• Taking care of your dog’s teeth and gums is important for their health and can also keep their breath fresh.
  • A wide variety of dog dental products are available, including pet toothbrushes and toothpaste, no-brush dental gels, water additives, and dental chews.
  • The best dental products contain effective ingredients and are easy to use and affordable.
  • This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Karie Johnson, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the south suburbs of Chicago.

I’ve long understood the importance of brushing my dog’s teeth. Years ago, I worked as a veterinary assistant, where I saw firsthand what happens when a pet’s teeth are not taken care of. Sadly, it’s all too common to see teeth extracted during routine dental cleanings due to years of neglect.

“Proper dental care is a vital component of your pet’s overall health and well-being,” said Dr. Ashlee Redmond, DVM, of Banfield Pet Hospital. “Bad breath isn’t just an unpleasant smell – it could be a warning sign of more serious dental disease.”

Veterinarians recommend professional dental cleanings at least once a year. These are performed just like human dental cleanings, but dogs must be anesthetized so the veterinarian can clean under the gum line where plaque and tartar hide. Dog dental products can help prevent the formation of plaque and tartar in between dental cleanings.

“When choosing an at-home dental product, you should look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of acceptance on the product’s package or website,” Redmond said. “The VOHC provides third-party assessment for dental products. A seal of acceptance means the product meets preset criteria for effectiveness in controlling plaque and tartar deposition in dogs and cats.” The VOHC is an entity of the American Veterinary Dental College.

If a product is not VOHC accepted, it either means its manufacturer has not conducted clinical trials that show efficacy, or the manufacturer simply has not sought acceptance through the VOHC. In this guide, VOHC-accepted products were rated higher because the seal of acceptance demonstrates that the product’s claims are backed up by science.

Redmond also pointed out that home dental care products do not replace daily brushing or professional dental cleanings, but they can be supportive of overall dental health.

For this guide to the best dog dental products, I tested 17 different dental products with my dog. Products were provided as editorial review samples by their manufacturers, and I tested each one with my dog five or more times during a three-month period. All the products we tested got the okay from Redmond to rule out anything that could be potentially unsafe.

Here are the best dog dental products you can buy:

Prices and links are current as of 8/18/20. We selected new picks based on research and testing. We also added a slide with tips for brushing your dog's teeth.

The best toothpaste

Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste is clinically proven to remove plaque and stains, eliminate bad breath, and prevent tartar buildup, and is the only dog toothpaste that's VOHC accepted.

The best thing you can do at home for your dog's oral health is brushing their teeth daily with a pet-safe toothpaste (never use human toothpaste for your dog-this can make them sick).

"Pets that begin having their teeth brushed when they are young can learn to tolerate this activity sometimes better than older pets," Redmond said. "However, pets of all ages can learn to accept having their teeth brushed."

Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste is designed to work whether you use it with a toothbrush or just apply it to the teeth and sides of mouth with a swab or your finger, so it's kind of like a toothpaste/dental gel hybrid. However, we recommend brushing with it to get the benefits of toothbrushing.

Petsmile's proprietary formula called Calprox, an encapsulated form of calcium peroxide and minerals, is clinically proven to remove plaque, stains, and bad breath, and prevent tartar buildup. Petsmile is currently the only VOHC-accepted pet toothpaste, which ultimately boosted this toothpaste to the winner's circle.

The toothpaste comes in three dog-centric flavors: London Broil, Savory Duck, and Rotisserie Chicken. I tested the London Broil flavor. Meat-flavored toothpaste is not my favorite scent in the world, but my dog loved this toothpaste, which is the most important thing.

Pros: Shown in clinical trials to remove plaque and stains, eliminate bad breath, and prevent tartar buildup; human-grade ingredients, brushing not required

Cons: Expensive

The best toothbrush

Foto: Source: Business Insider/Jackie Brown

Bodhi Dog Doggie Toothbrushes include six long-handled toothbrushes with dual brush heads to work for any size dog as well as six fingertip brushes, making this product a great value.

When choosing a toothbrush for your dog, you have the option of two basic styles: long-handled, which has nylon bristles similar to your own toothbrush, or fingertip, which fits over your finger and has soft, plastic nubs on the end. You can also use an ADA compliant soft bristle flat head toothbrushes. However, fingertip toothbrush is a good option for puppies or adult dogs that are new to teeth brushing, as it can be a little less scary for the dog. I personally prefer to use a long-handled toothbrush, which allows me to reach all the teeth in the back of the mouth.

Bodhi Dog Doggie Toothbrushes set offers both brush styles, and with six long-handled toothbrushes and six fingertip toothbrushes for under $10, it's a fantastic value. Having extra toothbrushes is great if you have multiple pets, and it also means you can easily replace the brush when it gets yucky. As with human toothbrushes, pet toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months - and always rinse the brush after each use.

The long-handled brushes feature very soft, gentle bristles, with a larger bristle head on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so they work for dogs of all sizes (and cats, too). The fingertip brushes are soft and flexible, for gentle cleaning. I found both types of brushes gentle, effective, and easy to use.

Pros: Comes with 12 toothbrushes in 2 styles, long handles to reach the back of the mouth, extra soft bristles, best value

Cons: No grip on the plastic handle

The best dental gel

Foto: Source: Business Insider/Jackie Brown

Using all natural ingredients, Tropiclean Clean Brushing Gel clings to the teeth to break down plaque and tartar and fight bad breath.

Dental gels are similar to pet toothpastes, but gels are designed to have prolonged contact with the teeth to deliver ingredients that help fight bacteria, plaque, and tartar. It's important to note that none of the dental gels tested for this guide are VOHC accepted. (Two dental gels are currently VOHC accepted, and we look forward to testing them in the future.)

"Zinc ascorbate, gluconate, oxide, and chloride are often incorporated in dental gels and water additives as antibacterial agents to help decrease plaque formation and bad breath," Redmond said. "After delivery into the oral cavity, the zinc remains in the mouth and helps with decreasing bacteria amounts."

Tropiclean Brushing Gel is designed to be used with a toothbrush, so it can be used instead of toothpaste. The gel formula clings to the teeth and gums, delivering plaque and tartar fighting zinc chloride (.01g/10ml) and green tea leaf extract, and breath-freshening spearmint.

The gel smells very minty and my dog seemed to enjoy the flavor. The directions instruct you to withhold food and water 30 minutes before and after using it to allow for maximum effect, which requires some good planning on your part. This gel beat out the others thanks to its multiple antiplaque ingredients and the addition of spearmint, which left my dog's breath minty fresh.

Pros: All natural ingredients like zinc chloride and green tea leaf extract, clings to the teeth to break down plaque and tartar, spearmint added for fresh breath

Cons: For best results, must withhold food and water for 30 minutes before and after using gel; not VOHC accepted

The best dental water additive

Foto: Source: Business Insider/Jackie Brown

Using proprietary Oxygene and zinc acetate, Oxyfresh Water Additive eliminates bacteria that causes bad pet breath, removes plaque buildup, and protects gums.

Water additives typically contain similar ingredients as dental gels, but instead of being applied to the teeth, they are added to your dog's water. It truly doesn't get easier to care for your dog's teeth then to pour a capful of water additive into their bowl every day.

As with the dental gels, none of the water additives tested for this guide are VOHC accepted. (Only one company, HealthyMouth, makes water additives that are currently VOHC accepted, and we look forward to testing some of them in the future.)

Oxyfresh Water Additive uses a patented blend of Oxygene and zinc acetate to eliminate bacteria that causes bad pet breath, remove plaque buildup, and protect gums. Although all the water additives tested contained forms of antibacterial zinc, Oxyfresh beat out the others because it also contains a second bacteria-eliminating ingredient, Oxygene.

Like all the water additives I tested, Oxyfresh is tasteless and odorless, so pets don't know it's even in their water bowl. In addition to giving the water additives to my dog, I also sampled them myself to confirm they were indeed tasteless.

Pros: Odorless and tasteless, dye-free, brushing not required

Cons: Not VOHC accepted

The best dental chew

Foto: Source: Business Insider/Jackie Brown

Greenies Fresh Dental Dog Treats clean your dog's teeth as they chew and temporarily freshen their breath, too.

Dental chews are designed to mechanically clean the teeth as the dog chews. "Although less effective than regular brushing at home and certainly not as thorough as a professional cleaning by a veterinarian, dental chews can help keep your dog's teeth clean - if your dog actually chews them," Redmond said.

Observe your dog to make sure they're slowly chewing on a dental treat rather than gulping down large chunks or even swallowing the entire chew, which could potentially cause a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.

I tested three different dental chews. All were similar in that they have a firm, chewy texture and shape designed to clean teeth and gums as the dog chews, but each contained different ingredients and had a different shape. Although my dog loved all three dental chews he tried, Greenies Fresh Dental Dog Treats stood out as the best in the group.

Greenies are dark green chews shaped like little toothbrushes. VOHC-accepted Greenies contain spearmint to help freshen breath. I detected a distinct minty odor as my dog was chewing, this effect wasn't particularly long-lasting. Although Greenies are intended to be used just once daily as treats, they are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for adult dog maintenance. This is rare in treats, so it gives Greenies another edge over the competition.

Although my dog has a strong stomach, Greenies can cause gastrointestinal upset in some pets or turn stools green.

Pros: VOHC accepted for plaque and tartar, contains natural spearmint to help freshen breath, nutritionally complete and balanced.

Cons: The first ingredient in Greenies is wheat flour, so Greenies would not be a good choice for dogs with gluten intolerance. For dogs that cannot eat wheat, ProDen PlaqueOff System Dental Care Bones Vegetable Fusion Flavor (VOHC accepted for plaque and tartar) is a good alternative.

Our testing methodology

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For this guide to the best dog dental products, I tested 17 different dental products with my dog. All the products I tested got the okay from Dr. Redmond to rule out anything that could be potentially unsafe.

Since I am not a veterinary dentist nor a research scientist, I cannot make any claims regarding the efficacy of the products. Instead, I evaluated each product and rated them based on whether the product is accepted by the VOHC, product performance compared to manufacturer claims, the price of the product, and whether my dog seemed to enjoy the product. I used each product with my dog five or more times during a three-month period.

What else we considered

Foto: Source: Business Insider/Jackie Brown

Toothpastes and gels

Toothbrushes

  • Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush ($16): This is a dual-ended, long-handled toothbrush with soft bristles and a nice rubber grip on the handle. Although it's a really nice toothbrush, it's hard to justify the price. If you want the Cadillac of pet toothbrushes and don't mind paying the hefty price, this could be the toothbrush for you.
  • Virbac C.E.T. Pet Toothbrush ($6): This toothbrush is soft, with two bristle heads for different size dogs and a long handle to reach the back teeth. It's affordable, but it doesn't beat the Bodhi Dog 12-pack.
  • Vetoquinol Care Enzadent Dual-Ended Toothbrush ($4): This toothbrush is very similar to the Bodhi Dog Doggie Toothbrushes (it's even the same color), but you only get one for $4. For just $3 more, the 12-pack from Bodhi Dog is a much better value.

Water additives

  • Tropiclean Fresh Breath Water Additive ($17): This contains zinc gluconate and green tea leaf extract, among other ingredients, to defend against plaque and tartar. At about $0.50 an ounce, this water additive is a good value. Like the other additives we tested for this guide, it is not VOHC accepted.
  • Oratene Enzymatic Brushless Oral Care Water Additive ($17): This additive uses a patented LP3 enzyme system as well as zinc chloride to support periodontal health and keep teeth and gums clean. But it's nearly triple the price of Oxyfresh Pet Water Additive, making Oxyfresh a far better value.

Dental chews

What we're looking forward to testing

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We plan to test the following products for a later update to this guide:

Tips for brushing your dog's teeth

Foto: Source: Business Insider/Jackie Brown

If you're new to brushing your dog's teeth, know that it is easier than you might think! Pet-safe toothpaste comes in dog-enticing flavors like chicken, duck, and beef, so most dogs get on board with brushing pretty quickly.

"The best time to brush your pet's teeth is when you are both relaxed," Redmond said. "If your pet resists the brushing, growls, bites, scratches, or shows any other signs of aggression during toothbrushing, stop immediately and consult your veterinarian for advice."

Start out slow, giving your dog several days or weeks to adjust. It's okay if you only brush a few teeth at a time for the first few sessions. Focus on the outside surfaces of the teeth. Plaque and tartar generally do not accumulate much on the insides of the teeth since the dog's tongue is constantly wiping them clean. Keep brushing sessions positive with treats or tummy rubs.

Redmond offers these helpful tips for brushing your dog's teeth:

  • When brushing with a toothbrush, keep the mouth closed and slip the brush in between the cheek and teeth.
  • Your pet may try to move backward when you open their mouth; be prepared.
  • Using pet toothpaste, brush on the outside of the teeth only. Do not worry about the inside of the teeth.
  • Praise your pet frequently during the brushing.
  • If your pet tolerates only brief brushing, don't be discouraged. Some brushing is better than none at all.

Check out our other buying guides for the best dog gear and supplies

Foto: Source: Sladic/Getty Images

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