpaste. Be sure to reach the back teeth-and do not overload the toothbrush.
Next, use the scrubber pad molded over the end of your finger to polish the teeth- saturated but not sloppy with the paste-and thoroughly clean any remaining tartar. Slowly rub each tooth as completely as possible until all the teeth have been polished. Next take a damp cloth and wipe any excess paste and saliva away from the tongue, gums and teeth.
This treatment done once per month should help to minimize tartar buildup and prevent the heart disease that so often accompanies dental decay-as dental decay infection damages the heart among other vital organs. Antibiotics should be prescribed by your veterinarian-and taken prior to any teeth cleaning or extraction done by your vet as a precaution against infection entering the bloodstream and damaging your pet. If your Pom has a large amount of tartar buildup a complete dental will need to be done by your veterinarian prior to beginning this dental maintenance program at home.
A FEW TIPS FOR SERIOUS TARTAR PREVENTION:
A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to a paste consistency can be used to brush and brighten your Pom's teeth and gums and greatly reduce the buildup of tartar. An infant toothbrush is the best type of brush to use for a better fit. Battery powered toothbrushes are fine as long as your Pom will tolerate the noise they make. Cut a very small square about 1 inch square from a piece of an abrasive type dish scrubber pad. Wet it and mold it over the end of your index finger until it is quite pliable.
You're now ready to begin serious tartar control. First, brush the teeth thoroughly using the baking soda and peroxide paste instead of your usual canine toothpaste. Be sure to reach the back teeth-and do not overload the toothbrush.
Next, use the scrubber pad molded over the end of your finger to polish the teeth- saturated but not sloppy with the paste-and thoroughly clean any remaining tartar. Slowly rub each tooth as completely as possible until all the teeth have been polished. Next take a damp cloth and wipe any excess paste and saliva away from the tongue, gums and teeth.
This treatment done once per month should help to minimize tartar buildup and prevent the heart disease that so often accompanies dental decay-as dental decay infection damages the heart among other vital organs. Antibiotics should be prescribed by your veterinarian-and taken prior to any teeth cleaning or extraction done by your vet as a precaution against infection entering the bloodstream and damaging your pet. If your Pom has a large amount of tartar buildup a complete dental will need to be done by your veterinarian prior to beginning this dental maintenance program at home.
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