80% of dogs show signs of periodontal disease by the time they’re 3 years old.
Just like us, taking care of your pup’s oral health is crucial — not just for their teeth, but for their overall wellbeing.
From sore gums and loose teeth to infections and an imbalanced microbiome, the health of your dog’s mouth can impact their quality of life.
Healthy and clean teeth mean no pain, fresher breath, and a happier, more energetic pup — and the best way to get there is with a preventative dental routine and a real food diet.
What causes periodontal disease in dogs?
After eating, plaque starts to form on the teeth, which if not cleaned away regularly, builds up and hardens into calculus (tartar), which is difficult to remove.
Calculus can lead to gingivitis (infected and inflamed gums) – the earliest stage of periodontal disease. If gingivitis isn’t addressed, it can develop into periodontitis and may lead to irreversible damage requiring a costly procedure from your vet or a veterinary dental surgeon.
Dental disease can also impact the balance of bacteria in your dog’s mouth. As the doorway to the body, an imbalanced mouth microbiome can affect the gut microbiome, which plays a significant role in your dog’s immune system.
When it comes to your dog’s dental hygiene, prevention is always preferable to a cure. Dental cleaning procedures at the vet involve putting your dog under general anaesthetic and there are risks associated with any surgery.
A professional oral examination is the only way to detect evidence of early disease, so get a dental check from your vet every 6-12 months – even if your pup’s teeth seem healthy.
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🐶 Read more: Gum disease in dogs: how to spot, treat, and prevent it (with pictures)→
How to clean your dog’s teeth
There are lots of products on the market to support your dog’s dental hygiene. Not all products offer the same benefits and it’s not a case of one size fits all.
If your dog isn’t used to dental care as part of their grooming routine, it may take a bit of trial-and-error to find the combination that best suits them.
If your dog does need a procedure at the vet, don’t be hard on yourself. Even with the best efforts, it’s common for pups to still need a professional dental clean from time to time.
Brushing
Yes, dogs need to have their teeth brushed — just like humans!
Use a toothpaste like Shy Tiger containing natural ingredients to reduce plaque and stains. It also has antibacterial properties to fight harmful bacteria that can cause gingivitis.
When it comes to choosing the right brush there are two main options: a human-style toothbrush with a long handle and soft bristles, or a finger brush that pops onto your index finger like a thimble.
Always introduce new routines, like tooth-brushing, slowly and with a lot of patience and positive reinforcement.
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🐶 Read more: A guide to brushing your dog's teeth→
Dental chews
Dental chews are a popular choice because they’re convenient to buy from the pet store or supermarket. But do they work?
In theory, the firm and irregular texture is designed to rub against a dog’s teeth to remove tartar. However, they’re often high in carbohydrates (sugar) which can contribute to tartar build-up, leading to plaque. As a daily dental measure, they should also be calculated as part of their caloric intake, to prevent weight gain.
Long-lasting chews like Lyka’s Pig Twigs are air-dried, single protein treats designed to be effective as dental aids. They’re made without any other ingredients, including carbohydrates.
Dental supplements
Kelp (ascophyllum nodosum) is a natural dental supplement. It’s naturally rich in iodine, which has antimicrobial properties to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that contributes to tartar. Kelp also contains calcium and phosphorus: these nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining strong enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay.
Lyka’s Dental Supplement contains kelp for all its benefits, as well as selected probiotics to support the balance of good bacteria and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to decay and bad breath.
Water additives
You can purchase additives for your dog’s water that are designed to act like mouthwash to reduce plaque and fight smelly breath.
Long-term use of mouthwashes isn’t fully understood and there needs to be more research done on the impact on dog health. Speak to your vet before using this type of additive.
They can contain synthetic ingredients, like zinc chloride, which is corrosive to mucous membranes, eyes and skin. Another common ingredient is an antiseptic (cetylphridinimum chloride) that may not discriminate between good and bad bacteria, affecting the oral microbiome balance.
Do bones clean dogs’ teeth?
Bones are a controversial topic that some dog parents and vets feel strongly about, both for and against.
Raw meaty bones, fresh from your butcher, are full of calcium and healthy bone marrow, and can be great dental aids.
Before feeding your dog a raw bone, know the potential risks:
Never feed your dog a cooked bone, as they splinter into sharp fragments that can cause internal damage and are not digestible. Smoked bones come with the same risks and often contain artificial preservatives.
Avoid weight-bearing bones as they’re too hard and can cause fractures to teeth and jaw bones.
Bones are a choking hazard. Always supervise your dog when they’ve got a bone, just in case they bite off more than they can chew. Choose a bone that is suitable for the size of your dog too: bigger dogs will need bigger bones to chew on.
Discuss feeding bones with your veterinarian first. Not all dogs can stomach raw meat and there’s an increased pathogen risk, especially for immunocompromised dogs. Other pups may find bones too hard to gnaw.
If you want to give raw bones to your dog, consider chicken necks, frames, wings, and feet, or ribs and tails (pork, lamb, or goat).
Antlers, hooves, and horns
These extremely hard products may be natural, but they’re notorious for breaking teeth.
Consider softer, long-lasting, single-protein chews instead.
🐶 Read more: Top tips for feeding treats — which to choose and which to avoid→
Dental care for senior dogs
As dogs get older, they can become more susceptible to dental disease and the effects of general wear and tear over time. More reason to engage in dental care routines to help your dog maintain good oral health into old age.
If you’re concerned about your golden oldie’s teeth or gums, make an appointment with your vet for a dental health check.
Real food and regular cleaning for optimum oral health
Complete and balanced fresh food, in combination with regular brushing and chewing aids, are the best way to keep your pup’s teeth healthy.
Processed food, like kibble, is usually high in carbohydrates which form a sticky film on your dog’s teeth that leads to plaque.
It’s a common belief that because kibble is hard it’s good for oral health. But saying that dry food cleans dogs’ teeth is like saying crackers clean our teeth!
The only dry food varieties that may help your dog’s dental hygiene are prescription-based, containing specialised fibres. Whilst these products may help with teeth, they’re not the healthiest food choice for dogs due to their highly processed nature.
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Lyka meals are low in carbohydrates and contain kelp powder to minimise plaque build-up and freshen your pup’s breath. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus makes it safe to feed a bone or two every week.
96% of dogs see health improvements on Lyka. Combine our healthcare strategies with a gently cooked, real food diet and see the difference for yourself.
