Caring for your dog’s teeth is an essential part of dog ownership that is often overlooked. Dental disease can be uncomfortable for your dog and lead to some serious health conditions. Sometimes, veterinary intervention is necessary for keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, but there are some products that you can use at home to help maintain your dog’s dental health.
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
In this article, we’ll review the best dental products to support your dog’s dental health, helping you ensure you’re doing everything in your power to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Poultry Flavored Toothpaste
#1 product line and brand recommended by vets for dog home dental care
Formulated to be palatable
Safe if swallowed
Check Price
Best Value
Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews
Budget-friendly
Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
Highly palatable flavor
Check Price
Premium Choice
Greenies Original Dental Treats
Palatable poultry flavor
Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
Formulated with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Check Price
Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste
Uses enzymes to clean the teeth and prevent buildup
Freshens breath
Palatable poultry flavor
Check Price
Whimzees Brushzees
Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Fortified with antioxidants and vitamins
Recommended by the VOHC
Check Price
The 10 Best Dog Dental Products
The best overall dog dental product is the Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Poultry Flavored Toothpaste, which is part of the #1 dental brand and line recommended by veterinarians. It’s formulated to be palatable to your dog while also being safe if swallowed. It doesn’t contain foaming agents and won’t create a tingly sensation in your dog’s mouth. It contains the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme system, which helps prevent plaque and may help break down mild to moderate plaque.
Type of product: Toothpaste
Flavor: Poultry
Price: $$
Check Price on Chewy
It’s more abrasive than most dog toothpastes, making it highly effective against loose buildup on the teeth and gums. It does not include a toothbrush, so this would need to be purchased separately.
Pros
#1 product line and brand recommended by vets for dog home dental care
Formulated to be palatable
Safe if swallowed
Non-foaming and doesn’t tingle
Can help prevent plaque and may decrease plaque and buildup on the teeth and gums
More abrasive than most dog toothpastes
Cons
Toothbrush sold separately
The best dog dental product for the money is the Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews, which are available in multiple packs and treat sizes for dogs of any size. It contains chicken and milk to enhance palatability. These treats are textured and formulated to reduce tartar buildup, freshen breath, and maintain healthy gums. When fed daily, these treats are as effective as twice-weekly tooth brushing and are clinically proven to reduce tartar. They also provide 12 essential vitamins and minerals, enhancing your dog’s overall health. They are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
#1 product line and brand recommended by vets for dog home dental care
Formulated to be palatable
Safe if swallowed
Non-foaming and doesn’t tingle
Can help prevent plaque and may decrease plaque and buildup on the teeth and gums
More abrasive than most dog toothpastes
- #1 product line and brand recommended by vets for dog home dental care
- Formulated to be palatable
- Safe if swallowed
- Non-foaming and doesn’t tingle
- Can help prevent plaque and may decrease plaque and buildup on the teeth and gums
- More abrasive than most dog toothpastes
Toothbrush sold separately
- Toothbrush sold separately
Type of product: Chew
Flavor: Chicken
Price: $$
Since these do require chewing for functionality, they are not a good option for dogs with chewing difficulties, gum tenderness, or severe tartar and plaque.
Pros
Budget-friendly
Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
Highly palatable flavor
VOHC approved
Reduce tartar, freshen breath, and maintain healthy gums
As effective as twice-weekly brushing when fed daily
Provide 12 essential vitamins and minerals
Cons
Not a good option for dogs with chewing difficulties or severe tartar buildup
The Greenies Original Dental Treats are a premium product for caring for your dog’s dental needs. These treats contain a poultry flavor for palatability, and they are available in multiple treat and package sizes. They are formulated with added minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients to enhance your dog’s health. The texture of the treats helps clean along the gumline, and they are recommended by the VOHC.
Budget-friendly
Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
Highly palatable flavor
VOHC approved
Reduce tartar, freshen breath, and maintain healthy gums
As effective as twice-weekly brushing when fed daily
Provide 12 essential vitamins and minerals
- Budget-friendly
- Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
- Highly palatable flavor
- VOHC approved
- Reduce tartar, freshen breath, and maintain healthy gums
- As effective as twice-weekly brushing when fed daily
- Provide 12 essential vitamins and minerals
Not a good option for dogs with chewing difficulties or severe tartar buildup
- Not a good option for dogs with chewing difficulties or severe tartar buildup
Type of product: Chew
Flavor: Poultry
Price: $$-$$$
They’re easy to digest and shouldn’t cause stomach upset when fed as directed. These treats sell for a premium price if given daily.
Pros
Palatable poultry flavor
Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
Formulated with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Texture cleans along the gumline
Recommended by the VOHC
Cons
Premium price
The Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste uses the power of enzymes to clean your dog’s teeth and prevent new tartar and plaque buildup. It helps freshen your dog’s breath while using it, and the poultry flavor is palatable to most dogs. It’s safe if swallowed and doesn’t foam or tingle. It’s formulated to use hydrogen peroxide to get your dog’s teeth as clean as possible, especially when used regularly. It’s one of the most affordable options reviewed, making it a good budget-friendly option.
Palatable poultry flavor
Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
Formulated with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Texture cleans along the gumline
Recommended by the VOHC
- Palatable poultry flavor
- Multiple sizes of treats and packages available
- Formulated with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
- Texture cleans along the gumline
- Recommended by the VOHC
Premium price
- Premium price
Type of product: Toothpaste
Flavor: Poultry
Price: $
This toothpaste does not include a toothbrush, so this will need to be purchased separately.
Pros
Uses enzymes to clean the teeth and prevent buildup
Freshens breath
Palatable poultry flavor
Safe if swallowed and doesn’t foam
Budget-friendly
Cons
Toothbrush sold separately
The Whimzees Brushzees are textured chews that are vegetarian and made from only nine ingredients, making them a good option for dogs with food sensitivities. They’re fortified with antioxidants and vitamins to help support your dog’s overall health. They are VOHC recommended and flavored with a palatable malt flavoring. These chews last three times longer than most dental chews and are formulated to freshen breath, clean the teeth, and reduce tartar and plaque buildup. They’re available in different treat sizes for dogs of any size.
Uses enzymes to clean the teeth and prevent buildup
Freshens breath
Palatable poultry flavor
Safe if swallowed and doesn’t foam
Budget-friendly
- Uses enzymes to clean the teeth and prevent buildup
- Freshens breath
- Palatable poultry flavor
- Safe if swallowed and doesn’t foam
- Budget-friendly
Type of product: Chew
Flavor: Malt
Price: $$
These are not a good option for dogs with chewing difficulties due to their tough texture.
Pros
Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Fortified with antioxidants and vitamins
Recommended by the VOHC
Palatable malt flavor
Made to last three times longer than most dental chews
Cons
Not a good option for dogs with chewing difficulties or severe tartar buildup
The Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Dental Kit includes vanilla-ginger flavored toothpaste, a double-ended toothbrush, and a finger brush. The enzymatic toothpaste is enhanced with baking soda for maximum cleaning and breath freshness. The enzymes themselves help combat bad breath-causing bacteria in the mouth. The different types of brushes allow for different levels of cleanliness and comfort for dogs with any level of dental disease. It’s a budget-friendly option for tight budgets.
Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Fortified with antioxidants and vitamins
Recommended by the VOHC
Palatable malt flavor
Made to last three times longer than most dental chews
- Good option for dogs with food sensitivities
- Fortified with antioxidants and vitamins
- Recommended by the VOHC
- Palatable malt flavor
- Made to last three times longer than most dental chews
Type of product: Toothpaste
Flavor: Vanilla and ginger
Price: $
This toothpaste is safe if swallowed, but it does have a slight foaming action, which may irritate some dogs.
Pros
Contains everything needed to brush your dog’s teeth
Enzymes and baking soda maximize teeth cleaning and breath freshness
Budget-friendly option
Safe if swallowed
Cons
Has a slight foaming action
The TrueBlue Fast & Fresh Dental Wipes are parsley and peppermint flavored teeth cleaning wipes. They are hypoallergenic and pH-balanced for your dog’s mouth. They contain all-natural ingredients and feature texture on the pads to ensure the teeth are buffed clean. They are a nice size and shape for fitting into your dog’s mouth and are not awkward to handle. There are 50 wipes in a pack, making this a budget-friendly pick for routine use.
Contains everything needed to brush your dog’s teeth
Enzymes and baking soda maximize teeth cleaning and breath freshness
Budget-friendly option
Safe if swallowed
- Contains everything needed to brush your dog’s teeth
- Enzymes and baking soda maximize teeth cleaning and breath freshness
- Budget-friendly option
- Safe if swallowed
Has a slight foaming action
- Has a slight foaming action
Type of product: Wipes
Flavor: Parsley and peppermint
Price: $$
Although they are safe for dogs, these wipes should not be consumed and may make your dog sick if they are. The smell of the wipes is clean but not as minty as you would expect, which some people find unappealing.
Pros
Hypoallergenic and pH balanced
Textured pads are a good size and shape for fitting in a dog’s mouth
50 wipes in a pack
Budget-friendly
Cons
Not safe for consumption
Scent is not as fresh and minty as some people would like
The TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Health Solution + Hip & Joint Support is a water additive that features a fresh, natural taste that won’t discourage your dog from drinking water. It’s available in multiple bottle sizes and contains glucosamine to support the health of your dog’s joints. This product should be added to your dog’s water every day for efficacy, and it won’t be effective against moderate to severe tartar and plaque.
Hypoallergenic and pH balanced
Textured pads are a good size and shape for fitting in a dog’s mouth
50 wipes in a pack
Budget-friendly
- Hypoallergenic and pH balanced
- Textured pads are a good size and shape for fitting in a dog’s mouth
- 50 wipes in a pack
- Budget-friendly
Not safe for consumption
Scent is not as fresh and minty as some people would like
- Not safe for consumption
- Scent is not as fresh and minty as some people would like
Type of product: Water additive
Flavor: Fresh
Price: $$-$$$
However, it does freshen the breath and reduce plaque and tartar buildup from occurring. It may add cloudiness to the water, which is normal but may be unappealing.
Pros
Easy to use
Shouldn’t discourage your dog from drinking
Multiple bottle sizes available
Supports joint health
VOHC approved
Cons
Not a good option for moderate or severe plaque and tartar
May cloud the water
The Vetoquinol Dentahex Oral Rinse is a good option for dogs with moderate to severe dental disease. It contains chlorhexidine, which helps kill bacteria that can cause bad breath and dental disease. It also prevents plaque and tartar buildup and is easy to use. For maximum efficacy, this product should be used after every meal, which can be inconvenient for most people.
Easy to use
Shouldn’t discourage your dog from drinking
Multiple bottle sizes available
Supports joint health
VOHC approved
- Easy to use
- Shouldn’t discourage your dog from drinking
- Multiple bottle sizes available
- Supports joint health
- VOHC approved
Not a good option for moderate or severe plaque and tartar
May cloud the water
- Not a good option for moderate or severe plaque and tartar
- May cloud the water
Type of product: Rinse
Flavor: Palatable flavor added
Price: $$
If your dog swallows more than recommended, it may lead to stomach upset and vomiting. For uncooperative dogs, it may be difficult to effectively get this rinse into the mouth properly.
Pros
Good for moderate to severe dental disease support
Helps kill bacteria leading to bad breath
Highly effective if used daily
Prevents tartar and plaque buildup
Cons
Best if used after every meal
May be difficult to use on an uncooperative dog
The Project Paws Dental Wipes provide seven meals for shelter pets with every purchase. These dental wipes contain chlorhexidine, making them effective against harmful bacteria in the mouth. It reduces plaque and tartar buildup and prevents further buildup. When used along the gumline, these wipes do a good job of removing loose buildup and keeping the gums healthy.
Good for moderate to severe dental disease support
Helps kill bacteria leading to bad breath
Highly effective if used daily
Prevents tartar and plaque buildup
- Good for moderate to severe dental disease support
- Helps kill bacteria leading to bad breath
- Highly effective if used daily
- Prevents tartar and plaque buildup
Best if used after every meal
May be difficult to use on an uncooperative dog
- Best if used after every meal
- May be difficult to use on an uncooperative dog
Type of product: Wipes
Flavor: Mint
Price: $$
These should be used regularly for full efficacy, and they will not be very effective against moderate to severe dental disease. The wipes are not textured, so they may be less effective than some other dental wipe options.
Pros
Provides seven meals to shelter pets with every purchase
Chlorhexidine kills bacteria that leads to bad breath
Reduces plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gums
Help keep the gums healthy
Cons
Must be used regularly for efficacy
Not a good option for moderate to severe dental disease
Not textured
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dental Product for Your Dog
Choosing the right product means understanding your dog’s current dental health. If your dog’s dental disease is severe, which is common in many small breeds and senior dogs, then starting a brushing regimen isn’t going to undo the severe buildup on the teeth. However, when used in conjunction with veterinary professional teeth cleaning, you can maintain the cleanliness and health of the mouth with toothpaste or rinse.
Provides seven meals to shelter pets with every purchase
Chlorhexidine kills bacteria that leads to bad breath
Reduces plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gums
Help keep the gums healthy
- Provides seven meals to shelter pets with every purchase
- Chlorhexidine kills bacteria that leads to bad breath
- Reduces plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gums
- Help keep the gums healthy
Must be used regularly for efficacy
Not a good option for moderate to severe dental disease
Not textured
- Must be used regularly for efficacy
- Not a good option for moderate to severe dental disease
- Not textured
If your dog is young or has very mild dental disease, any of these products can be appropriate. You want a product that you can successfully use, though. Getting a dog used to having its teeth brushed or mouth handled can be difficult, so don’t expect success on the first day of trying. Start small and move up to more regular dental cleaning at home to prevent the worsening of dental disease.
Related Read: 10 Best Dog Breath Fresheners: Reviews & Top Picks
Conclusion
The goal of these reviews is to help you choose a product or multiple products that will work for your lifestyle to maintain your dog’s dental health. The overall best choice is the veterinary-recommended Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Poultry Flavored Toothpaste, which uses enzymes to get your dog’s teeth squeaky clean. The budget-friendly pick is the Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews, which are effective against mild dental disease when used daily. For a more premium product, the Greenies Original Dental Treats are a great option.
See also: 9 Best Puppy Toothpastes: Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Zivica Kerkez, Shutterstock
