Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Learn all about nature of plaque and tartar and how their development can be effectively managed in dogs.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 43 minutes - long read
As a devoted pet owner, you know that the wag of a tail or a joyful bark can brighten your day. But did you know that the health of your pupâs smile is just as crucial as their boundless energy and affection?
A common adversary in your dog's dental health is plaque â a seemingly harmless issue that can escalate into serious health concerns if left unchecked.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the nitty-gritty of canine oral health, focusing on the nature of plaque and tartar and how their development can be effectively managed. From understanding what plaque really is, to combating it head-on, we've got you covered.
Whether you're a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, this article will equip you with practical, easy-to-implement strategies for keeping your dog's teeth sparkling clean and their gums healthy.
Plaque is a soft, sticky, gummy-like substance that forms on the teeth after a meal. Within 24 hours, plaque starts to harden when it mixes with salts present in the saliva. As the plaque continues to build up and mineralise (specifically, calcify), it eventually transforms into tartar.1
Tartar, also called calculus, is a rough, porous, cement-like substance that accumulates above and below the gum line. It is the end result of plaque that has been left to sit on the tooth's surface. Plaque harbours bacteria that induces an immune response and inflicts damage to oral tissue.2
The health risks associated with tartar are significant. Tartar harms the teeth and gums in two ways:
Plaque is a whitish coating on the tooth and can be difficult to see in your dog's mouth with the naked eye. In your own mouth, plaque causes your teeth to feel 'fuzzy' when you haven't brushed your teeth for a while.
Tartar is often not easily visible until it is severe, but usually appears as a beige, yellowish or brown substance along the gum line. It is usually visible first on the outer surfaces of the upper molars and canines.
Signs of gingivitis include a reddish tinge to the gumline, and is also usually visible first on the sides of the back upper molars and canines.
DID YOU KNOW? Bad breath (halitosis) is a common sign of dental disease. Contrary to popular belief, 'doggy breath' is not normal - smelly breath is just as concerning as it is in humans and can indicate tartar buildup and dental disease.
As tempting as it can be to jump straight into treating your dog's dental disease at home without a vet, it's vital to first determine the severity of your dog's dental disease. Home remedies are only good for removal of plaque and prevention of tartar forming, but not for treating established dental disease. Many clinics offer free dental checks with a vet nurse, so checking with a professional shouldn't break the bank!
If your dog has gingivitis, no home treatment or dental chew can fix it; your dog will need a scale and polish at the vet. This involves using dental equipment - the same equipment that human dentists use - to scale off tartar and polish the tooth surface, while under anaesthesia. Your vet will be able to get under the gumline if there is inflammation and really clean out any plaque and bacteria to ensure your pet's teeth are sparkling white and healthy.
Once your vet has confirmed that your dog does not have active dental disease or gingivitis, you can implement at-home remedies for removing plaque on your dog's teeth. These include:
Veterinary dentists recommend brushing your dog's teeth with a toothbrush daily to prevent dental disease, and it makes sense; after all, we brush our own teeth twice daily to prevent plaque and tartar build up. Daily tooth brushing has been shown to reduce plaque by up to 37.4% and an calculus up to 80.2% compared with dogs with non-brushed teeth. 4
It's important to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your dog. A larger dog might require a long-handled doggy toothbrush to reach the back molars, whereas a smaller dog should be fine with a finger brush. Always be sure to use a dog friendly toothpaste, as human ones are not suitable.
How to brush your dog's teeth? It can take a while to get your dog used to having their teeth brushed. It's best to start out slowly with short sessions to get them used to the taste of the toothpaste and sensation of the brushing.
Although it may seem daunting at first, with a little patience and encouragement most dogs can be trained to accept toothbrushing as part of their daily routine.
A demonstration of how to brush dog teeth, with the help of Bruiser the French Bulldog. Check out other helpful tips on Pet Circle's Youtube Channel.
Dental treats can do a lot for your dog's dental health, if your dog uses them correctly.
How do dental chews work? Dental chews work by scraping against the tooth to mechanically remove tartar and plaque. If your dog wolfs down a treat quickly, this scraping action won't be achieved and there will be no dental benefit whatsoever. Some recommended brands of dental treats include Oravet, Greenies, Whimzees, Veggiedent and Prozym.
The longer your dog takes to chew and grind their teeth on a dental chew or treat, the more benefit there is likely to be. For best results, be sure to follow the guidelines on the packet for the correct size and feeding frequency, and be mindful that treats will add to your pet's daily calorie count.
For dogs with a history or increased risk of dental disease, dental diets might be the way to go. Thereapeutic diets such as Hill's Prescription Diet Canine t/d Dental Care and Royal Canin Veterinary Dental Diet are clinically proven to reduce gingivitis by mechanically scrubbing the teeth as your dog chews.
Read more about the different types of Dental Diets for Dogs.
Safe fruits and vegetables for dental care? There are some fruits and veggies that you can give your dog to help clean their teeth - and just like dental chews, the crunchier and more time-consuming, the better. The most popular option is a carrot, as it's crunchy and can help scrape plaque off the tooth as your dog chews.
Does kelp... help? You may have heard that adding a seaweed supplement to your pet's meal can help their teeth to reduce the amount of plaque that can build up on their teeth. Seaweed contains Ascophyllum nodosum; a type of algae that is believed to have anti-adhesive and antibacterial properties that combat the mineralisation of plaque. Somewhat surprisingly, this is actually supported by science - one study from Poland found that supplementing with Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed was found to slow the progression of periodontal disease.3
To help keep your dog's mouth in tip top condition, a dental check up at your vet is recommended every 6 months - or sooner, if you notice any signs such as reddened gums or bad breath.
Many vet clinics offer free dental checks with a qualified vet nurse, which means that a check up shouldn't cost you anything. A dental check will include an initial check inside the pet's mouth looking at their teeth and gums, as well as a discussion about recommended dental care.
How often does my dog require a dental scale & polish? A scale and polish once a year is recommended for dogs by msot veterinary clinics. A scale and polish involves using dental equipment - the same equipment that human dentists use - to scale off tartar and polish the tooth surface, while under anaesthesia. Your vet will be able to get under the gumline if there is inflammation and really clean out any plaque and bacteria. Anaesthesia or heavy sedation is essential to allow thorough cleaning and examination of the teeth, particularly of areas under the gumline.
Pet dentistry should only be performed in a veterinary surgery to ensure all the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned and assessed. Be sure to steer clear of people offering anaesthesia free or 'gentle dentals'.
While they won't reverse dental disease that is already present in your dog's mouth, water additives and plaque control supplements are a simple way to help freshen your dog's breath and can even help to slow the growth of bacteria and formation of plaque. When using water additives your dog's water bowls should be changed daily and with each refill you will need to add more of the solution.
Recommended brands include Aquadent, Prozym Dental Solution, Plaqueoff and Vetnex.
A number of dog breeds are particularly prone to dental disease and require special care. These include:
1. Toy breeds such as Poodles, Malteses, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas. Toy breeds have an increased tendency to develop dental disease due to their small mouths and reluctance to eat crunchy dry food. They also tend to be less eager to chew and grind their teeth on dental chews.
For toy breeds, begin tooth brushing from a young age if possible. Despite being small, their little mouths are usually not malformed like brachycephalic breeds, so it's still possible to brush their teeth at home. A dental scale & polish is also a good idea every 6-12 months, and maintaining on a dental care diet may be ideal.
2. Flat faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and French Bulldogs are highly prone to dental disease due to their malformed face and jaw. Their pushed-in face may be endearing, but it also sets her up for periodontal disease. Malocclusions and crowded teeth are common, which allow for food entrapment and bacteria buildup.
The disfigured shape of brachycephalic mouths and muzzles cause a number of problems:
For brachycephalic breeds, a scale and polish procedure at your vet is essential every 6 months. At home treatments are still recommended in conjunction, including tooth brushing, dental diets, and chews.
Ultimately, your dog's dental health is just as important as your own. With a combination of tooth brushing, dental chews, and regular check ups, your dog's mouth should be clean and healthy. If you are able to stay on top of your pet's dental care for good, you will be setting your dog up for a much healthier, happier and long life.
1. White DJ. Dental calculus: recent insights into occurrence, formation, prevention, removal and oral health effects of supragingival and subgingival deposits. Eur J Oral Sci. 1997 Oct;105(5 Pt 2):508-22.
2. Stepaniuk K. 2019. Periodontology. In: Lobprise H B and Dodd J R, editors. Wiggs's veterinary dentistry principles and practice. New York (NY): Lippincott-Raven; p. 81â108.
3. Gawor J, Jank M, Jodkowska K, Klim E, Svensson UK. 2018. Effects of Edible Treats Containing Ascophyllum nodosum on the Oral Health of Dogs: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Study. Front Vet Sci. 2018; 5: 168. Published online 2018 Jul 27
4. Harvey CE, Serfilippi L, Barnvos D. Effect of frequency of brushing teeth on plaque and calculus accumulation and gingivitis in dogs. J Vet Dent. (2015) 32:16â21.
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
