Walk into any pet store and you'll find an entire aisle dedicated to dental treats, dental chews, dental toys, water additives, powders, gels, and supplements. The pet oral health industry is worth billions of dollars annually, and manufacturers know that pet owners are increasingly concerned about their companion's dental health.

The challenge is determining which products actually work and which are simply clever marketing.

Look for the VOHC Seal

When discussing dental treats with clients, one of the first recommendations I make is to look for products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), here' a link: vohc.org.

The VOHC is an independent organization composed of veterinary dentists and dental scientists that reviews clinical trial data submitted by manufacturers. Products earning the VOHC Seal of Acceptance have demonstrated an ability to reduce plaque, tartar, or both when used as directed. Importantly, the VOHC does not test products itself but reviews data generated according to established protocols and standards.

To receive approval, products must undergo carefully designed clinical studies, and the submitted data must meet strict requirements before the seal is awarded. The VOHC recognizes two primary categories of claims:

• Helps Control Plaque
• Helps Control Tartar

Products must provide evidence supporting each claim independently.

This means that when you see the VOHC seal on a dental treat, chew, diet, or oral care product, you know there is actual scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness rather than marketing alone.

Dental Treats Can Help—But They Are Not Magic

Dental treats can absolutely be a valuable component of an at-home oral care program. They may help reduce plaque accumulation, slow tartar formation, and provide some mechanical cleaning of the tooth surfaces. However, they are not a substitute for professional veterinary dentistry.

Just as importantly, dental treats cannot clean beneath the gumline where periodontal disease develops. The most destructive oral disease in dogs and cats occurs below the visible tooth surface and requires professional evaluation, dental radiographs, and treatment under anesthesia.

Think of dental treats as one tool in the toolbox—not the entire toolbox.

My "Kneecap Test"

One simple rule I often tell owners:

"If you can hit your kneecap with it and it hurts, it's probably too hard for your pet's teeth."

While admittedly not a scientific test, it highlights an important concept. Teeth are incredibly strong, but they are not indestructible.

Many fractured teeth that I treat in practice are associated with chewing on excessively hard objects.

Common offenders include:

• Deer antlers
• Natural bones
• Cooked bones
• Nylon bones
• Hard plastic toys
• Hooves
• Yak chews
• Bully sticks in some aggressive chewers
• Hard compressed chew products

These items have all been associated with dental trauma, including uncomplicated crown fractures, complicated crown fractures, slab fractures, and wear-related injuries.

I routinely see dogs that require root canal therapy or extraction because of injuries sustained while chewing on products marketed as "healthy" or "natural."

The Cost of a Fractured Tooth

A fractured tooth is not simply a cosmetic problem.

Once the pulp is exposed, bacteria gain access to the root canal system. This can result in:

• Chronic oral pain
• Tooth root infection
• Periapical abscess formation
• Facial swelling
• Bone loss around the tooth

Treatment often involves either extraction or root canal therapy, both of which are considerably more expensive and invasive than prevention.

What Should You Choose Instead?

Safer options generally include products that have some flexibility and give when compressed.

I encourage owners to look for VOHC-approved products whenever possible. The VOHC maintains an updated list of accepted products including dental diets, dental chews, treats, water additives, oral gels, and other home-care products.

Examples of VOHC-accepted categories include:

• Dental diets
• Dental chews
• Oral gels
• Water additives
• Toothbrushes and wipes

These products have demonstrated measurable reductions in plaque and/or tartar accumulation in clinical studies.

The Gold Standard Remains Tooth Brushing

Despite the popularity of dental treats, daily tooth brushing remains the gold standard for at-home dental care.

The reality is that no chew, treat, toy, powder, water additive, or supplement can fully replicate the effectiveness of mechanically disrupting plaque with a toothbrush.

The best oral health programs typically combine:

• Daily or near-daily tooth brushing
• Appropriate VOHC-approved products
• Routine oral examinations
• Professional anesthetized dental procedures when indicated

Final Thoughts

Dental treats can be beneficial, but not all dental treats are created equal.

Choose products backed by scientific evidence. Look for the VOHC Seal of Acceptance. Be cautious with excessively hard chews that may fracture teeth. Remember that "natural" does not always mean "safe."

Most importantly, if your pet has bad breath, visible tartar, loose teeth, bleeding gums, or signs of oral discomfort, schedule an evaluation with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist. Dental treats may help slow disease progression, but they cannot diagnose or treat the disease already present beneath the gumline.

A healthy mouth contributes to a healthier pet, and prevention is always easier than treating advanced dental disease.

Wishing you and your pets many happy, healthy years together,

— Michael C. Congiusta, DVM, DAVDC
Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery