In brief: five key myths and the facts
I go through each point separately below, with a link to an in-depth article.
DIET
Myth: dry food cleans teeth
In fact: ordinary kibble shatters against the tip of the tooth and barely touches the gum line, where plaque builds up and inflammation starts. Special dental diets with a particular kibble structure can slow the build-up of plaque and tartar — look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal. But even these only add to brushing and do not remove tartar that is already there.
CHEWS
Myth: bones and antlers clean teeth safely
In fact: hard bones, antlers, hooves, stones and nylon “bones” are one of the main causes of broken teeth in dogs. The teeth that break most are the canines and the big upper cheek tooth (the fourth premolar), and an exposed pulp (the nerve of the tooth) hurts. Try the fingernail test: if your nail leaves no dent, the item is too hard for teeth.
HOME CARE
Myth: baking soda, human toothpaste or a gel can replace a toothbrush and pet toothpaste
In fact: a pet swallows everything that goes into its mouth, while human toothpastes are designed to be spat out; xylitol in some of them is toxic to dogs. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and coconut oil are not meant for pet dental care either. Gels, sprays and water additives can support brushing but do not replace it: only a toothbrush mechanically removes plaque at the gum line.
More: Why you should not use human toothpaste and Why ointments, sprays and gels do not treat bad teeth.
BAD BREATH
Myth: bad breath is normal for a dog
In fact: a mild smell straight after eating is normal, but persistent bad breath usually means a problem in the mouth: plaque and tartar, inflamed gums, a diseased or broken tooth. Sometimes the cause lies outside the mouth, such as kidney or metabolic disease. So persistent bad breath is a reason for an examination, not for a breath freshener that only masks it.
PAIN
Myth: if a pet is eating, nothing hurts
In fact: dogs and cats hardly show dental pain: hunger wins, so they change the way they eat rather than stop eating. The signs are subtler — chewing on one side, dropping food, avoiding hard treats, a cat grooming less. A broken tooth with an exposed pulp, or tooth resorption, can hurt for months while the bowl is emptied every day.
More: Why pets keep eating with painful teeth and Signs of tooth pain in dogs.
Every tooth has a nerve; I show how it is arranged on a diagram in How a dog’s and cat’s mouth works.
CATS
Myth: cats do not need dental care
In fact: cats get the same problems as dogs — plaque, tartar, gingivitis (inflamed gums), periodontitis, broken canines. On top of that, tooth resorption (TR) is common in cats: the body itself breaks down the tissues of the tooth, starting at the neck or the root. It is painful and often invisible on the crown, so cats need toothbrushing, as far as the cat allows, and regular check-ups just as much as dogs.
More: Tooth resorption in cats (TR) and How often does a cat need a dental check-up.
PUPPIES AND KITTENS
Myth: temporary teeth do not matter — they fall out by themselves
In fact: a temporary (baby) tooth that stays in place next to a permanent tooth that has already come through is a reason for an examination: two teeth in one spot trap plaque and can push the permanent tooth out of position, affecting the bite. This happens most with the canines in small-breed dogs. A broken temporary tooth should not be left either: infection from it can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
DENTAL CLEANING
Myth: a dental clean is just tartar removal, and COHAT is an upsell
In fact: tartar on the crown is only the visible part; the disease develops below the gum line, where over time the bone around the root can be lost. COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) means examining every tooth under anaesthesia, measuring periodontal pockets (gaps between the tooth and the gum), cleaning above and below the gum line, polishing and dental radiography of all teeth. Without this, a diseased root or resorption is easy to miss, and I only suggest treatment for what is actually found and agree it with you first.
More: What is COHAT and why it is more than a dental clean.
- Tartar on the crown — what owners can see.
- Plaque and tartar under the gum — the main source of inflammation.
- Periodontal pocket — a gap between the gum and the root.
- Bone around the root breaks down, and the tooth loses support.
ANAESTHESIA
Myth: anaesthesia-free cleaning is a safe alternative
In fact: without anaesthesia, all that can be done is to scrape visible tartar off the crowns: the teeth look whiter, but nothing changes below the gum line, and a clean crown gives a false impression of health. The pet is stressed, a sharp instrument near the gums can injure them, without polishing the enamel stays rough, and water and plaque can get into the airway. This is why the AVDC (American Veterinary Dental College) and other professional bodies do not recommend it.
More: Anaesthesia-free dental cleaning for dogs: why it is dangerous.
MEDICINES
Myth: antibiotics will cure a bad tooth
In fact: an antibiotic may reduce inflammation and smell for a while, but it does not remove the cause — tartar below the gum line, a dead pulp, lost bone or a retained root fragment. That is why symptoms usually come back after the course, and unnecessary courses encourage antibiotic resistance. In dentistry, antibiotics are prescribed only when clinically indicated and alongside treatment of the tooth, not instead of it.
More: Antibiotics for dental disease: when they are needed and when not.
OLDER PETS
Myth: an old pet is too old for anaesthesia
In fact: age is not a disease: anaesthetic risk depends on the heart, kidneys, liver and any other conditions, not on the number of years. Before anaesthesia an older pet has blood tests and, when clinically indicated, an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and other tests; during the procedure a dedicated veterinary anaesthetist monitors them continuously. Putting treatment off, on the other hand, means years of chronic pain and infection in the mouth.
More: Anaesthesia for an older dog or cat: can teeth be treated in old age.
EXTRACTIONS
Myth: a pet without teeth cannot eat
In fact: many dogs and cats eat well after diseased teeth are extracted, and some eat more eagerly than before because the pain has gone. Dogs and cats mostly swallow pieces of food almost whole, so once the gums have healed they manage soft food, and some manage dry kibble too. A tooth that hurts does not help a pet, while extraction when clinically indicated removes a source of pain and infection.
More: Life for a cat without teeth after full-mouth extraction.
When to see a vet
- Swelling of the cheek, under the eye or on the jaw — see a vet as soon as possible.
- Your pet has eaten human toothpaste containing xylitol — call a vet straight away.
- A broken, discoloured or loose tooth — even if your pet eats as usual.
- Persistent bad breath, red or bleeding gums, visible tartar.
- A temporary tooth has not fallen out and the permanent one is already through next to it.
- Your pet chews on one side, drops food or avoids having the face touched.
What you can do at home
- Brush the teeth daily with a soft toothbrush and pet toothpaste, starting with a few seconds.
- Only give chews you can dent with a fingernail, of the right size and under supervision.
- Choose dental treats, diets and gels with the VOHC seal — as an addition to brushing.
- Once a month, check your pet’s mouth using the home checklist.
- Plan preventive check-ups: your vet will suggest how often based on age, breed and the state of the mouth.
What not to do at home
- Do not give hard bones, antlers, hooves, stones or nylon “bones”.
- Do not brush with human toothpaste, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide.
- Do not scrape tartar off at home with tools, and do not agree to anaesthesia-free cleaning.
- Do not give antibiotics or painkillers without a vet: ibuprofen, paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin, naproxen and other human painkillers are dangerous for dogs and cats, and paracetamol is especially toxic to cats.
Frequently asked questions
The most effective thing is daily brushing with a soft toothbrush and pet toothpaste: it removes plaque before it hardens into tartar. You can add products with the VOHC seal and safe chews. Whatever cannot be removed at home is dealt with by a professional dental clean under anaesthesia when clinically indicated.
The root of a tooth is hidden in the bone, and changes there cannot be seen from outside: inflammation at the root tip, bone loss, resorption, retained root fragments. Full-mouth dental radiography under anaesthesia shows what an examination cannot, which is why it is part of COHAT.
I set the interval individually: it depends on age, breed, the state of the gums and whether you manage to brush at home. Small breeds, brachycephalic breeds (pugs, French bulldogs, Persian cats) and pets with periodontitis or resorption usually need check-ups more often. A monthly home check helps in between visits.
Check the ingredients on the tube and call a vet straight away, especially if it contains xylitol: it is toxic to dogs. Do not wait for symptoms and do not give anything yourself to “neutralise” it — the vet will tell you what to do based on the ingredients and the amount.
Only one a vet has prescribed for this particular pet. Ibuprofen, paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin, naproxen and other human painkillers are dangerous for dogs and cats, and paracetamol is especially toxic to cats. Call your vet — they will advise how to help until the examination. More in [Pain relief for toothache in dogs and cats](/statti/chym-znebolyty-tvarynu-pry-zubnomu-boli).
Ask yourself three questions: does the product promise to remove tartar or cure a tooth without an examination, does it suggest skipping anaesthesia where it is needed, and does the author rely on veterinary guidelines (WSAVA, AAHA, AVDC)? If in doubt, bring the question to an in-clinic consultation or an online consultation.
Sources and professional guidelines
- WSAVA Global Dental GuidelinesGlobal guidelines on veterinary dentistry
- 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and CatsClinical guidelines on dental care
- AVDC Position Statement on Anesthesia-Free DentistryPosition on dentistry without anaesthesia
- AVDC Position Statement on Full-Mouth Dental RadiographsPosition on full-mouth dental radiography
- AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and CatsGuidelines on anaesthesia and monitoring
- AVDC: Position on the Use of Antibiotics in Veterinary DentistryPosition on antibiotics in veterinary dentistry: not as monotherapy
- Cornell University — Tooth resorptionOverview of tooth resorption in cats
- VOHC — Accepted ProductsHome-care products with the VOHC seal
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