February is Pet Dental Health Month, and while dental care is often framed as fresh breath or clean teeth, the reality is far more important.

Veterinary research discussed by integrative vets like Dr. Karen Becker and Dr. Katie Kangas shows that periodontal disease doesn't stay in the mouth. Chronic oral infection and inflammation have been linked to systemic issues such as heart disease, kidney stress, immune dysfunction, and cognitive decline over time.

Because the mouth is highly vascular, inflamed gums allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body—creating chronic, low-grade inflammation that affects overall health.

A healthy mouth doesn't just protect teeth.
It helps protect the entire body.

Why Periodontal Disease Is So Common

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs and cats—and one of the easiest to miss.

Pets are incredibly good at hiding discomfort. They continue eating, playing, and acting normal even as disease develops beneath the surface. By the time bad breath or visible tartar shows up, bacteria are often already living below the gum line, where periodontal disease begins.

That's why dental care isn't cosmetic. It's preventive healthcare.

What Healthy vs. Unhealthy Gums Look Like

Teeth get most of the attention, but the gums are the real giveaway.

Healthy gums should be:

  • Light pink (some pets naturally have darker pigmentation)
  • Firm and snug around the teeth
  • Free of swelling or bleeding

Unhealthy gums may look:

  • Red or deep pink
  • Puffy or swollen
  • Shiny instead of matte
  • Prone to bleeding
  • Receding from the teeth

Inflamed gums are often an early sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease and usually indicate bacteria thriving below the gum line.

Where Tooth Brushing Fits In

Tooth brushing can help, but only when it's done consistently.

Brushing once in a while won't make much of a difference. To be effective, brushing needs to happen multiple times per week to disrupt plaque before it hardens into tartar.

Even then, brushing mostly addresses the surface of the teeth, which is why it works best as part of a broader dental routine—not as the only strategy.

Chewing Matters—and Not All Chewing Is Equal

Chewing is one of the most effective ways to support dental health. It helps clean along the gum line, massage the gums, and mechanically remove plaque.

Raw, Meaty Bones (The Gold Standard)

When chosen appropriately and fed safely, raw, meaty bones are the most biologically appropriate dental tool available.

They:

  • Clean below the gum line using meat and connective tissue
  • Massage and strengthen the gums
  • Remove plaque the way dogs evolved to do
  • Support jaw health and mental enrichment

Raw is essential. Cooked bones should never be fed, as they can splinter and cause injury.

When Raw Isn't an Option

Not every pet can chew raw bones daily. In those cases, choosing better alternatives matters.

We carry PlaqueOff dental chews, which stand out because they contain a specific natural seaweed (kelp) that works through saliva to help make plaque less likely to stick, rather than relying only on abrasive scraping like many mainstream chews.

They're not a replacement for raw bones—but they're a solid non-raw option in a layered dental routine.

Dental Health Starts With What's in the Bowl

Dental health isn't just about what pets chew—it's also about what they eat.

Raw, unprocessed foods naturally contain enzymes that help break down plaque and tartar before they harden. These enzymes are destroyed during high-heat processing, which means heavily processed diets offer little natural support for oral health.

Cleaner, less processed food helps:

  • Support a healthier oral microbiome
  • Reduce systemic inflammation
  • Keep gums more resilient

Less processing means less inflammation—including in the mouth.

When There's Already Significant Buildup

If your pet already has heavy tartar buildup, daily home care alone may not be enough.

A teeth cleaning performed by an experienced veterinarian, or an anesthesia-free teeth cleaning like the one we offer at Odyssey Pets, can help remove existing buildup and give the mouth a fresh start.

That said, cleaning is just one piece of the pie.

Without ongoing daily support, plaque and tartar will return. The best results come from pairing dental cleanings with:

  • Appropriate chewing (raw meaty bones when possible)
  • TEEF* (our favorite dental product besides raw meaty bones!), to help manage oral bacteria below the gum line
  • Better nutrition to reduce inflammation

Think of a cleaning as a reset, not the long-term solution.

*TEEF is a human-grade, prebiotic water additive that targets the root of dental disease: bacterial imbalance. Instead of masking symptoms, TEEF works below the gum line to support a healthier oral microbiome—helping reduce plaque, tartar, and inflammation at the source.

Supporting the Mouth From Multiple Angles

No single tool does it all. The most effective dental routines combine:

  • Regular brushing (multiple times per week)
  • Proper chewing
  • Cleaner, less processed nutrition
  • Support for oral bacteria balance
  • Professional care when needed

Dental health works best as a system, not a one-time fix.

How Odyssey Pets Can Help This February

At Odyssey Pets, we help pet parents build realistic dental routines that actually work. Stop by this February and let's talk dental care that supports your pet's long-term health.