Chou Chou likes having her teeth brushed, which is very good because they are brushed almost daily.
Just one problem....
The toothpaste is vanilla mint flavored. The company also makes a poultry flavor, but who wants their dog's breath to smell like a chicken?
I also have a dental gel that I squish into her mouth after the brushing. I don't know what flavor it is, ("It's a pretty blue!") but she seems to like that, too. ("Oui! I am a cooperative puppy!")
This is National Pet Dental Health Month. Two weeks ago, I took Chou Chou to her veterinarian for a check of her teeth. I have been doing a good job of keeping them clean. No tartar! ("I have nice white teeth!")
But here's the problem:
Chou Chou had a hip x-ray last week. While she was sedated, the vet took a closer look at her teeth and found a cracked tooth. I just learned this today. It's possible she broke it while chewing a hard toy, but the vet said it is most likely she hit it on something. I don't know what happened. ("You could ask me! I might tell you!")
Her vet does a lot of dental procedures; she told me that the tooth is broken to the root and Chou needs an extraction or a root canal. ("So sad!")
One other option is to get it capped, but I'd have to go to U.C. Davis for that; I will make an appointment for a dental consultation. ("Just pick the least ouchy way!")
So be sure to brush your dog's teeth daily. But also have the teeth checked by a veterinarian now and then. There are worse things than tartar! ("Bad things happen to good puppies!")
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