Quick Summary
Dental treats can help clean your dog’s teeth and reduce tartar buildup, but they are not a complete replacement for brushing. Brushing cleans the entire tooth surface and gums, while treats only clean some areas. For best dental health, use treats as a supplement to brushing, not an alternative. Treats are easier but less effective. Brushing takes more effort but cleans more thoroughly.
Benefits of Dental Treats
Dental treats offer some oral health benefits for dogs:
- Help clean plaque and tartar off teeth
- Reduce bad breath
- Require little effort from owner
- Dogs enjoy chewing treats
- Some treats contain antimicrobial ingredients
- Available in wide variety of flavors and textures
The abrasive texture of treats helps scrub away plaque and tartar as the dog chews. This can reduce staining, bad breath, and accumulation of plaque bacteria.
Dental treats are very easy to provide – just give the treat as a snack or reward. Dogs enjoy chewing the treats, making it a more positive experience than brushing.
Some treats contain antimicrobial ingredients like chlorhexidine to help kill bacteria in the mouth. Others include enzymes to help break down plaque. These features provide additional oral health benefits.
With the variety of dental treats available, you can find textures and flavors your dog loves. This makes treats more appealing than brushing with doggie toothpaste.
Limitations of Dental Treats
While beneficial, dental treats have some important limitations:
- Only clean outer surfaces of teeth
- Don’t fully clean entire mouth
- Can’t reach between teeth well
- Don’t clean under the gumline
- Don’t remove all plaque and tartar
- Dogs may not chew treat long enough
- Only impact teeth, not gums
Treats only clean the surfaces of teeth that directly contact the chew. This leaves plaque behind between teeth, under the gumline, and on inner tooth surfaces. Soft treats impact even less surface area.
The treats don’t clean the gums, tongue, palate or inner cheeks – only the teeth. And depending on chewing time, they may not fully clean all tooth surfaces.
For these reasons, dental treats can’t thoroughly clean the entire mouth like brushing can. They help reduce plaque and tartar but don’t fully remove it.
Benefits of Brushing Teeth
While more difficult, brushing provides full dental cleaning:
- Cleans all tooth surfaces
- Reaches between teeth
- Cleans under gumline
- Freshens breath
- Removes plaque and tartar
- Cleans tongue, gums, palate
- Allows use of toothpaste
- Provides exercise for gums
The bristles and toothpaste clean the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of all teeth. Toothpaste contains abrasives and antimicrobial ingredients to thoroughly clean each tooth.
Brushing cleans down to the gumline and under it, helping prevent periodontal disease. The toothpaste freshens breath by cleaning the entire mouth.
The brushing motion massages the gums, providing healthy stimulation. Toothpastes often contain enzymes to break down plaque and ingredients to freshen breath.
Key Differences
| Dental Treats | Brushing Teeth |
|---|---|
| Only clean outer surface of some teeth | Clean entire surface of all teeth |
| Don’t clean between teeth well | Brush between teeth |
| Don’t reach under gumline | Clean under gumline |
| Clean some plaque and tartar | Remove more plaque and tartar |
| Easy for owner | More effort for owner |
| Enjoyable for dog | Less enjoyable for dog |
| Don’t require toothpaste | Use toothpaste with enzymes, antibacterials |
| Don’t clean tongue, gums, cheeks | Clean entire mouth |
Conclusion
Dental treats provide some oral health benefits for dogs and are easier than brushing. However, brushing cleans more thoroughly and effectively.
For best results:
- Brush your dog’s teeth 2-3 times per week if possible
- Supplement with dental treats for extra cleaning
- Use treats without brushing for some benefits
- Ask your veterinarian about dental health products for your dog
With regular brushing and dental treats, you can help improve your dog’s dental health and reduce the risks of periodontal disease. But for full mouth cleaning, brushing remains essential.
When to Choose Treats vs Brushing
Here are some guidelines on when to use treats or brushing:
Choose Dental Treats If:
- Your dog refuses to allow brushing
- You don’t have time to brush frequently
- Looking for dental care with little effort
- Want to supplement brushing
- Trying to reduce bad breath
Treats require almost no effort other than giving to your dog. They can help clean some plaque and tartar even if brushing isn’t possible.
Choose Brushing If:
- You want to fully clean your dog’s mouth
- Your dog has significant tartar buildup
- Vet recommends daily brushing
- Your dog has gum disease
- Brushing is already part of your routine
Brushing provides complete dental care, removing plaque and tartar everywhere in the mouth. It’s essential for dogs with existing dental disease.
Brushing Technique
Here are some tips for effective brushing:
- Use a soft-bristled brush designed for pets
- Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline
- Gently brush outer surfaces of all teeth
- Go slowly and give your dog praise and rewards
- Gradually increase brushing time over multiple sessions
- Aim to brush for 2-3 minutes once your dog is accustomed to it
- Try different toothpastes to find flavors your dog likes
- Make it a positive experience with brushing followed by playtime or treats
Gradually build up the brushing routine to allow your dog to get used to it. Proper technique cleans teeth thoroughly while ensuring a positive experience for your pet.
Choosing Dental Treats
Consider the following when choosing dental treats for your dog:
- Ingredients: Look for enzymatic or antimicrobial ingredients
- Texture: Hard, crunchy treats clean better than soft
- Size: Appropriate for your dog’s size
- Flavor: Pick flavors your dog loves
- Duration: Long-lasting treats provide more cleaning time
- Veterinary Approval: Ask your vet which treats they recommend
- Clean Certificate: The VOHC seal indicates proven plaque/tartar reduction
The Veterinary Oral Health Council awards a seal to treats clinically shown to reduce plaque and tartar. Look for this certification when choosing dental treats.
Risks of Poor Dental Health
Insufficient dental care can lead to:
- Plaque and tartar buildup
- Tooth decay
- Gum infection or periodontal disease
- Tooth loss
- Bacteria entering the bloodstream
- Damage to internal organs like the heart, kidneys, or liver
Bacteria from plaque can spread infection through the mouth and into the body. This emphasizes the importance of thorough dental care through brushing, treats, and veterinary cleanings.
Professional Cleanings
While home care is important, dogs need periodic professional cleanings:
- Deep clean below gumline not possible at home
- Remove heavy tartar and plaque buildup
- Smooth and polish teeth
- Take dental x-rays if needed
- Extract badly damaged teeth if necessary
- Treat any dental disease present
Veterinary cleanings allow thorough care not possible with brushing and treats alone. Home care maintains dental health between professional cleanings.
Most dogs need professional cleanings every 6-12 months, more often if dental disease is present. Ask your vet about the right frequency for your dog.
The Ideal Dental Care Plan
For complete canine dental care:
- Brush your dog’s teeth at least 2-3 times per week
- Provide veterinarian-approved dental treats 1-2 times daily
- Schedule regular veterinary cleanings and exams
- Follow your vet’s recommendations for additional products or medications
- Observe your dog’s oral health and adjust care as needed
With brushing, treats, cleanings, and veterinary advice, you can help keep your dog’s teeth clean, healthy, and free of disease. Consistent home care plus professional veterinary services offer the gold standard for canine dental care.