Jul 28
Try all-natural material that adds interest while at the same time helps to clean the teeth and gums of your Shih Tzu. Experiment with different fun shapes in different sizes to help keep your dog healthy. It is easy to fight plaque when you do it in a fun way!
Hard Rubber Toys
Hard rubber toys are great for an aggressive chewer. I have not found this to be a great problem with the Shih Tzu, however, it has occurred. If you find that your dog is destroying his or her chew toys, try replacing them with the hard rubber toys. There are many colors, sizes and styles available. All of these toys will help to stimulate the dog’s gums for improved oral hygiene and the variety of shapes and colors are appealing to the Shih Tzu as well as to the owners. Dogs in general love the different shapes. You will need to experiment with these toys to see which your dog prefers. A few shapes are:
o Star Explosion shapes
o Space Station shapes
o Cosmic Cone shapes
o And Rubber bones
The star explosions and space stations shapes feature protruding mounds and grooves to help entice appropriate chewing (while discouraging chewing on your furniture) and while cleaning the teeth of your Shih Tzu. The Cosmic cone has a fun cone shape and is easy to grab. They also feature a hollow center that you can fill with the dog’s favorite treats. Rubber bones are usually made from high-quality brightly colored material that resists even the toughest chewing performances. Most of these toys are available in sizes of small, medium and large. For the Shih Tzu, you should start out with small and medium sizes. The price is usually minimal.
Bouncers Ruff Chews
A hard rubber bouncer is a delightful toy that can entertain your Shih Tzu for hours, that is, if this toy is one he or she prefers. The bouncing toys bounce unpredictably when thrown; this makes playtime between the pet and owner extra enjoyable. The high-quality, hard rubber material these toys are made of makes them ideal for aggressive chewers as well as “teething” puppies.
The ricochet roller version is a toy and a rope tug combined. The ricochet roller version is perfect for the smaller Shih Tzu. The bouncible version is a ball with six attached cone shapes that creates a bounce this way or that when thrown. The ends of cones can be stuffed with peanut butter for an additional treat.
To help exercise jaws, clean teeth and provide entertainment to the Shih Tzu, try the Rrruff chew toys available. These are usually flexible, natural rubber toys that feature classic shapes pets just love. The grooved designs provide an invigorating chewing experience and promote better dental health. Raised nubs and ridges help to remove plaque buildup and will also massage the Shih Tzu’s gums. These toys are usually available in fun shapes that simulate a fire hydrant, bones or tug pulls.
Disclaimer: The toys mentioned in this article are manufactured by “Zanies.” The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Zanies Company or any of its employees.
Sep 06
Certain types of body piercing have existed continuously since ancient times. Today, in most cultures, body piercing has become more acceptable in the general population than ever before in history. Tongue piercing is especially popular with teens and young adults. Tongues are typically pierced by running a needle through the front third of the tongue, from top to bottom. Mouth jewelry, in the form of a removable stud, hoop or barbell-shaped device is inserted through the hole.
No systematic research has been done on the after effects of tongue art, so it’s impossible to say how likely it is that there will be complications from a tongue piercing, however, the American Dental Association officially does not support piercing in or around the mouth because of the potential for serious side effects.
Negative effects from the piercing process or from wearing the jewelry can include pain, post-placement swelling, prolonged bleeding, gum injury, permanent numbness, and loss of taste and oral hygiene problems. More serious side effects include speech impediments, injury or shrinkage of gums, damage to teeth, fillings, and other dental work, difficulty chewing or swallowing, cysts and prolonged blood loss immediately after the procedure. Infection is always a possibility – after all, you’re creating an open wound in your mouth – and includes the risk of contracting hepatitis, HIV and AIDS.
Tongue piercing also can result in an allergic reaction if the metals used in the jewelry are not of the highest quality. And even if the highest quality metal is used, all metal jewelry can injure the one thing that cannot easily be replaced, the beautiful enamel of your teeth. In a study done by a prominent university, of young adults who had worn a barbell through their tongue for at least 4 years, 47% had chipped teeth. Some studies show that the repeated bumping of the jewelry against teeth and gums causes gums to recede, setting the stage for periodontal (gum) disease.
However, if despite the warnings, you’re still planning on having your tongue pierced, make sure it is done as hygienically as possible. Make sure your piercer is experienced and licensed and works in a sterile environment with sterile, disposable instruments. Ask your dentist for advice on oral hygiene while the piercing is healing, including advice on brushing to avoid inflaming the tongue, and use of mouthwash to clean areas that your toothbrush cannot reach.
If you have a heart defect or a health condition that requires that you take preventive antibiotics before dental work, DO NOT under any circumstances, have a piercing done without seeing your doctor or dentist first. The needle inserted through your tongue during the piercing process opens your bloodstream to bacteria, which can lead to a life-threatening infection in your heart.
Also, be sure to get regular dental check-ups. Whether you have a tongue piercing or not, a thorough examination of your gums and teeth are needed to identify problem areas or potential long term dental health concerns.
May 27
The country is full of competent dentists, striving to improve oral hygiene and beautiful smiles. They all have a few things in common such as x-ray machines, the ability to fix broken or chipped teeth, crowns, fillings and fluoride. What makes the difference in dentistry?
I have been to several different dentists in my life and there is a marked difference in ability, technical equipment and finished products. I have concluded that there are a couple of reasons for this. The first being the moral compass of the dentist. Is he or she honest and forthright in their assessment of the work needing to be done? Not every filling needs a crown and not every crown needs a root canal. Just like a car mechanic, honesty is imperative in dental work.
The second observation I have noticed is that state-of-the-art dental equipment is crucial for good dental care. Laser technology can detect decay in teeth long before x-rays. Sand blasting can be used for fillings without any Novocain or numbing agents. Kids love this as no infections are involved.
Probably the most important aspect of dentistry outside of education and equipment is the personality of the dentist. Do they make you feel comfortable and at ease? Do they exude an aura of confidence are they up-to-date in their field with a passion for the industry? Are they personable and sensitive to your needs?
While all dentists are certainly not equal, there are great dentist serving the Los Gatos area that provide convenient hours of operations, work in attractive state-of-the-art offices waiting to serve you and your family.
