Dental Chews vs. Brushing: What’s Best for Your Dog’s Oral Health?

Keeping a dog’s teeth clean is more than just about fresh breath — it’s essential for overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease, painful infections, and even issues affecting the heart or kidneys. The two most common at-home options owners consider are dental chews and tooth brushing. But how do they stack up?

Tooth Brushing: The Gold Standard

Brushing your dog’s teeth — ideally daily — is widely recommended by veterinarians as the most effective way to remove plaque and prevent buildup that leads to tartar and periodontal disease. Tooth brushing:

• Reaches most areas of the teeth systematically, with bristles that can clean along the gum line and between teeth where plaque accumulates.

• Uses canine-safe toothpaste that can help break down plaque and fight bacteria.

• Is far more effective than chews at reducing oral disease when done consistently.

Veterinary guidance emphasizes that brushing even a few times a week is better than nothing, and combining brushing with other methods (like chews) gives the strongest protection short of professional cleanings.

Limitations of brushing:

• Dogs often resist at first, and it takes patience and training to make it routine.

• It requires time (typically a couple minutes per session) and the right tools (soft toothbrushes and pet toothpaste).

  
  

Dental Chews: Helpful but Not a Replacement

Dental chews are specially designed treats or chew products that help reduce plaque and tartar through mechanical abrasion (scraping action) and, in some products, chemical agents that combat bacteria. Studies show daily dental chews can significantly reduce:

• Plaque and calculus (tartar) buildup, increasing oral hygiene compared to no chews.

• Bad breath, by lowering odor-causing bacteria levels.

• Some markers of periodontal disease and even beneficial shifts in oral bacterial populations.

What to look for:

Product effectiveness varies widely. Veterinarians recommend choosing chews with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, which means they’ve been clinically shown to reduce plaque and/or tartar.

Drawbacks of dental chews:

• Not as thorough as brushing: They don’t reach all tooth surfaces, especially under the gum line.

• Some chews can be too hard and risk broken teeth if eaten aggressively.

• Others can add extra calories to your dog’s diet or cause digestive issues if overused.