Companion Animals

Dog Preventive Dental Care: Advanced Evidence 2026

Preventive dental care evidence in 2026 supports a comprehensive approach combining brushing, diet, and professional care.

Key Facts

Daily tooth brushing remains the gold standard for plaque control in dogs
Veterinary Oral Health Council accredited products provide evidence-based supplementary plaque control
Dental radiography identifies disease invisible to examination alone in 28% of dogs
Enzymatic toothpastes provide additional antibacterial benefit beyond mechanical brushing alone

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs, causing chronic pain that owners routinely underestimate. Prevention through daily brushing and regular professional dental care prevents significant welfare compromise. The investment in prevention costs far less than treating advanced dental disease.

What You Can Do

Establish a daily dental care routine from puppyhood
Choose VOHC-approved dental products as evidence-based supplements to brushing
Schedule professional dental scale and polish under anaesthesia at least annually for adult dogs