Your dog absolutely loves his dental chews. They are among his favorite treats. But do they really protect his teeth?
If the package has a seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, the answer is yes — up to a point. The Veterinary Oral Health Council, or VOHC, awards its seal to products if they succeed in scientific trials that meet its strict standards for research.
A VOHC seal may be awarded for a product’s ability to control plaque, tartar, or both. Plaque is the soft, sticky film that builds up on the teeth and contains millions of bacteria. Tartar is hardened plaque that is more difficult to remove. Both plaque and tartar contribute to gum disease that sets the stage for tooth decay.
But here’s the “up to a point” part. No dog food may be said to actually prevent tooth decay. While controlling plaque and tartar that contribute to tooth decay is fair game for marketing purposes as long as well-conducted research backs it up, a health claim for protection against the actual decay of teeth — a disease prevention claim of sorts — would be out of legal bounds. That’s because chewing on certain foods, while it allows debris that has accumulated on them to be scraped off, could never do the whole trick to keep teeth clean and healthy. Nor could chewing on dental treats fully protect surrounding gum and bone. Brushing your dog’s teeth at least every other day is necessary for making sure all the teeth are scrubbed clean, even if the label of a dental treat says something like “helps clean hard-to-reach teeth.”
Additionally, as a dog gets older, periodic teeth cleanings under anesthesia are necessary to remove tartar that has accumulated below the gum line. No amount of chewing on a particular food can help there.
For that reason, dental treats can only be considered additional armor in the fight against dental decay.
To learn more about seals from the VOHC and to see which treats on the market currently have one, check out vohc.org. The organization lists which treats have earned the seal and whether for plaque, tartar, or both.
The site also lists brands of dog foods that can make the claim for plaque and/or tartar control (there are 10 currently — all dry foods). Additionally, it names water additives, oral gels, oral sprays, toothpastes, and powders to be added to food that help protect against the buildup of decay.
