Imagine going to your dentist and being told to forget your toothbrush. Because all you really need for good dental health… is to simply eat a few crunchy tortilla chips every day.
And like magic… your teeth will be sparkling clean.
Sound absurd?
Well… you’re right. It’s utterly ridiculous.
But that’s precisely what most of us have been told about the magical tooth-cleaning power of dry dog food.
Well… now it’s time to set the record straight… and separate the science from the myth.
Why Tooth Debris Is So Difficult to Remove
To begin with, there are three kinds of dental debris…
- Food particles
- Plaque
- Tartar (calculus)
Food particles are easy to remove. Just drinking water can eliminate most of the free-floating fragments from around a dog’s teeth.
But plaque and tartar are different.
Plaque is the sticky biofilm that adheres tightly to every tooth surface. It requires physical scrubbing to remove it.
And once cleaned away… plaque returns again within just 24 hours.
Left along the gumline long enough, plaque slowly and inevitably turns into a rock-hard, barnacle-like crust referred to as calculus… and more commonly called tartar.
Plaque is what you remove with your toothbrush. Tartar is the hard stuff your dentist scrapes away when you get your teeth cleaned.
Causing More Problems Than It Solves
Sure… crunchy kibble can remove some of the plaque near the tops of a dog’s teeth. But it’s completely ineffective within the critical zone near the gumline.
And that’s where plaque and tartar do their ultimate damage… causing cavities and gum disease.
Even industry regulators look the other way when products claim to cleanse or whiten teeth. They spinelessly avoid the issue altogether by simply labeling these unscientific claims as “not objectionable”1.
In plain English…
Dry dog food does not help create healthier teeth and gums
No… that rumor is nothing less than complete nonsense.
In fact, since most kibbles are loaded with a much higher carbohydrate content… dry dog foods may actually increase plaque and tartar levels… and cause more dental problems than they supposedly prevent.
So, when choosing between canned or dry dog food… it’s OK to pick dry kibble. But please don’t choose it because you believe it’s better for your dog’s teeth.
The Only Way to Prevent Dental Disease
The only scientifically proven way to decrease plaque and tartar is the same for dogs as it is for humans… daily brushing combined with routine tartar removal by a health professional.
And I can personally confirm, brushing a dog’s teeth can be one of the most challenging tasks of dog guardianship you can ever undertake.
Penny was the only dog in my last thirty years who actually allowed me to clean her teeth.
Unfortunately, without daily care and regular professional cleanings… canine dental disease is a near certainty.
Just Do It
So, give it a try. Notice how it’s done here in the photo. No toothpaste. Just a nice, baby-soft toothbrush.
OK, it’s not easy. But some gentle stroking right where the teeth meet the gums can go a long way to improving your dog’s dental health.
Remember… you don’t have to brush all your dog’s teeth. Just brush the ones you’d like to keep.
And the next time you visit your vet… why not ask about scheduling a routine dental cleaning, too.
You’ll be adding comfort and years of better health to your dog’s life.
- Official Publication 2008 Edition, Association of American Feed Control Officials, p. 128 ↩
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re absolutely right – dry dog kibble isn’t the answer to cleaner teeth. Brushing dogs teeth is very helpful. You might also consider adding a once-daily probiotic sprinkle to your pets’ food to keep the bacteria in your pets’ mouths for optimal oral care.
Linda… thanks for the good advice. Enjoyed your interesting website.
The tooth-cleaning myth leads many people to feed plain dry kibble to their dog.
In my opinion, dry kibble should be moistened and allowed time to expand before feeding. Otherwise it swells up in the dog’s stomach and can cause bloating. Dogs require a lot of moisture to help digest dry food, and they don’t necessarily drink enough for this purpose.
The flavour and nutrition of kibble can be enhanced by adding low-sodium vegetable juice or low-sodium chicken broth, warmed up in the microwave oven.
Do Greenies chewable treats really help clean dogs teeth and do you recommend them?
Hi Tina… Actually, I’m not familiar with Greenies treats. But for my personal take on this subject, you may want to read my previous article “Dry Dog Food and the Myth of Cleaner Teeth“. Hope you find the info helpful.
Thanks Mike. I really love this website. I’ve recently discovered my 6 month old puppy has food allergies. I’ve been trying to figure out the best food for him and I found this site and it has really helped so much!
Thanks again, Tina
Hi Tina… Oops. Didn’t realize you had already read this article and were commenting on it. Anyway, thanks so much for the nice note.
Feed dogs RAW MEATY BONES and you’ll never ever have to clean it’s teath!
It’s what dogs should be eating – and I hope to find that this website mentions that at some point!!!!
If you don’t mention it then please do some research – i’m sure your follows (and particularty their dogs!!!) will thank you for it!
And FOA TINA – again look into raw meat and bones diets as that will cure your pups allergies…….just do an internet search and you’ll find vet Tom Lonsdales book on the subject and plenty of ‘rawfeeding’ groups that will help you further.
My vet. gave me something in a liquid form to put in my dogs water that helps the teeth. It is called “Breathalyser Plus” from the Vet. Dental Foundation. It helps a lot.
Thank you for such a helpful article. You have put my mind at rest that I can give my puppy wet food, and start cleaning her teeth at an early age!!