Yellowing teeth?

[shilohismygirl]

So, out of my four, my eldest Fiddler and Shiloh who are about a year and a month old have been getting yellowy teeth. They're not grossly yellow, it's really just a twinge of it, but they certainly aren't the pearly whites that they used to be. They only get ground food once in awhile, less than once every two weeks. The only cooked food they eat is pumpkin, that they do get once a day, in very small amounts shared between the four. The others have beautiful teeth, still white as bone and beautiful. Fiddler and Shiloh were about 7 months when I began giving them raw food, and I got them when they were about two months. Is this normal? Oz is a year, and Hiro is about 10 months old, and have been fed raw from an earlier age than Fiddler and Shiloh. My questions are: Is this uncommon? Does it have to do with them starting raw a bit later? Should I be brushing their teeth? They do get gizzards, turkey necks, and eat plenty of bone, but this seems to not have made a difference. What do you guys think?

[Heather]

I've found that some of my guys have yellower teeth than others. I sometimes wonder if it's like people. Some people have gorgeous pearly whites and others don't. I don't find that the tartar is any worse, these ones are just different. Now, almost all my guys were a lot older than yours when they switched so that may be a factor too, but I had a little senior who once placed on raw had gorgeous white, glossy teeth (they were almost clear to the roots) but they were gorgeous and white. Her partner on the other hand, though her teeth are beautiful, clean they're not as white....yet both little ladies were fed the very same foods
What types of meats do you feed....whole chunked with bone?...what about gibblets or gizzards? These clean teeth almost as well as bone.

ciao

[shilohismygirl]

I feed pork, beef (steak), turkey neck, Cornish hen (bone in), chicken (bone in), rabbit (bone in), gizzards and hearts, liver (beef and chicken). On occasion, they get mice and also sometimes they get quail and the very occasional piece of catfish. In fact, today was gizzard day. They eat the very same. They're not overly yellow, but I feel like for ones so young, they shouldn't really even be yellow. I do hope it is an individualized thing. I know that the dental upkeep is very important. Should I try brushing their teeth? In any case, it's definitely something I'll keep an eye on. I want them to be happy and healthy into their golden years and beyond, and part of that is making sure their teeth are healthy.

Oh yeah. It's also worth mentioning that their gums are a beautiful, healthy pink.

[Heather]

Now, I know that some yellowing of skinkids teeth can be directly correlated to some of the antibiotics that were either taken by children during the time they were getting their teeth, high fevers or by antibiotics taken by their mothers. As most of us cannot even begin to understand what was given to our furkids ferents, this could very well be an issue. One thing mentioned to me by a ferret breeder was that it might also depend entirely on how many consecutive litters the jill has had and that if her calcium levels were low then our kits are going to be directly affected. It's just a thought
ciao

[shilohismygirl]

Yeah, that is definitely worth thinking about. I know that I am doing the best I can to ensure a great life. If it means that they have to have a little extra care in the dental area, that isn't a problem. They're perfect in my eyes, and having a little yellow tinge is not the worst that could happen to them. I just want to make sure they're healthy. I could definitely call up my vet and ask her what she thinks. I want to do the best I can for them, and do right by them, so I hope it's not annoying to ask questions like these. Thanks, for the info and the thoughts to ponder, Heather.

[Heather]

Remember, there are no annoying or stupid questions and why some of our little ones' have yellowing teeth while others fed the same manner is a logical question
ciao

[shilohismygirl]

I hope so-I sometimes feel like a hypochondriac when it comes to them. I'm always examining them for any sign of trouble. I couldn't stand it if I lost them to something I could have prevented.