Teeth brushing

[Remysbiggestfan]

I just found out I need to be brushing his teeth? I ordered chlorhexidine gluconate- is this good to put on a q tip and brush with?

 

[zachburnav]

I never knew we had to brush them either! I'll reply to your topic so I get notified if someone more experienced replies because now I need to know lol

 

[Lizard of Light]

I've been wondering this myself because pretty much no one seems to talk about this. And if we should.....I need to know how to even get the mouth open. X'D

 

[zachburnav]

I actually did some research about this and im pretty sure if you dont only feed soft food you'll be good. Foods like squash and superworms , mealworms, dubias etc clean the teeth. Still not 100% sure tho but thats what I know.

 

[CooperDragon]

You don't usually need to mess with their teeth unless there is a buildup or sores start to form. Their teeth can be cleaned by the abrasiveness of the bug shells that they eat. If they eat more plants than hard shelled bugs, then you can clean off their teeth a bit with the chlorhexidine gluconate or MaxiGuard gel (zinc gluconate) on a q-tip.

 

[Lizard of Light]

Thanks for the input, guys!

Though, just wondering, do BSFL and silkworms (my main staples) have a hard enough shell to scrape the teeth? I could hear Ardie crunching them when I fed him today, but I don't know if that indicates anything (and silkworks are basically mulberry-flavored marshmallows with legs for the most part :lol.

 

[CooperDragon]

No they are too soft to make a lot of difference. Roaches and crickets have a nice rough shell/skeleton and cleaner crew like buffalo or morio beetles are great as an occasional feeder for dental health.

 

[Lizard of Light]

No they are too soft to make a lot of difference. Roaches and crickets have a nice rough shell/skeleton and cleaner crew like buffalo or morio beetles are great as an occasional feeder for dental health.

Thank you! I'll be seeing about getting some dubia soon.

 

[Lizard of Light]

Update: Not too long after I posted here, an adult black soldier fly emerged today and Ardie just snapped it midair after deciding to stick with the lurk-and-wait approach when he couldn't chase it down (he's in a 40 gallon Thrive Easy-Clean tank and can't jump very high). Guess that sort of takes care of my dental worries for today? :lol: