Now when she hears me brushing my teeth, she comes into the bathroom wagging, and waits for her turn. A water-pik type dental system has been developed for dogs. It works on the same principle as similar devices for people. Chlorhexidine is added to the water to kill the bacteria in the mouth, and the water stream removes the plaque. This may be especially useful for some pets with gum disease, who bleed from the gums if a brush is used.
Studies show that hard kibbles are slightly better at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth.
Research studies have shown that pets eating this food have less plaque and calculus build-up. This food is available through your veterinarian. Avoid feeding pets table scraps because they can increase the build up of plaque and tartar , and can lead to other health problems. Mechanical removal of plaque can be accomplished by using toys such as Plaque Attacker dental toys, rope toys or rawhide chips. Do not use toys that are abrasive and can wear down the teeth.