These deposits can build up over time into large chunks of material. Severe bad breath develops as the result of the dental infection. Remember, bad breath is not normal in dogs. An effective dental health program for dogs involves three components. The first is diet.
Canned foods can significantly speed up the development of plaque and periodontal disease.
I much prefer feeding dry foods. In fact, there are some diets that have been developed specifically to help prevent dental disease. The second component is routine professional cleaning. Just as in people, dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned by a veterinarian on a regular basis. This cleaning involves removing the dental tartar and plaque above AND below the gum line, and treating the dental infection with antibiotics.