Easy ways to cleaner teeth

Veterinarians agree that tooth brushing is by far the most effective way to maintain a healthy mouth, but a preponderance of pet owners reject the toothbrush.  At first there’s some enthusiasm: You buy the toothbrush kit, go to YouTube, choose a video (60,300 of them at last count), and learn how to do the deed.  You might even brush for a few days.  But in most cases, the toothbrush and paste get shoved in a drawer, not to be found again until moving day. 

What’s a caring canine owner to do?  The pet industry realized years ago that we dog people want an easy way to maintain our pet’s teeth and gums.  It can’t take too long, and it has to be enjoyable for both the person and the pup.  In response to those desires, there are now hundreds of products on the market that claim to prevent plaque and give Fido good breath. 

Plaque is a sticky, colorless biofilm on teeth that forms when bacteria attach to the tooth surface.  The bacteria that live in plaque secrete acids that irritate gum tissue.  The irritation causes an inflammatory reaction that eventually leads to gingivitis and periodontal disease.  If plaque isn’t removed regularly, it hardens to create calculus, also known as tartar. 

Killing bacteria is the best way to prevent plaque from forming in the first place.  The most effective products contain the antiseptic chlorhexidine and usually are oral rinses or gels. Unfortunately, chlorhexidine has a bitter flavor, even if the products are formulated with palatability enhancers.  My clients’ compliance in using these products is almost as dismal as for tooth brushing. 

An easier way to keep plaque from forming is by scraping it off every day.  If brushing isn’t your thing, let your dog’s choppers do the work! 

Special dental diets are very effective in preventing and removing plaque.  In our practice we use Hill’s t/d CanineDental Health.  To have a tooth brushing effect, dry dog food has to hold together while the tooth sinks in.  With regular food, only the tooth tip makes contact with the food before the kibble breaks up.  With t/d, the entire tooth sinks into the kibble and is wiped clean before breakage occurs.  Hill’s secret is using long vegetable fibers to bind the kibble together as the tooth slides through.   Regular kibble merely crumbles.  Other companies coat kibble with sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP), a food additive that breaks down tartar and prevents plaque.  

In addition to special dog foods, hundreds of hard edible biscuits make oral health claims.  Just like kibble, they work by mechanically removing plaque and tartar. Some are coated with HMP or proprietary food additives purported to control bacteria and plaque. 

Close cousins of biscuits are edible chews.  Greenies and rawhide are perhaps the best known of this genre.  They work like kibble and biscuits, but in addition may contain enzymes and other additives to help prevent plaque.  Many contain ingredients such as chlorophyll, cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla, which temporarily freshen your dog’s breath. 

Google “edible chews for dogs” and you’ll see over 1 million hits.  Many of these products overlap in their functions.  For example, Breath-Less™ Brushless-ToothPaste™ Chews have a hard, ridged exterior that mechanically cleans your dog’s teeth as he chews, while the toothpaste inside controls bacteria, boosts the scrubbing effect and freshens breath.  The company declares that “your pet is practically caring for his teeth entirely on his own!”  

Non-edible chews can also be useful in removing plaque.  Soft Nylabones and floss or rope toys are typical.  To prevent tooth breakage, veterinary dentists caution pet owners to choose chew toys that are not too hard.

Both edible and non-edible dental chews can fracture teeth.  Edible chews also can cause gastrointestinal obstruction if your dog doesn’t chew them thoroughly, so make sure you oversee your dog when you give him one of these products, especially the first time.

Research in humans has shown that our tongues are the main reservoir of plaque-forming bacteria, so regularly scraping your tongue is helpful in preventing bad breath and tartar.  To that end, there’s the Orapup doggie tongue brush.  A tasty solution that supports a healthy oral bacterial population is applied to the ultra-soft bristles.  Your dog’s licking gently removes the bacteria on his tongue, which also helps improve bad breath.

Food additives are another convenient way to prevent plaque.  One product I like is PlaqueOff by Proden. 

Once calculus is formed, removal becomes trickier. A plethora of sprays, gels, water and food additives can soften plaque and tartar to boost the effectiveness of the above-mentioned products. We like VetzLife Oral Care Spray or Gel at our animal hospital.  The application (especially for the spray) is quick and easy.  When the product is used after meals for a month or two, the tartar will soften and can be removed much more efficiently by mechanical means.  I’ve seen thick tartar virtually crumble when scraped after regular use of these products.  Once the teeth are clean, you can usually reduce 

How does one choose from this deluge of products?  The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance is awarded to home oral hygiene products that meet or exceed the VOHC standard for preventing the accumulation of dental plaque or tartar.  A complete list of products that have been granted this seal of approval is available at their website.  These products have been vigorously tested by the VOHC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean other products on the market are ineffective.  

Although home-care dental products are a boon for preventing and removing plaque and tartar, some dogs really do need a professional dental cleaning.  However, using these products after your dog’s teeth are clean can extend the time between cleanings by months or even years. 

I often see a client cringe when I open their pet’s mouth during my exam.  They remember that last year I applied a solution to their dog’s teeth and showed them all the areas of plaque, which stained a bright pink.  They remember that I recommended brushing, and they probably left the office with good intentions.   With all of these oral care products on the market, there’s no reason to feel guilty anymore.  Just pick a few, use them regularly, and give your dog’s mouth a healthy makeover.