Dental preventatives

Dental disease is about so much more than bad breath.

This before-and-after highlights how serious dental disease can become when it’s left untreated. By the time the signs are easy to see, significant damage may already have occurred.

The good news is that small steps at home can make a real difference. Regular dental care can help slow plaque and tartar build-up while supporting healthier teeth and gums.

Alongside routine veterinary dental examinations, there are several dental preventatives you can add to your pet’s routine. From dental chews and biscuits to water additives and supplements, each option works differently and comes with its own benefits and limitations.

No single dental product can replace good dental hygiene. The best approach combines regular home care, suitable dental products and professional veterinary assessment when needed.

Preventing dental disease is much easier than treating advanced dental problems.

Not sure where to begin with your pet’s dental care? Vet Nourish can help you find practical, appropriate options to support your pet’s oral health.

Teeth brushing

What is it?
Brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most effective ways to mechanically remove plaque and support good oral health.

How does it work?
The toothbrush physically disrupts plaque on the tooth surface before it can accumulate and contribute to dental disease.

What do you need?

A soft-bristled toothbrush or small baby toothbrush
Pet-safe toothpaste — never use human toothpaste
Patience and gradual introduction

Tips for success
Start slowly and allow your pet to become comfortable with having their mouth handled. Focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth, particularly along the gumline, and aim for regular brushing rather than trying to do everything at once.

Limitations

Not every pet will tolerate daily teeth brushing. Just like not every owner will have to time to commit to daily teeth brushing.

Vet Nourish tip:
Daily brushing is ideal, but consistency is more important than perfection. Even brushing several times a week can be a useful part of your pet’s dental care routine though daily is usually the recommended frequency.

Dental biscuit

What is it?
Dental biscuits are specially formulated to provide some mechanical cleaning as your pet chews.

How does it work?

Their shape and texture may help contact the tooth surface and disrupt plaque during chewing.

For example, Hills prescription diet t/d:

Clinically proven triple action fiber matrix technology
Unique kibble size, shape and texture helps clean right to the gum line
Complete & balanced nutrition with clinically proven antioxidants
Accepted for the reduction of buildup of both plaque & tartar by Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)*

Potential benefits

Easy to incorporate into a daily routine
Can provide some mechanical cleaning
May be a convenient alternative to other dental treats

Things to consider

Effectiveness varies between products
They still contribute calories to the daily diet
Some pets may simply swallow biscuits without much chewing
Some pets may be sensitive to the protein in the dental biscuits

Vet Nourish tip:
Dental biscuits are best viewed as an addition to an overall dental care routine, rather than a replacement for teeth brushing. However if an owner does struggle with teeth brushing daily, this would be a conveniant alternative.

Dental chews

What is it?
Dental chews are specially designed treats that encourage chewing and may help mechanically remove or disrupt plaque from the tooth surface.

How does it work?
The chewing action creates friction against the teeth, helping to reduce plaque accumulation.

For example, Veggiedent:

Unique Z-shape allows the chew to reach front to back and everywhere in between
Contains a prebiotic known to support proper digestion and help maintain intestinal well‑being
Plant-based, no animal-derived ingredients, gluten-free and easily digestible

Potential benefits

Provides mechanical cleaning through chewing
Can be an easy addition to a daily routine
Some products are specifically formulated and tested for dental health

Things to consider

Not all dental chews are equally effective
Consider calories, ingredients and appropriate sizing
Always supervise your pet while chewing

Vet Nourish tip:
Look for dental products with evidence supporting their dental claims, rather than choosing a product based on its appearance or marketing alone. As a general guide, choose a dental chew that encourages your dog to chew rather than swallow it whole. Ideally, your dog should spend several minutes actively chewing the product rather than finishing it within a few bites.

A 10-minute chew time can be a useful practical benchmark, but the texture, shape, size and design of the chew are also important factors.

Water additives

What is it?
Dental water additives are products added to your pet’s drinking water and are designed to help support oral hygiene between brushing sessions.

How does it work?
Depending on the product, ingredients may help reduce plaque, tartar accumulation or the bacteria associated with oral odour.

For example, Aquadent:

A palatable water additive that helps control plaque to decrease bad breath in dogs and cats.

AQUADENT FR3SH utilizes an innovate blend of 3 natural ingredients to uniquely fight the sources of bad breath:

Inulin – a natural prebiotic to address the digestive causes of bad breath.
Pomegranate – an antioxidant to promote gum health.
Erythritol – to freshen the mouth

Another example would be Oxyfresh:

Eliminates bad breath - The patented blend of Oxygene® and zinc helps clean teeth and eliminate bad breath

Potential benefits

Easy to incorporate into a daily routine
Tasteless and odourless
Non-Toxic
Convenient
No brushing or chewing required
Can be useful for pets that do not tolerate tooth brushing

Things to consider

Effectiveness depends on the individual product and its ingredients
Some pets may be reluctant to drink water depending on the additive
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dose and instructions

Vet Nourish tip:
Water additives can be a convenient addition to dental care, but they should complement rather than replace mechanical plaque removal where possible.

Seaweed based Supplement

What is it?
Certain seaweed-based supplements are marketed for dental health and are typically added to food as part of a daily routine. Simply Seaweed is a dental supplement for dogs and cats. It is 100% Ascophyllum nodosum, a species of seaweed.

How does it work?

After being consumed by your pet, Ascophyllum nodosum works in several ways to improve dental hygiene, due to its natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive properties. Existing plaque is softened and new plaque is prevented from sticking to teeth.

Potential benefits

Easy to add to food
May help support oral hygiene and breath freshness
Useful as an additional preventative measure

Things to consider

Evidence varies between seaweed products
Nutrient content can vary, including iodine
Do not give to animals with thyroid issues unless under veterinary supervision.
Do not give to animals that are allergic or intolerant to seaweed, kelp, fish, shellfish or seafood.
Not recommended for pregnant or nursing animals.
Not recommended for animals under six months of age.
Not recommended for use in conjunction with other seaweed or kelp supplements.

Vet Nourish tip:
Seaweed supplements (Simply seaweed) can be considered as an adjunct to dental care, but they should not be relied upon as the sole method of plaque control.

Putting It All Together

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dental care. Tooth brushing provides the most direct mechanical removal of plaque, while dental chews, biscuits, water additives and supplements can be useful additions depending on your pet’s individual needs and preferences.

If significant plaque, tartar or dental disease has already developed, professional dental treatment under general anaesthesia may be required to thoroughly assess and clean the teeth. Home dental care is then important for helping maintain the results and slow further plaque accumulation.

The most important thing is to establish a consistent dental care routine and have your pet’s oral health regularly assessed by your veterinarian.