Why Dental Chews Are the One Treat You Should Never Skip (Even If You Brush)

You brush your dog's teeth regularly, so dental chews are just an extra, right? Not quite. Even the most dedicated pet owners who brush their dog's teeth every day are missing something crucial that dental chews provide. The truth is, brushing and chewing work together in different ways, and your dog needs both for truly healthy teeth and gums.

What Brushing Can't Do Alone

When you brush your dog's teeth, you're cleaning the surface and along the gum line—which is important. But a lot of dental problems in dogs start in places a toothbrush simply can't reach effectively. The back molars, the spaces between teeth, and the area just below the gum line are all trouble spots that need a different approach.

Dental chews work through mechanical action. As your dog chews, the treat scrapes against tooth surfaces at different angles, reaches into crevices, and applies pressure that helps break down tartar buildup. This gnawing motion also stimulates the gums, promoting healthy blood flow that keeps gum tissue strong and resistant to infection.

The Saliva Factor

Here's something that might surprise you: chewing triggers saliva production, and saliva is one of your dog's best natural defenses against dental disease. Saliva helps wash away food particles, neutralizes harmful acids, and contains enzymes that naturally fight bacteria.

When your dog works on a dental chew, they produce significantly more saliva than during normal activities or even tooth brushing. This increased saliva flow continues for a while after the chew is finished, providing extended protection. You can't replicate this benefit with a toothbrush alone.

Prevention Beyond the Surface

Most dental chews contain compounds that help prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, or ingredients that freshen breath by targeting odor-causing bacteria. Think of it this way: brushing is like cleaning your counters, but dental chews are like having a cleaning system that works throughout the day. Both are valuable, but they tackle the problem from different angles.

Making Both Work Together

The most effective dental care routine combines brushing with daily dental chews. Brush when you can—even a few times a week makes a difference—and give a dental chew daily, ideally at a time when your dog can really focus on it. This combination approach gives your dog the best possible chance at avoiding painful dental disease, expensive vet procedures, and tooth loss as they age.

Your dog's dental health affects more than just their mouth. Poor dental hygiene can lead to bacteria entering the bloodstream and affecting major organs like the heart and kidneys. A simple daily dental chew is one of the easiest ways to protect your dog's overall health, not just their smile.