5 Tips On How to Help Freshen Your Dog's Breath

Dog kisses are the best—as long as your dog’s breath is fresh. Next time your pooch is giving you a smooch, take a whiff. If you don’t love what you smell, follow these easy steps for fresher breath and great dog oral health. 

Tip 1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth 

Brushing your dog’s teeth every day is the best way to keep his teeth and gums healthy. In fact, the Veterinary Oral Health Council recommends daily tooth brushing for optimal effectiveness. 

If you don’t have a doggy toothbrush, wrap your finger with soft gauze. Don’t use human toothpaste because it may contain additives that can be harmful to your dog. 

Tip 2. Check for Gum Health 

Check that your dog’s gums are not swollen, as this might be an early sign of canine gum disease. Gums should be nice and pink—not red or white. And, like human teeth, dog’s teeth should be clean and free of brown stains. 

When you’re looking inside your dog’s mouth, watch for the following symptoms of a potentially more serious issue: 

• Excessive drooling 

• Loose or missing teeth 

• Tumors on the gums 

• Bumps or lumps under the tongue 

Other more subtle signs your dog might have gum disease: 

• Chewing on one side of his mouth 

• Blood in or around his water bowl, or on chew toys 

• Bloody saliva 

• Difficulty picking up or chewing food 

If you notice any of these, take your dog to the vet. 

Tip 3. Help fight tartar with treats 

Foods and bacteria can cause plaque to buildup on the surface of your dog’s teeth. If it’s not cleaned off regularly, this plaque hardens into tartar, which can cause gingivitis and lead to receding gums or even tooth loss. 

Help fight tartar with a fun fresh breath dog treat. Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews^® daily dental treats are clinically proven to reduce tartar build-up. The revolutionary dental twist bone is designed to help clean even hard-to-reach back teeth and down to the gum line. And, like chew toys, they come in different sizes to suit your dog. 

Tip 4. Put those teeth to work 

Chew toys also work wonders for teeth and gum health. Chewing on a toy helps to scrape away plaque and soft tartar on the teeth, while the chomping action also massages the gums. 

Tip 5. Eating for healthy teeth 

While good treats like Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews^®daily dental treats can help reduce tartar, it’s also important to look at your dog’s diet as a whole. Some dogs may benefit from dog food that scrubs teeth as they chew, or foods that have additives to prevent plaque buildup. Talk to your vet about what diet is right for your dog. 

Bonus tip 

Make sure your dog gets a dental checkup as part of their annual veterinarian check-up.