Dog Dental Care Products and Tips

Why is dog dental care important? Did you know that 80% of dogs show symptoms of oral disease? In fact, veterinarians feel that oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs. Although dogs rarely get cavities, they are prone to developing dental problems such as gum disease and excessive tartar build-up on their teeth.

If problems continue to go unnoticed, they can worsen and lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s deep supporting structure. Such infections may lead to loose teeth, painful abscesses, bone loss, or infection.

In honor of Pet Dental Health Month, Jeffers would like to highlight a few of our favorite dog dental care products. We will also provide tips to help with maintaining your dog's dental health. Developing a first line of defense to combat dental problems, along with frequent examinations, will help keep your dog’s teeth clean and gums healthy.

Continue reading for a few tips and products to maintain your dog’s dental health.

Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Most dogs take some time getting used to someone poking around inside their mouth. Ideally, you should introduce dental care when your dog is still a puppy, but it’s never too late! Just take a slow, patient approach. Remember that treats and love go a long way in winning over a cautious pet. Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth can remove plaque that develops along their gum line. It is also the first line of defense to combat dog dental problems. Brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week with dog dental care products made for dogs.

Five of our favorite kinds of toothpaste and brush free products for dogs include:

1. Nutri-Vet Enzymatic Canine Toothpaste: A non-foaming, great-tasting toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs. Regular use can help prevent the build-up of tartar.
2. Oratene Brushless Oral Care Toothpaste Gel: Helps dissolve plaque biofilm and inhibits bacteria that cause bad breath through the use of a natural multi-complex enzyme. It also reduces bad breath associated with cancer, diabetes, anxiety, medication, and old age.
3. Vetality Brush Free oral Gel for Dogs: Brush Free oral gel technology takes the hard work out of pet dental care. This once-a-week treatment requires no brushing - just swipe a couple of drops directly on the gums once a week.
4. Nutri-Vet Dental Hygiene Kit for Dogs: This kit is a convenient way to maintain healthy gums and teeth in dogs of all ages. It includes everything you’ll need to start brushing your dog’s teeth.
5. Vet Worthy Chewable Toothpaste, 60 count: This product helps to support teeth and gum health in canines. It is intended to aid in keeping plaque, tartar and bad breath at bay when one is unable to brush their dog’s teeth. Key ingredients include zeolites which help to keep plaque from sticking to teeth and propolis which helps reduce bad breath. This is an enticing liver flavor dogs love and is intended to be ingested.

Use Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Designed for Dogs

Don’t forget to make sure your dog has a fresh and clean toothbrush! Nutri-Vet Dental Hygiene Kit for Dogs toothbrush has an angled head, soft bristles, and a slim design. They are specifically designed for dogs. Oratene Brushless Toothpaste Gel: is a great option for dogs.

This #1 veterinarian recommended brushless toothpaste gel utilizes over 35 years of Dry Mouth enzyme technology. Oratene Brushless Oral Care helps dissolve plaque biofilm and inhibits bacteria that cause bad breath through the use of the most complete, natural multi-complex enzyme system available. Helps alleviate bad breath associated with: Cancer, Diabetes, Anxiety, medications, and old age.

(NOTE: Do not use toothpaste made for humans. Its foaming action is unpleasant for dogs due to the inability to spit and rinse after use).

Use Dog Dental Tools

The second line of defense for maintaining your dog’s dental care regimen is removing and reducing tartar build-up. When plaque is not removed, tartar begins to form on the teeth. This encourages additional bacterial growth. Bacteria growth may result in loosened teeth, painful abscesses, bone loss, or infection. Dog dental tools, sprays, and water additives may help reduce tartar and plaque build-up. Check out these five dog dental tool products that can help:

1. Double End Tooth Scrapers: These scrapers are stainless steel and remove tartar build-up for better dog dental health.
2. Davis Dental Wipes, 50 count: A soft, durable wipe that has been pre-moistened with a mild chlorhexidine solution and enhanced with baking soda and peppermint.
3. Oratene Brushless Breath Freshener: A daily spray that freshens breath, kills bacteria and removes plaque. It's great for dogs who suffer from dry mouth.
4. Vetality Brush Free Oral for dogs: Brush Free oral gel technology takes the hard work out of pet dental care. This once-a-week treatment requires no brushing - just swipe a couple of drops directly on the gums once a week.
5. V.P.S. Oral Rinse: This rinse has an antimicrobial, anti-plaque, and anti-calculus formula that aids in preventing tooth and gum disease.

Give Daily Dog Dental Chews and Treats

The last line of defense in dog dental care products are dog dental chews and treats. Chewing is natural for dogs and helps to keep teeth clean and strong. Dog dental chews encourage natural chewing behaviors. They also help control plaque, tartar build-up and help freshen breath. Choose from these chews or browse our entire selection of dog dental care chews and treats.

1. Loving Pets’ Ora-Bone: A unique, patent-pending design and three breath-freshening ingredients make this a great treat for maintaining your dog’s dental health.
2. Probios Dental Sticks: Designed to help maintain proper digestion while cleaning your dog's teeth and freshening their breath, these dental sticks are veterinarian recommended, contain natural ingredients, and are ideal for daily use.
3. Greenies Dog Dental Treats: Clinically proven to help clean dogs' teeth by removing plaque and tartar buildup while freshening breath, Greenies Dog Dental Treats are a go-to dog dental treat. Made in the USA, these treats help maintain healthier teeth and gums.
4. RedBarn Chew-A-Bulls toothbrush Natural Dental Treats: A tasty way to brush your dog's teeth. This "toothbrush" is designed with fun ridges and grooves to reach the nooks and crannies between dog's teeth and gums, each treat helps control tartar buildup while gently massaging gums and scraping away harmful plaque.
5. Dental buddies Dental Treats: uniquely designed with 360-degree ridges that can help reduce build up, freshen breath and improve overall dental hygiene. It’s an edible toothbrush that your dog will love!

Dog dental care products, plus regular visits for cleaning, and if necessary, scaling, is the best way to prevent dog dental problems. Remember that keeping your pets’ teeth clean and their gums healthy is important for more than just fresh breath.

Looking for more options? Check out Jeffers’ full line of dog dental care products. Like this blog post? Check out Top 3 Dog Dental Health Tips from Renee.

The information given here is meant to be helpful and/or educational. It is, in no way intended to supersede, challenge, or supplant the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a licensed veterinarian.