What breaks down tartar on dogs teeth?

You are likely familiar with tartar, the dark buildup on dog’s teeth that discolors and damages them. It is what onsets many oral health issues for your pup and causes that atrocious dog breath that no one likes. Starting off as plaque, the gummy substance that forms on your canine’s teeth after a meal, tartar progresses to cause periodontal disease, which—in addition to causing pain and severe dental issues in its advanced stages—may also induce kidney and liver problems and changes in the heart muscle.

Table of Contents Show

Plaque and Tartar in Dogs
Teeth Brushing Can Eliminate Plaque in Dogs
Additional Products to Help Eliminate Plaque and Tartar in Dogs
Products that Reduce or Remove Dog Plaque & Tartar
Dental Treats & Chews
Dental Wipes
Pet Toothpaste
Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist in Colorado
How can I prevent plaque and tartar formation on my dog's teeth?
How do I know if the product I’m using to prevent tartar is actually working?

Plaque and Tartar in Dogs

Periodontal disease is already in its early stages by the time your dog turns three years old, and unless preventative measures are taken, it will inevitably advance and worsen. Therefore, early detection is crucial to your canine’s health and vital to his or her wellbeing.

If left untreated, periodontal problems would progress and cause severe oral health issues. Veterinarians have a grading scale to determine the severity of periodontal disease in dogs. The scale ranges from 0 to 4, where 0 means that everything is normal, and 4 indicates major, advanced problems. While plaque in dogs can be seen and quite easily removed above the gumline, plaque and tartar that form below the gumline can be difficult to deal with and can onset infection to the jawbone and to the tissues connecting the teeth to the jawbone. After an initial exam, teeth cleaning, and any necessary X-rays, your vet will determine a proper course of action and give you options to consider depending upon the results.

Teeth Brushing Can Eliminate Plaque in Dogs

After a thorough and professional dog teeth cleaning has been performed it is extremely important that you establish a cleaning routine at home in order to maintain your dog’s good oral health. One of the best and most effective ways to reduce and prevent tartar formation and buildup is regular brushing of your dog’s teeth with a dog toothpaste. It’s very important to use toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Never use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. It has ingredients that can cause problems like an upset stomach if swallowed by your pup. Regular dog teeth brushing can help keep your pet’s mouth healthy but an annual checkup is strongly recommended.

Dogs usually grow accustomed to teeth brushing very quickly. It is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth twice a day, just like you do for yourself, but brushing once daily is still sufficient. The important thing is to be consistent and regular. Dogs get used to the cleaning routine and even grow to enjoy it. Lots of praises and treats help with the process and can make it fun and something your pup will look forward to.

Additional Products to Help Eliminate Plaque and Tartar in Dogs

In addition to brushing, there is a variety of treats and pet products out there that help with tartar prevention in dogs. While there are some amazing products being advertised, keep in mind that not all of them are effective, and discussing options with your vet is always the best approach. A professional will give you good advice about products that will work. You veterinarian will also provide some great recommendations for your dog’s specific needs and circumstances.

Consider the benefits of vegetables like carrots and berries and the great cleaning effect they have on your canine’s teeth. Also, think about water additives that can greatly reduce the count of bacteria in your dog’s mouth. Just remember to make sure that any additive you consider using is approved and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

Tartar is unpleasant to deal with, but it doesn’t have to become a severe problem if you take the necessary steps to get it under control early on. Spare yourself and your dog the pain and suffering that tartar can cause if left untreated by taking the reins and showing it who’s boss. Call Veterinary Dental Services at (978) 929-9200 to help eliminate your dog’s plaque and tartar!

Monday, 26 April 2021 Written by Melissa Guillory, DVM

Oral home care is an integral part of maintaining your pet’s oral health in addition to annual dental cleanings. Dog plaque and tartar (calculus) accumulate on the surface of the teeth and contribute to periodontal disease. Plaque can form within 20 minutes of a professional cleaning. Calculus (tartar) is mineralized plaque and forms in 72 hours in the absence of brushing. Calculus can only be removed through a professional dental cleaning. Daily tooth brushing and the use of different oral home care products can help remove plaque dog teeth and therefore minimize calculus accumulation.

Products that Reduce or Remove Dog Plaque & Tartar

Oral home care products that may remove plaque include dental treats, dental wipes, pet-specific toothpaste, or gels used in tooth brushing. Tooth brushing is considered the gold standard in oral home care. Oral rinses and water additives are generally marketed to remove plaque accumulation, however, they are considered largely ineffective without mechanical removal of plaque through brushing. Clenz-a-dent, a chlorhexidine rinse, is often prescribed to reduce gingivitis and bad breath. The main benefit of water additives is a reduction in bad breath.

Dental Treats & Chews

Dental treats can be a beneficial component of an oral home care regimen. The goal of dental treats is to slow down periodontal disease progression between consistent dental cleanings by your veterinarian or veterinary dentist. But be aware that not all dental chews work in the same manner.

Some dental chews contain natural ingredients that inhibit the formation or adhesion of plaque to the teeth. Other products contain anti-calculus agents that inhibit the mineralization of plaque into calculus, while others have antimicrobial properties that kill harmful microorganisms and bacteria in the mouth.

There are also dental chews that reduce plaque via mechanical action. These chews act by scraping harmful substances off teeth as a pet chews on them. To determine whether a particular dental treat or chew is safe for your pet, you can visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) website. They provide a seal of approval for various products that have undergone testing and demonstrated efficacy as plaque-inhibiting products.

Dental Wipes

Dental wipes are a less effective but viable option for pets that will not tolerate tooth brushing. Dental wipes work by removing some of the biofilm and plaque that adheres to your pet’s teeth. They are not considered as effective as a toothbrush in cleaning the dentition, particularly in the gingival sulcus where the gum meets the tooth.

DentAcetic dental wipes contain a substance called sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). SHMP aids in breaking down calcium, one of the minerals that form calculus. It then mixes with the pet’s saliva to help wash away some of the biofilm. Maxiguard dental wipes contain a neutralized zinc gluconate formulation that decreases the bacteria that form on the tooth surface. Several other pet dental wipes have chlorhexidine gluconate, which like zinc gluconate, decreases the bacterial burden in the mouth.

Pet Toothpaste

Pet-specific toothpaste and gels are important to consider with dental brushing. The vast majority of human toothpaste contain fluoride, which causes GI upset in pets and possibly more serious reactions. Two good options are C.E.T. enzymatic toothpaste and Healthymouth oral gel.

C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste is formulated specifically for dogs and cats. It contains no foaming agents and is safe for pets to swallow. Flavors include poultry, malt, beef, seafood, and vanilla mint. The vanilla mint flavor is hypoallergenic and can be used in pets with food allergies.
HealthyMouth Oral Gel. A 2014 study showed that brushing with HealthyMouth oral gel was more effective than brushing with a placebo gel. HealthyMouth gel comes in 11 flavors to tempt even the most finicky of pets.

Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist in Colorado

Although there is not a specific product that will quickly remove plaque from dentition, daily dental brushing along with dental treats and routine COHAT procedures can keep your pet’s mouth clean and healthy. If you have concerns about your pet’s oral health, call us at Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery to schedule an appointment.

Photo by James Barker on Unsplash(4/26/2021)

Plaque is a gummy substance that forms on the teeth within a few hours after a meal. Within 24 hours, plaque begins to harden by combining with salts that are present in the saliva. As the plaque continues to accumulate and mineralize, it eventually transforms into tartar. Tartar, also called calculus, is rough and porous and can develop above and below the gum line.

"Plaque is a gummy substance that forms on the teeth within a few hours after a meal."

There are two ways that tartar harms the teeth and gums.

First, tartar forms a rough surface serving as a place for bacteria to grow and multiply in the mouth. Bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which often results in painful bleeding. Gingivitis often progresses to periodontal disease, which leads to further inflammation, pain, and tooth loss (see handout "Dental Disease in Dogs" for further information). As tartar builds up along the gum line, it pushes the gums away from the roots of the teeth. As the gums recede, they expose the sensitive, enamel-free part of the tooth which causes sensitivity and pain.

Second, the bacteria on the tartar can be absorbed into the blood stream and deposited in various organs, including the heart and the kidneys, causing infection.

How can I prevent plaque and tartar formation on my dog's teeth?

After your dog's teeth have been professionally cleaned and polished by your veterinarian, home dental care is needed to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. You can decrease plaque accumulation by:

Feeding your dog a Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) accepted dental diet which slows plaque and tartar accumulation by mechanical or chemical means. By limiting plaque as it forms, tartar development is greatly reduced.
Brushing or wiping your dog's teeth daily. This is one of the most effective ways to remove plaque before it turns into tartar. Do not use human toothpaste as it contains ingredients that can cause an upset stomach when swallowed.
Using a VOHC accepted water additive to reduce the bacterial count in the mouth, resulting in improved breath.
Offering your dog chew toys and dental treats that are specifically designed to help reduce or remove mild tartar. Never let dogs chew on bones, horse hoofs, antlers, ice cubes, or nylon toys which may break teeth.
Having your veterinarian perform a dental cleaning under general anesthesia every 6-12 months at the first sign of tartar buildup. Regular dental cleaning is as important in dogs as it is in people, and will go a long way to prevent irreversible damage to the gums and roots.

How do I know if the product I’m using to prevent tartar is actually working?

The Veterinary Oral Health Council only accepts dental products that are safe and proven to reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar based on strict scientific studies. A list of accepted products can be viewed at www.VOHC.org.