How Dog Dental Powders Help Target Bad Breath and Yellow Teeth

Dogs need regular dental care as part of their overall wellness. Without proper cleaning, a dog's teeth can develop plaque, which makes the teeth look yellow and increases the risk of dental decay and other health problems. Plaque can also be a source of less-than-pleasant dog breath.

To give all the good dogs out there sweeter breath, whiter teeth, and better dental health, try adding a dental powder for dogs to their daily routine.

How Does Your Dog's Dental Health Affect Their Overall Health?

In addition to producing bad breath, neglecting dental care for dogs can lead to tooth issues.. It can also cause problems that spread to other parts of your dog's body. Bacteria associated with poor oral health can potentially spread throughout the body, contributing to challenges in maintaining overall wellness and potentially affecting organs such as the kidneys, liver, and heart, as well as impacting joint and metabolic health. Many times, bad breath in dogs can be an early sign of other health problems. The bacteria that builds up in the mouth may also affect other aspects of your pet's health. Along with bad breath, you may notice symptoms like lethargy, changes to eating habits, or indications that your dog is in pain.

Any of these can be a signal that you should check in with the vet to address your dog's overall health. However, even if your dog has no major symptoms, it's vital to stay on top of their oral health by keeping their teeth free from plaque.

What Is Plaque?

Dental plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth. It can harden into tartar if it isn't cleaned away. On your dog's teeth, plaque tends to look like a yellow substance that starts at the gum line and extends down on the teeth. What dog owners can't see is that plaque can also be present under the gumline, where it can harm the dog's gums, the roots of their teeth, and their jaw bones.

Removing plaque under the gumline and on the teeth needs to be done by a qualified veterinarian or veterinary dentist. The dog will need general anesthesia to hold still while a vet does extensive and uncomfortable work in their mouth. Having the dog asleep for the duration is safer for the animals and humans involved.

Skipping dental care means plaque will accumulate in your dog's mouth. Plaque can trap bacteria that cause infection and inflammation. Over time, this can damage the gums and jaw bone, which can lead to dental problems for dogs:

Broken teeth
Tooth loss
Periodontal disease
Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and bite

Some of these conditions can be painful and require surgery, such as removing and extracting broken teeth.

What Dental Care Do Dogs Need?

The American Veterinary Medicine Association recommends that dogs receive a dental checkup once a year, usually as a part of their annual vet visit. Your vet will check your dog's teeth and gums for signs of periodontal disease. They may suggest a dental cleaning to prevent worsening periodontal health and increased risk of other health conditions.

In addition, experts recommend caring for dogs' teeth between visits. For some dogs, that means brushing their teeth daily with dog-friendly toothpaste and specially shaped toothbrushes designed for dog mouths.

For other dogs, though, sitting still to get their pearly whites scrubbed is not their favorite. If your dog doesn't like to cooperate with tooth brushing, a dental powder might be a better option for fighting plaque buildup on their teeth.

What Are Dental Powders for Dogs?

Dental powder for dogs' teeth contains ingredients proven to clean teeth, prevent new plaque, and freshen doggy breath. Unlike teeth brushing, powders are easy to administer. Just sprinkle a small amount on your dog's food. The action of chewing will circulate the powder over all the teeth without any muss or fuss.

The ingredients in canine dental powder are the secret to their success. The primary ingredient in many of the best dental powders for dogs, including our Pet Honestly Dental Powder, is brown algae. Also called Ascophyllum nodosum, this seaweed is clinically proven to reduce plaque in dogs. Researchers found that dogs who received A. nodosum had lower levels of plaque buildup and better overall oral health than dogs who received a placebo.

nodosum can also directly prevent bad breath in dogs. One cause of unpleasant dog breath is volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), a byproduct released when bacteria in the mouth break down proteins and amino acids. In the same research study, dogs who received A. nodosum supplements had lower concentrations of VSC in their mouths.

In addition to plaque-fighting A. nodosum, Pet Honestly Dental Powder includes other ingredients known to naturally clean dog's teeth. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a substance that binds to minerals in saliva to prevent tartar from forming on the teeth.

The postbiotic Lactobacillus plantarum is a so-called "good bacteria." These microorganisms can fight the bad bacteria associated with bad breath and gingivitis in dogs. They also promote a healthy microbiome in your dog's mouth and gut.

To top it all off, the powder includes green tea and parsley to freshen dog breath right after eating.

How To Use Dental Powder for Dogs

Dental powder is simple to use! Simply use the included scoop to measure out the correct dose for your dog based on their weight. Then just sprinkle it in their food. The powder contains pork flavoring that dogs love, so they will happily eat their meals and clean their teeth at the same time.

There are multiple canine dental powders on the market, and you can check dental powder for dog reviews to find the right choice for your pet. Pet Honestly Dental Powder is made of safe, natural ingredients and has a taste that dogs prefer over other dental powders. Adding Pet Honestly Dental Powder to your pet's routine can:

Support gut and mouth health
Reduce the risk of periodontal diseases
Promote a balanced mouth-gut microbiome
Make teeth look whiter
Freshen your dog's breath

For more advice about choosing the best dental powder for your dog, ask for your vet's best dental powder recommendations.

Prioritize your dog's dental health with Pet Honesty's Fresh Breath Dental Powder, one of our wellness-promoting dog powders, and discover a fresher, healthier smile for your furry friend.