A dog holding a fork with a strawberry in its mouth

Vet-Recommended Dental Supplements: What to Look For

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If you’ve been hanging around our blog for a while, you already know that dental care is vital for the health and overall quality of life of a pooch. Gum disease, plaque, and tartar buildup are just a couple of issues canines suffer from if you fail to take care of their pearl whites.

The gold standard? Brushing, of course.

But dog dental supplements are on the hit parade of health heroes, too. In tandem with a good old toothbrush, they help prevent oral issues and make the mouth care simple and actually enjoyable for both of you.

A woman in a red tank top and black pants sitting on a chair holding a white ceramic

Photo by Honest Paws from Unsplash

Both a dog and human can benefit from supplements to support their teeth and gum health. While you can take care of yourself, your furry babies rely on you for theirs (they’re just too busy showering you with love to handle it themselves). Luckily for you, we’re here with our top picks!

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Dog vitamins, powders, sprays, and water additives with Q10 are what canines need, especially if they’re prone to periodontal disease. Not only does it have positive effects on gum tissue, but it also helps reduce plaque buildup that, in turn, causes tartar, gum inflammation, and even tooth loss. Plus, Coenzyme Q10 is one of the best dog multivitamin options because it helps deal with stinky breath, so your buddy will receive all of the kisses from you.

Seaweed (Ascophyllum Nodosum) & Green Tea Extract

One of our top choices at HealthyWoof! First of all, seaweed is a natural favorite for mutts. It helps combat plaque and tartar formation, while green tea extract is your ally in fighting mouth bacteria.  Green tea is one of the top vet-approved dog supplements because it is a bag of antioxidants that guard a pup’s overall gum health. And when these two heroes work together, this natural collaboration makes a big difference in keeping your dog’s mouth clean and fresh.

Probiotics for Oral Health

Brown French bulldog in blue bucket

Photo by Karsten Winegeart from Unsplash

According to the “Improving the Health of Teeth in Cats and Dogs with Live Probiotic Bacteria,” the prevention of periodontal diseases has been studied, and the most common treatment is scaling. However, supplements for dogs should be in the home arsenal, too. Some probiotics, such as Lactobacillus brevis, can help balance the oral microbiome. It’s good because it simply kills bad bacteria that cause yucky breath and gum irritation.

Natural Antibiotics

In order to prevent situations when dog oral health supplements can do nothing and synthetic antibiotics should come into the scene, try options that nature has to give (sometimes even for free!):

  • Olive leaf. Its active component - oleuropein - boosts the immune system and helps combat dental infections.
  • Plantain. It speeds up healing like no other.
  • Plant-based extracts (like parsley or mint). They help reduce odor-causing bacteria and freshen breath naturally.
  • Calendula. This one works best to relieve pain and heal wounds.
  • Turmeric. One of the best anti-inflammatory drugs out there.
  • Green tea extract. Rich in polyphenols, it helps treat red and puffy gums.
  • Coconut oil. The oil contains lauric acid, which is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Enzymes

Simply put, biological catalysts help speed up chemical reactions in living things. When picking powder or a multivitamin for dogs, check the ingredients for two powerful elements – lactoperoxidase and glucose oxidase. Commonly used in pet-friendly toothpastes, they act as antiseptics that can control mouth bacteria and battle plaque before it turns into a disaster, i.e., tartar. A lot of pet parents know lactoperoxidase very well because this enzyme is one of the biggest enemies of harmful bacteria. In general, both elements help maintain a well-balanced oral microbiome.

Someone’s holding the paw of a black and brown long-coated dog

Photo by Nicole Calmet from Unsplash

The variety of supplements is impressive and can be found literally anywhere, from dog multivitamin products to powder. For your comfort, we created our catalog so you don’t have to go elsewhere. But before you go, always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any of the products above. 

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