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Dental

Shih Tzu - Teeth and Dental Care

Overview

One of the most important things that you can do for your Shih Tzu is take good care of their teeth. This involves routine at-home dental care and professional veterinary dental cleanings as needed. Without this, there can be terrible consequences. This article will cover what can happen, easy steps to keep a Shih Tzu's teeth clean and healthy, and FAQ regarding 'full dentals' at the vet's. 
Shih Tzu with Dental Care Items

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Why Dental Care is Necessary

Without the teeth being regularly and properly cleaned, a Shih Tzu can suffer from halitosis, tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease), periodontal disease (infections of the gums, ligaments and bone around a tooth), weakened or loose teeth, and eventual tooth loss. As you can imagine, some of this involves quite severe levels of discomfort and pain. 

The biggest culprit in all of this is plaque. This sticky substance is produced around the clock, covers a dog's teeth, and within just 3 to 5 days starts to turn into tartar (a much harder substance that is difficult to remove). 

Brachycephalic breeds like the Shih Tzu are even more prone to dental issues than their counterparts with longer snouts. This is because the same number of teeth (42, for adult dogs) are set into a smaller area which leads to overcrowding and, consequently, plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach areas more easily eats away at tooth enamel and travels under the gum line. 

At-home Dental Cleaning Versus Professional Cleanings

You may be wondering if it's better to clean your Shih Tzu's teeth at home or let the veterinarian do a cleaning. And the answer is, both. This is because these are two very separate things. 

The daily care that you provide from home will help keep plaque at bay and take care of acute issues such as bad breath. Veterinary cleanings, often referred to as 'full dentals', are done as needed (anywhere from every 1 to 5+ years, depending on the dog's tendency to develop tartar, decay and other issues) and their tolerance for sedation. It involves x-rays (which requires light sedation) and usually a scraping to  clear away any hardened tartar (more details ahead). 

At-home Dental Care

When to start: 
The best age to start brushing and cleaning a Shih Tzu's teeth is as early as the 8-week mark. With young pups, even though their 28 deciduous teeth will fall out to make room for 42 adult teeth, dental care helps a pup get accustomed to having their teeth touched. So, it's wise to set up a foundation of good dental hygiene habits. 
What about older adults and seniors?
It's never too late to start. Older adult Shih Tzu dogs and seniors are especially vulnerable to suffering from tooth loss due to neglect of the teeth. This can have a big impact on a dog's ability to comfortably eat. 
The best ways to keep a Shih Tzu's teeth clean:
Shih Tzu dog with toothbrush in his mouth
There are several options, depending on what your Shih Tzu tolerates. 

#1 Brush your Shih Tzu's teeth.

This hands-on grooming task is the best way to thoroughly scrub your Shih Tzu's teeth to remove plaque and tartar, clear away debris and keep their mouth fresh and clean. 

Tips: The best toothbrush for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs is one that fits in their mouth without a fuss. Most general toothbrushes for dogs are too large to comfortably maneuver around a Shih Tzu small mouth; one designed for toy breeds or puppies will work best.


If you find that your sweet Shih Tzu does not tolerate a toothbrush, start with a fingertip-brush. This is a small dental cleaning tool that slips over your finger and allows you to brush their teeth that way.


Using a canine toothpaste is a must because it does not foam like human toothpaste, which can cause a dog to choke. Also, canine paste is designed to be swallowed and does not contain fluoride which is toxic to dogs.

Recommendation: One product we like is the Arm & Hammer for Pets Clinical Care Dental Kit because it contains all three dental care items we mentioned: a toothbrush, fingertip brush and a safe paste. This is also sized well for most Shih Tzu dogs.

#2 Use a dental spray.

This is not as effective as brushing. However, for Shih Tzu dogs that simply do not tolerate having their teeth brushed, this is a good alternative (especially paired with dental treats as seen ahead). This sort of dental product is sprayed directly onto a dog's teeth, ideally 1 to 2 times per day.


Tips: There are many types of sprays including 'doggie mouth wash', (which can be a great product for halitosis), but for dental cleaning you'll want to be sure to choose one that does more than freshen breath and is also formulated to work at fighting plaque.

Recommendation: We like Pets Are Kids Too Premium Dental Spray. It has baking soda, aloe and peppermint. Though you can add it to your Shih Tzu's water, it works best when sprayed directly on the teeth. Water additives are discussed next.

#3 Use a water additive.

This alone cannot take the place of brushing your Shih Tzu's teeth. But, it can be a great supplemental way to boost a dog's dental hygiene. This sort of product typically works by containing enzymes or antiseptics that break down bacteria in the mouth. These are designed to be placed into a dog's drinking water, so most are unflavored.

Recommendation: We like Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Care Water Additive. It's generally non-perceptible and can be an effective part of your Shih Tzu's overall dental care plan.

#4 Offer dental chews.

Shih Tzu with green bone dental treat
These are edible treats designed to clear away plaque due to their hard consistency, shape and texture. While these cannot take the place of brushing, offering one every day can be very beneficial in keeping a Shih Tzu's teeth healthy and clean. These are also great for keeping jaw muscles strong and can be thought of as rawhide replacements. 
Tips: Due to their very nature of being hard, these should only be given under supervision. If your Shih Tzu breaks a small piece off, toss it out. If you find that your little guy or gal easily devours the chew or can fit the whole thing in their mouth, thus defeating the purpose of gnawing on it to remove plaque, this is your sign that a larger size is needed. 
Recommendation: We love GREENIES Natural Dog Dental Treats because it is one of the few truly effective dental chews that are made in the US and there's tons of options. For sizing, the 'teenie' is for dogs 5 to 15 lbs. and the 'petite' is for dogs 15 to 20 lbs. And aside from the regular formula there's blueberry, grain-free, weight control, and a special one for seniors. 

Professional 'Full Dentals' 

Even with stringent at-home cleanings and care, many dogs require professional cleanings (often referred to as 'full dentals'). And, for those that had a lack of dental care in the past, such as rescued dogs, this is a 'must'. A Shih Tzu's tendency to develop plaque buildup and tooth decay, as well as their tolerance to sedation is taken into account when scheduling the frequency of this type of dental care. It may be done every 1 to 5+ years. 
 
Dental exams involve x-rays and cleanings that are pretty invasive, so this requires dogs to be sedated. It's common for owners to worry quite a bit about this, and even avoid having their Shih Tzu receive necessary care, but risks can be avoided with pre-screening, strict adherence to instructions (such as no eating or drinking after a specific time), and the use of IVs, warming blankets, and close monitoring during the procedure. 

Most full dentals involve the following:  
  • X-rays are taken to assess the teeth and surrounding bones.
  • Though the x-rays will be quite telling, teeth are also visually inspected for any signs of disease.
  • A flush is given to kill bacteria in the mouth. 
  • A dental probe is used to measure any pockets found between the teeth and gums.
  • Teeth are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar; this is typically done using ultrasonic scalers.
  • A special solution is applied to highlight any areas of remaining tartar that may have been missed.
  • Teeth are polished.
  • A flush is given a second time.
  • A plaque-guard agent may be applied.

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Do you have your book?

If you have a sweet Shih Tzu's, you'll want AllShihTzu GIANT Book of Shih Tzu Care. It's one of the most comprehensive Shih Tzu books that exist. We have this available in both a hardcopy and PDF eBook.

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