A Veterinary Nurse’s Guide to Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaner – Without the Toothbrush Battle!
When we talk about dog dental care, brushing is often recommended as the gold standard – and there’s a good reason for that. Regular brushing physically removes plaque from the surface of the teeth before it has the opportunity to harden into tartar.
But let’s be honest…
Not every dog is going to happily sit there while you brush their teeth!
Some dogs hate having their mouths handled, some are nervous about toothbrushes, and others simply think that the toothbrush is their new favourite chew toy.
As a Registered Veterinary Nurse, I know how important dental care is, but I also know that the best dental routine is one you can actually maintain.
So, if brushing isn’t an option for your dog, what can you do?
Dental disease is incredibly common in dogs. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth, and if it isn’t regularly removed, it can mineralise into tartar.
Over time, plaque and tartar can contribute to inflammation of the gums and periodontal disease. Dental disease isn’t just about smelly breath.
Dogs with painful mouths can show subtle signs such as:
Some dogs can have significant dental disease without showing obvious signs at home, which is why regular veterinary dental checks are so important.
Don’t panic!
Although brushing is considered the gold standard for plaque control, there are other ways you can incorporate dental care into your dog’s routine.
The key is understanding that different products do different jobs!
Some work through chewing and mechanical abrasion, some are designed to help reduce plaque or tartar, and some products can be used alongside other methods as part of an overall dental-care routine.
Dental chews can be a really useful option for dogs who enjoy chewing.
The physical action of chewing can help provide mechanical cleaning of parts of the tooth surface, while some specifically designed dental products have additional properties intended to help with plaque and tartar.
However, not all chews are dental chews. A delicious chew isn’t automatically going to clean your dog’s teeth!
When choosing a dental chew, consider:
✔ The size of the chew
It should be appropriate for your dog’s size and weight.
✔ The texture
A chew needs to provide an appropriate chewing action rather than simply being swallowed.
✔ Your individual dog
Some dogs are enthusiastic gulpers rather than chewers, so supervision is important.
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) specifically recommends choosing the correct size for your dog’s body weight and supervising dogs while they chew dental products.
Natural chews can provide chewing enrichment and may contribute to mechanical abrasion, but I wouldn’t describe every natural chew as a substitute for brushing or a clinically proven dental product. They tend to not have the added salt and sugars that some dental chews have in too!
This is something I think is really important when choosing products for your dog:
“Natural” doesn’t automatically mean “dental”.
Some chews may be useful additions to a dental routine, but they shouldn’t be relied upon to treat established dental disease.
For dogs who aren’t keen on traditional dental chews, dental treats can be another option.
Some specifically formulated dental treats have been tested for their ability to help with plaque and/or tartar. The VOHC maintains an up-to-date list of accepted products, including a number of edible dental chews and treats.
Look for products that have a clear purpose rather than simply choosing something because the packaging says “dental”.
And remember – dental treats still contain calories! If your dog is having one every day, those calories need to be considered as part of their overall daily intake.
If your dog refuses anything involving their mouth, products that can be incorporated into their normal routine may be easier.
Dental powders and other food or water additives are designed to support oral hygiene without requiring you to physically brush the teeth. They can therefore be particularly useful for dogs who really don’t tolerate mouth handling.
However, I would look at these as one part of a dental-care routine, rather than expecting a powder or additive to magically remove existing tartar.
For many dogs, chewing is already something they love. Why not make that natural behaviour work as part of their dental routine?
Providing an appropriate chew can give your dog:
– Something enjoyable to do
– Mechanical chewing activity
– Enrichment
– A positive addition to their daily routine
But chewing should never replace veterinary dental care. If not chewed appropriately extremely hard objects such as bones, antlers or other items have a high risk of damaging teeth. Please always monitor your pet when they are chewing!
A broken tooth can be incredibly painful and may require veterinary treatment.
Dental care isn’t just about getting the teeth looking white. The gums are incredibly important too. Healthy gums should generally be pink and shouldn’t routinely bleed, look very swollen or appear painful.
If you notice:
Please speak to your veterinary practice. These can be signs that your dog needs more than an at-home dental routine.
This is one of the biggest questions I get asked. And the honest answer is:
Not necessarily.
Once plaque has mineralised into tartar, simply giving your dog a chew isn’t going to magically remove significant deposits. Dental products are primarily about prevention and ongoing plaque control.
If your dog already has a significant amount of tartar, red gums or suspected periodontal disease, they should have their mouth assessed by a veterinary professional.
Sometimes the appropriate treatment is a professional dental procedure under anaesthesia, followed by an effective home-care routine.
If your dog won’t tolerate brushing, I would rather see you doing something consistently than giving up completely because brushing isn’t working.
For example:
Morning:
Add your chosen dental product to breakfast.
During the day:
Offer an appropriate chew under supervision.
Evening:
Have a quick look at your dog’s teeth and gums.
Regularly:
Have their mouth checked by a veterinary professional.
And if your dog will tolerate brushing, even better! You can gradually introduce brushing alongside these other measures.
As a Registered Veterinary Nurse, my biggest piece of advice is this:
Don’t wait until your dog’s breath smells bad before thinking about their teeth! Starting early will make all the difference.
Dental disease can develop gradually, and dogs aren’t always brilliant at telling us that their mouths hurt. Starting a dental routine when your dog is young is ideal, but it’s never too late to improve their oral hygiene.
And if brushing simply isn’t happening?
Don’t give up.
Choose appropriate dental products, encourage safe chewing, keep an eye on those gums and teeth, and make regular dental checks part of your dog’s healthcare routine.
I’ve put together a selection of dental products in Peppers Pet Pantry to help you make dental care a simple part of your dog’s everyday routine.
From dental chews to natural options and enrichment, there’s something to suit different dogs and different chewing styles.
Remember: dental care doesn’t have to mean wrestling your dog with a toothbrush!
It just needs to become part of their routine.
I’m a Registered Veterinary Nurse, not a vet, and the information in this blog is intended for general education and preventative care. I have carried out additional training to receive a certificate as an Oral Care Nurse
Every dog is different, and dental disease can range from mild gingivitis to significant periodontal disease. If you’re concerned about your dog’s teeth, gums, breath or ability to eat, please contact your veterinary practice for individual advice.
Good dental care is about prevention, consistency and knowing when your dog needs professional help. Feel free to pop me a message with any questions 🐾
