Do the Additives in Dog Food Remove Plaque?

A healthy smile is as important for your dosg as yours is for you. Periodontal disease is the most common disease affecting dogs, causing them to suffer from halitosis, loose teeth, or painful chewing. When you pick a good diet formulated for oral care with ingredients added to disrupt destructive processes, your dogs are fighting plaque -- and more noticeable to you, bad breath -- every time they eat.

  1. Hard Kibble

    • When your pet eats hard kibble, he potentially removes some plaque and tartar. Chewing kibble provides an abrasive action that helps remove tartar buildup. Some dental diets, such as Hill̵7;s t/d and Royal Canin's Dental Diet, have specially designed kibble to promote the chewing action by binding to your dog̵7;s teeth as he chews. This is created by the design of the kibble, rather than by an additive, but it works as a whole to make the most effective diets. If your dog gulps his food, he is not getting the benefits of chewing kibble, but these diets are larger to facilitate the need to chew.

    Fighting Plaque

    • The plaque layer in your dog̵7;s mouth is similar to the one in your mouth. A bacterial layer begins to form shortly after you brush. By disrupting this layer, you minimize the formation of plaque. The Veterinary Oral Health Council has a list of proven diets and products for pets. Anti-plaque ingredients in these include zinc and triclosan, which work best together to disrupt plaque development. Like these, glucose oxidase is antibacterial, killing bacteria in your dog̵7;s mouth and preventing plaque formation. Dental calculus, the solidified layer that may be forming on your dog̵7;s teeth, is also delayed to keep his teeth whiter longer.

    Fighting Calculus

    • Dental calculus forms as the plaque layer calcifies. Ingredients such as sodium hexametaphosphate, zinc and pyrophosphates present in specially formulated dental diets help prevent calculus formation. When your dog eats a hard kibble made with these ingredients, his saliva activates it, causing calcium to bind with the ingredient versus with the plaque layer. This prevents the plaque layer from becoming calculus. Hard food is important for this, without canned food added, as excess moisture will dilute the effects. VOHC lists approved products, including Science Diet Oral Care and Purina DH, that contain anti-calculus additives, which your veterinarian may recommend.

    Dental Care

    • Your furry best friend needs more than just a dental diet for the healthiest mouth. He needs dental care just like you. Regular brushing with canine toothpaste helps to break up the plaque layer in his mouth, and enzymatic toothpaste can keep working long after you stop brushing. You can incorporate dental chews into your routine for Fido, but they should not be the sole component. VOHC also recommends dental treats. Your veterinarian can help you come up with the most effective plan for your time and budget.