Posted by Pet Honesty on

Best Ingredients to Support Dog Dental Health

Table of Contents

We all want our pets to be happy and healthy, and dental health is no exception. Dog dental health isn’t limited to the state of your dog’s breath and teeth. Fido’s oral health can actually affect his overall health; healthy teeth and gums go hand in hand with a healthy immune system. 

Dog dental health isn’t limited to toothbrushes and dental treats. Read on to learn about some of the best ingredients to support dental health in dogs. 


Chew Toys

Okay, chew toys aren’t technically an ingredient… but they’re still worth mentioning. Dogs love to chew as a way to relieve boredom and stress, and chewing on the right toys also helps to scrape plaque from the teeth. Keep some chew toys (such as safe rawhide alternatives) in rotation so your pooch always has something appropriate to chew on and the novelty doesn’t wear off. You don’t want him going after your fancy new shoes!

Raw Bones

As with chew toys, chewing on raw bones alone will help to clean the teeth, but as an added benefit, raw meat enzymes help to manage harmful bacteria. Some dog owners choose to feed their dogs a raw diet, which contributes to clean, healthy teeth. 

Please note that when you give bones to your dog, they must be raw. Cooked bones are a choking hazard as they can easily break and splinter when chewed. They can also cause intestinal damage if pieces are swallowed.


Antioxidants

Antioxidants play a big part in your dog’s dental health, as oxidative stress can lead to periodontal issues. Antioxidants also help support a healthy inflammatory response, which can help to protect your pup’s gums. 

Antioxidants can be taken in the form of supplements, rather than applied topically. Talk to your vet about proper supplements—two of the most effective being Vitamin E and Vitamin C— and the appropriate dosage for your dog. 

You can also feed your pooch some dog-friendly foods rich in antioxidants: blueberries; blackberries; raspberries; strawberries; cooked yellow squash; carrots; sweet potatoes; broccoli; spinach; kale; and green beans. 


Fatty Acids 

Fatty acids can help with both joint and periodontal issues, plus they have added heart, kidney, and brain health benefits. Fish oil supplements are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin A, both of which support healthy gums. 

1-Tetradecanol complex (1-TDC) is a fatty acid that helps with gingival tissue swelling and may help slow the progression of currently existing periodontal problems. It can be applied directly to the gums, or taken in capsule form. 

Coconut oil has lots of medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) which make it antimicrobial and it can help support healthy inflammatory responses. In other words, it helps to clean the teeth and gums when applied orally. Coconut oil can be spread directly onto the gums using your fingers or applied to the teeth with a canine toothbrush. You can even add some therapeutic vet-approved essential oils for added benefits.



Probiotics

Probiotics are known for boosting gut and immune health, but they also have dental health benefits. Rub gel, liquid, or powder probiotics (one option is to empty out capsules) directly onto your dog’s gums daily to replace the bad bacteria with good bacteria. Or make sure your dog is ingesting them on a regular basis


Biodent

Biodent is a product that is available through your vet. It contains a combination of ground bone and minerals—calcium, phosphorus, and manganese—to support bones (such as teeth and jawbone), connective tissues, and the immune system. 


Pet Honesty Products

Pet Honesty’s dental products include: 

Oral Hygiene Dental Water
This dental water is an odorless, tasteless solution made from natural ingredients including zinc, Vitamin C, Chlorophyllin, sage, and cinnamon. Oral Hygiene Dental Water helps to support your dog’s gum tissue and overall dental health while promoting fresh breath. 

Oral Hygiene Fresh Sticks
These doggie dental health treats include ingredients such as spirulina, peppermint oil, bromelain, inulin, and green tea extract. These chewable sticks are perfect for keeping your pooch’s teeth and gums healthy and his breath smelling fresh. 

Variations of the Oral Hygiene Fresh Sticks include Hemp Calming Fresh Sticks and Allergy Support Fresh Sticks, both of which are also perfect for chewing. 


Signs of Dental Issues in Dogs

Monitor your dog regularly for signs of dental issues, including:

  • Bad breath
  • White, red, blue, or swollen gums
  • Reluctance to eat 
  • Chewing on one side of the mouth 
  • Discolored, missing, loose, or broken teeth 
  • Blood left behind on bones or chew toys

Keep in mind that no ingredient, no matter how effective, can replace a proper dental routine. Clean your dog’s teeth regularly to remove plaque before it turns into tartar, which hardens onto the teeth and can lead to more serious dental issues.

Your dog’s diet also contributes to his dental health. Talk to your vet about the healthiest diet options for your dog, too. Some dog owners prefer kibble since dry food can help to clean the teeth, while others prefer hydrating wet food. Others prefer a combination of the two, and others still prefer a raw diet. What’s right for one dog may not be right for yours, so do plenty of research before making any changes to your dog’s diet. 


Sources: 
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/top-5-foods-for-your-dogs-teeth/
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/tips-better-dental-health-dogs
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/nutrients-canine-dental-disease/
https://vetericyn.com/blog/importance-of-antioxidants-for-dogs/