Pet dental health: what food, chews and brushing can do

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems vets diagnose in dogs, and food affects it less than most owners hope. A dry diet can slow plaque build-up a little, and some specially designed foods and chews have trial data behind them, but none of them replaces removing plaque from the gum line with a toothbrush. The most useful dental decisions are choosing products that have been independently reviewed, brushing often enough to matter, and getting a mouth examined when the signs of pain appear.

How common dental disease is

UK veterinary records give a grounded picture. In a random sample of more than 22,000 dogs under primary care, 12.5% were diagnosed with periodontal disease within a single year. That counts only cases a vet recorded, so the true proportion with some gum disease is higher. Toy Poodles, King Charles Spaniels, Greyhounds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels had the highest odds, flat-faced breeds and spaniel types were at greater risk, and the odds fell as body weight rose. Small dogs are the ones to watch most closely.

Cats get periodontal disease too, along with conditions that are rarer in dogs. Feline dental guidelines published in 2025 list tooth resorption, early-onset gingivitis and chronic gingivostomatitis among the diseases seen most often in general practice.

From plaque to periodontitis

Periodontal disease starts with plaque, a film of bacteria that builds up at the gum line. If it is not removed, it mineralizes into tartar (calculus), which a toothbrush cannot shift. Bacteria below the gum line release waste products that damage tissue, and the body's own inflammatory response adds to the damage.

The disease has two stages, and the difference matters. In gingivitis the gums are red, swollen and bleed easily, but the ligaments and bone are not yet affected. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, gingivitis can be reversed with proper cleaning. Periodontitis, which usually follows years of plaque and tartar, damages the ligaments and bone that hold the tooth. That damage is permanent and, if untreated, progresses to tooth loss.

Cavities, the main dental worry in people, are uncommon in dogs. Sugar and starch in the diet are therefore less of a dental threat to a dog than to a child. The problem in pets is plaque bacteria at the gum line, and the answer is mechanical removal.

What food can and cannot do

The Merck manual notes that dogs eating a regular diet of hard kibble develop fewer periodontal problems, because chewing has some cleaning effect. The manual does not say how large that effect is. Standard kibble breaks apart quickly and does not reach below the gum line, where the disease does its damage.

Dental diets go further. Their larger pieces have a fibrous structure that stays in contact with the tooth for longer as it is chewed. The practical way to separate tested products from marketing is the seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). The council does not test products itself. It reviews trial data submitted by manufacturers against its standards for plaque or tartar control, and awards its seal to products that meet them. A seal for tartar control is not the same as a seal for plaque control, so the claim on the pack is worth reading.

Wet food is not bad for teeth, and it has real benefits, especially for water intake in cats. A pet fed mainly wet food simply gets no chewing benefit from its meals, which makes brushing more important.

Chews, treats and bones

Dental chews with a VOHC seal are a reasonable addition to brushing. They are not a replacement for it. Their calories count toward the day's food, and a chew should be sized so the dog cannot swallow it whole.

Hard objects are a common cause of broken teeth. The Merck manual lists real bones, hooves, antlers and hard nylon toys among the things dogs fracture teeth on. A fractured tooth may need extraction or a root canal. A common rule of thumb is that a chew should give slightly when pressed with a fingernail.

Raw bones are sometimes promoted as a natural toothbrush. Alongside the risk to teeth, they can cause blockages in the gut, and raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella. Cooked bones splinter and should never be given. Crunchy raw carrot is a better low-calorie treat for many dogs, although there is no good evidence that it cleans teeth.

Nutrients and gum health

A complete and balanced diet supplies the vitamins and minerals gum tissue needs. Supplements such as vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 or zinc are sometimes marketed for gum health in pets, but evidence that they prevent or reverse periodontal disease in dogs or cats is limited. Dogs and cats make their own vitamin C. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are sometimes suggested for inflamed gums, with the same caveat. No nutrient removes plaque.

Signs of dental pain

Dogs and cats hide mouth pain well, so dental disease is often advanced before anyone notices. These signs deserve a vet check:

• bad breath that persists
• red, swollen or bleeding gums
• drooling, sometimes from one side
• dropping food, chewing on one side or refusing hard food
• pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face
• a discolored tooth (pink, purple, gray or brown), a visible fracture or swelling on the face
• eating less or losing interest in chew toys

A home care routine

1. Brush daily if possible. In a trial with 160 racing Greyhounds, both daily and weekly brushing reduced tartar over two months, but only daily brushing reduced gingivitis. Weekly is better than nothing, but daily brushing is what calmed the gums.
2. Use pet toothpaste. Human toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed, and some brands contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. A soft brush or finger brush and a pet toothpaste are enough.
3. Start young and go slowly. Handling the lips and mouth in puppies and kittens, with rewards, makes brushing far easier later. Adults can learn too, starting with a few seconds on the outer surfaces of the back teeth.
4. Add tested products. A VOHC-accepted dental diet or chew adds a little on top of brushing.
5. Have the mouth examined regularly. A full dental cleaning, with scaling below the gum line and dental X-rays, requires general anesthesia. The AAHA dental care guidelines set out that protocol for dogs and cats, and the feline guidelines describe anesthesia as essential for X-rays and treatment in cats. Scraping the visible crowns of an awake animal does not reach below the gum line. How often a cleaning is needed depends on the animal, so the vet will advise after an oral exam.

Sources

1. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2021.
2. 2025 FelineVMA feline oral health and dental care guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2025.
3. Dental disorders of dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
4. Veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC.
5. Weekly and daily tooth brushing by care staff reduces gingivitis and calculus in racing Greyhounds. Animals, 2021.
6. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2019.