How To Get Rid Of Tartar On Dog’s Teeth

Are your dog’s pearly whites not looking so pearly and white? It’s possible that they may have tartar buildup. Tartar is a hard, yellow substance that is caused by plaque mineralization. Tartar can build up over time on a dog's teeth. It’s not just unsightly, but can lead to serious diseases like gum disease, periodontal disease, and even heart, liver, and kidney disease.

It's clear that dog tartar removal is essential to your dog’s health—but how do you get rid of it? Read on to learn everything you need to know about dog dental tartar: what it is, how to prevent it, and how to get rid of it.

• What Is Tartar?
• What Causes Tartar Buildup In Dogs?
• The Importance Of Tartar Removal
• How To Prevent Plaque & Tartar Buildup In Dogs
• How To Remove Tartar From Your Dog’s Teeth
• FAQs
• Final Notes

What Is Tartar?

Just like humans, dogs can get buildup on their teeth. This buildup typically starts as plaque. It’s a combination of leftover food particles, naturally occurring bacteria, and saliva. Within 24 hours, plaque can harden and yellow through a process known as mineralization. This hardened form of plaque is tartar. It may appear on your dog’s teeth and along their gum line. As tartar builds up, it can lead to dental disease and more.

What Causes Tartar Buildup In Dogs?

Tartar buildup in dogs is caused by a combination of soft plaque and calcium salts from your dog’s saliva. As these two mix, they begin to harden and form hard tartar. Once tartar begins to form, the process snowballs. Tartar has a rough surface that attracts more plaque, which gets stuck in its nooks and crannies and creates more tartar.

As tartar continues to accumulate, it becomes extremely hard to remove. Tartar is too strong to remove at home. To get rid of dog tartar, it takes a professional teeth cleaning.

The Importance Of Tartar Removal

Dog dental tartar’s biggest danger is that it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow. Tartar buildup can lead to conditions including:¹

• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Gum sensitivity and recession
• Gingivitis and other gum disease
• Tooth abscesses and decay
• Periodontal disease

Dental disease is of great concern in your pet. The same bacteria that cause dental disease can infect other parts of your dog’s body, including their liver, kidneys, and heart. Experts have found a direct link between periodontal diseases and heart disease, valvular disease, and endocarditis, a dangerous heart infection.¹ To keep your dog healthy, tartar removal is essential.

How To Prevent Plaque & Tartar Buildup In Dogs

Your first defense against dog dental tartar is the prevention of plaque buildup. Remember, dog tartar forms from a combination of plaque and saliva. By regularly removing plaque from your dog’s teeth, tartar won’t have the chance to form. Follow these steps to remove plaque.

Brush your dog’s teeth daily

Healthy dental habits begin with regularly brushing your dog’s teeth. You can find dog toothbrushes and toothpaste at most pet stores. It’s important to never use human toothpaste on dogs. Human toothpaste can contain both fluoride and xylitol, both of which are toxic to pets.² Plus, dog toothpaste comes in dog-friendly flavors that can make the experience positive for your pet.

When it’s time to brush your dog’s teeth, it’s important to take it slow. Gently hold your dog’s lip up and take care to brush all teeth. Use light pressure and gently brush back and forth. If the toothbrush bristles are flattening out against the teeth, you’re using too much pressure.

It may take time to get your dog accustomed to having their teeth brushed. We recommend that you start brushing their teeth when they are puppies to set up good dental care habits for life. Be sure to give them lots of breaks and reward them with treats once you’re finished!

Explore dental care products

There is a range of products on the market designed to help maintain your dog’s dental health and prevent the buildup of tartar on dogs’ teeth. Dog dental chews, for instance, are designed with ridges that help to remove plaque from their teeth. They also often contain enzymatic cleaners that break down tartar-causing bacteria. You can also find water additives, sprays, and other dental care products that help prevent dog dental tartar.

Some of our favorite dog dental care products include:

• OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews for Dogs: These chews use a dual-action formula to protect and clean your dog’s teeth. Purchase the pack that corresponds with your dog’s weight.
• C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Dog Chews: VeggieDent plant-based chews don’t just clean teeth, but promote a balanced digestive system, too.
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz Canine Treats: Long-lasting, high-protein Dental Chewz are recognized by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to significantly reduce tartar buildup in dogs.
• C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Dogs: C.E.T. Enzymatic chews reduce plaque, loosen tartar, and remove bad breath-causing bacteria.

Get yearly dental cleanings

Just like humans, dogs need yearly professional dental cleanings to keep their teeth healthy. Even with regular teeth brushings, plaque and tartar can build up in hard-to-reach places like the back teeth, between teeth, and more. A yearly dental cleaning can get rid of dog tartar and any other buildup. It’s also a chance for your vet to check in on your dog’s overall oral health, monitor for signs of gum disease or periodontal disease, and more.

How To Remove Tartar From Your Dog’s Teeth

The only way to clean tartar off your dog’s teeth is with a professional dental cleaning. Vets and veterinary dentists have special tools that can help with dog tartar removal, known as scalers. These tools use either manual force or high-frequency sound to break down the tartar on your dog’s teeth. After they’ve gotten rid of dog tartar, the vet will go through with a polisher and smooth your dog’s teeth. This will get rid of any rough surfaces that dog dental tartar can build up on in the future.

FAQs

When is tartar a cause for concern?

While tartar on your dog’s teeth doesn’t call for an emergency vet visit, it should be addressed promptly. Once tartar begins to build up, it creates a surface on your teeth that attracts more tartar buildup. It also creates the perfect place for bacteria to grow. This bacteria can cause gum disease, periodontal disease, and even affect your dog’s liver, kidneys, and heart.

If you notice tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth, talk to your vet. They can assess the severity and recommend treatment, like a dental cleaning.

What do vets use to remove tartar?

Vets get rid of tartar on your dog’s teeth through a process called scaling. They use manual scaling tools to get rid of most of the tartar on your dog’s teeth, then go back through with a device that uses high-frequency sound to remove tartar from hard-to-reach places. Finally, a vet will polish your dog’s teeth to get rid of any rough surfaces that may promote future tartar buildup.

What products should I use to prevent dog tartar buildup?

In addition to dog dental chews and toothbrushes, there are a number of products that can help prevent tartar from building up on your dog’s teeth. These include:

• Water additives: These act similarly to human mouthwash, but are safe for your dog to swallow. They use enzymes and other types of cleaners to get rid of tartar-causing bacteria. It’s recommended to give your dog a bowl of additive-free water to drink in addition to water with additives.
• Dental wipes: Dog dental wipes can help remove buildup on the surface of your dog’s teeth. That said, they’re not a replacement for brushing your dog’s teeth, as they can't get into the smaller grooves of your dog’s teeth and the spaces where their gums and teeth meet.

Final Notes

While dog dental tartar isn’t the end of the world, it does require your attention. Without proper care, tartar on a dog’s teeth can lead to gum disease, periodontal disease, heart disease, and more.

To prevent tartar from building up, it’s important to make dental care a part of your dog’s daily routine. Through yearly cleanings, your vet can help get tartar off your dog’s teeth before it can do damage.

Looking for more dental advice? Join Dutch. Dutch members get unlimited access to licensed veterinarians for guidance on dental care and other common concerns. Plus, Dutch members get dog dental care products delivered to their door with free shipping on all pharmacy orders.