Tired of bad dog breath? Feed these 7 ingredients for better canine dental health

As owners, we have all been on the receiving end of a sloppy kiss from our dog that has lingered in a way that makes us wince. 

Bad breath can stem from a build up of plaque which creates a hard-to-remove substance called tartar and this, along with poor gum health, can lead to that distinctive unpleasant dog-breath smell!

Did you know that dogs' mouths are more alkaline than our own mouths: a dog’s saliva has a pH of 7.5. As a result, their mouths actually promote the formation of plaque, which is why we are often advised to brush their teeth on a daily basis as a necessary part of their care.

However – how often do we make time to actually brush our dog’s teeth? For dog owners, the pressures of life can get in the way and doggy tooth brushing rarely makes it on to the schedule. In addition, a number of different studies[1] have shown that only daily(!) tooth brushing makes any impact at all! So even for us owners who try to brush weekly or monthly, we’re fighting a losing battle against plaque and tartar. Frustrating, right?

So, what do we do about it?

Luckily, there is an easy solution that doesn’t involve wrangling your beloved beast every day of their life. And, it involves items you can *mostly* find in your local supermarket.

(Too busy for a D.I.Y approach? Skip to the bottom for a hassle-free, brush-free solution)

There are 7 ingredients in natural superfoods that can help to prevent dental issues and bad breath. By incorporating these items into your dog’s daily diet, you can start to tip the balance on dental wellness and sweet-smelling breath. Here they are: 

1. Kelp
The seaweed, Kelp, is known to contain[2] a bacterium known as Bacillus licheniformis, which produces an enzyme that works to protect against tooth decay by stripping bacteria away from plaque.

2. Parsley
Parsley contains compounds called monoterpenes which can counteract strong smelling foods. Parsley is also rich in calcium and fluorine which are important for tooth enamel. A great tip for humans and dogs alike, parsley can help to neutralise nasty odours.

3. Fennel
Fennel has long been used for its oral health properties as it exhibits antibacterial properties which can help to inhibit plaque build-up and gum disease. It is thought this is due to the presence of polyphenol compounds such as rosmarinic acid and luteolin.

4. Dill
Dill is a good source of calcium, manganese and iron. Anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-oxidant, dill can help with microbial infections in the mouth; and its antioxidants minimize damage caused by free radicals to the gums and teeth.

5. Chamomile
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe mouth ulcers or irritated gums.

6. Peppermint
Peppermint has long been used for its effects on breath however it is also an effective way to reduce bacteria on the teeth and in the mouth.

7. Fragaria
Fragaria, found in strawberries, is used to soften and remove tartar and dental plaque from teeth and fragraria prevents formation of new plaque deposits. Once the plaque is softened, chews and toys designed to brush teeth are even more effective.

So, there you have it! The 7 superfoods that can help to maintain excellent dental health, and neutralize bad odours. The best part about this solution is that you can incorporate these foods directly into your dog’s dinner and let them take effect. The down side? The amounts of these ingredients that you will need to feed to achieve the desired results. To get the desired benefits from parsley, for example, you would need to include around 10 sprigs per day into your dog’s diet.  And then there’s the fussy eaters who may not be interested in chewing on all this greenery.

Isn't there a hassle-free solution?

Don’t despair! If the DIY approach seems too time-consuming, there is an easier way. At A-OK9 we have recently launched ‘Plaque-K9’ - a game-changing daily food supplement for all dogs - which concentrates the ingredients listed above and combines them in an-easy-to feed, tasty powder which can be fed just once a day in your dog’s normal meals.

Plaque-K9 is a revolutionary new product that doesn’t require any additional brushing for it to be effective. Working in the same way as the superfood elements above, Plaque-K9 can simply be added to your dog’s normal meals or treats. 

To find out more about Plaque-K9, head to our product pages today, or contact us at hello@a-ok9.com to speak to one of our friendly team.

References:

[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4638305/#:~:text=The%20findings%20suggest%20that%20daily,bacterial%20growth%20in%20the%20dogs.&text=The%20incidence%20of%20periodontal%20diseases,of%20periodontal%20disease%20%5B5%5D.

[2] Is seaweed superior to toothpaste?. Br Dent J 213, 102 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.690