Dental Cleanings

Question:

Hello,

Does the product Gumz-n-Teeth help to get rid of plaque on the teeth.  I have a 16 year old Welsh Terrier whose teeth were cleaned a year ago, but I no longer want to have them cleaned because I do not want to put him under sedation.  I need to keep his teeth clean.  He eats a raw diet.

Also, I just read that Gumz-n-Teeth contains calcium fluoride.  I thought fluoride was not good to ingest.  I am very careful to avoid it in all my dental products, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.  Please advise.

Thank you,   
Laura Cox 

Response:

Hello Laura,

Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Gumz-n-Teeth does not get rid of plaque, it is a product to help prevent gingivitis and maintain the matrix of the enamel and dentin. The primary way to remove plaque and tartar is by physically brushing or scaling the teeth. Gumz-n-Teeth is an excellent product to use after a cleaning and polishing procedure.

This is a homeopathic combination therefore the nature of the product contains minute amounts of the ingredients. Ingested fluoride in dogs can become toxic but as a homeopathic preparation, this should not be a concern. You can use a finger brush, canine tooth brush or dental chew bone to help remove soft plaque; this may be enough to keep his teeth reasonably clean. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA