Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions in dogs. Notably, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine cites studies showing 80-90 percent of dogs over age 3 have some component of periodontal disease1. Several peer-reviewed prevalence studies put the figure at 80-89 percent in dogs over 32. Severity tends to rise sharply with age, and smaller breeds carry higher risk.

Why Professional Care Comes First

The most important framing for any senior dental article: professional dental cleaning under general anesthesia is the veterinary standard of care for dogs with periodontal disease. In particular, home dental products are adjunctive. The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines and the AVDC position on Companion Animal Dental Scaling Without Anesthesia both state that proper dental evaluation, scaling, charting, and radiographs require general anesthesia34. Below-the-gumline disease drives most of the pathology, and visible-tartar removal without anesthesia is cosmetic rather than therapeutic. Home dental products can slow plaque and tartar accumulation between professional cleanings; nothing on a retail shelf reverses established periodontal disease.

The five picks below cover situations where home dental support is reasonable adjunct alongside veterinary care. Therefore, for senior dogs with visible tartar accumulation, gingival inflammation, dropped food, mouth pain signs, or weight loss, professional veterinary evaluation comes before product selection.

Related guides cover senior dog foodjoint supplements, and cognitive support for the broader senior care framework.

Last updated: May 29 2026 | By Austin Murphy

This article is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. Periodontal disease is a clinical diagnosis that requires veterinary examination, often under general anesthesia, including dental radiographs. Bad breath, dropped food, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, bleeding gums, loose teeth, or appetite changes warrant prompt veterinary evaluation. Home dental products do not substitute for professional dental cleaning when disease is established.

Disclosure: HappyPaws is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Quick Verdict

  • Also, Best VOHC-accepted dental chew for daily home support: Canine Greenies Senior carries actual VOHC Seal of Acceptance for plaque and tartar (awarded 2008), with a softer texture suited to senior dogs5. Pair with professional veterinary dental evaluation.
  • Also, Skip all of these and see your veterinarian if your senior dog shows: visible tartar buildup, red or bleeding gums, loose teeth, dropping food while eating, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, weight loss, or behavioral changes. Established periodontal disease requires professional treatment under anesthesia. Home products cannot reverse it.

Understanding Senior Dog Dental Disease

Periodontal disease begins with plaque biofilm on the tooth surface and progresses through several stages. However, Stage 1 (gingivitis) is reversible with proper care. Stages 2 through 4 (periodontitis) involve progressive loss of the tissues supporting the teeth, including alveolar bone, and are irreversible at the tissue level6. Finally, by senior years, many dogs without consistent prior dental care have progressed to later stages. AVDC uses a 0-IV grading scale during professional evaluation under anesthesia.

One important pattern: the visible portion of dental disease often understates the actual pathology. In particular, subgingival disease (below the gumline) is where most periodontitis lives. Visual examination of awake dogs misses a substantial fraction of dental pathology7. Dental radiographs taken under anesthesia identify bone loss, root abscesses, and other below-the-gumline disease that look fine externally.

Periodontal Disease and Systemic Health

An association between periodontal disease and certain systemic conditions exists in the veterinary literature, though the causal direction is still being clarified. For example, a 2019 cross-sectional study found a statistically significant association between periodontal disease and cardiac disease in dogs (p=0.026)6. Overall, older work, including Glickman 2009 (DeBowes 1996 and others), found associations between periodontal disease severity and markers of cardiac, renal, and hepatic disease8. These associations support taking dental disease seriously, but the literature has not established a clean causation chain. The honest framing: periodontal disease is harmful in its own right (pain, tooth loss, chronic infection), and its association with systemic disease is one more reason to manage it under veterinary care.

Senior dogs face two related challenges. However, disease that has accumulated over years often requires more extensive professional intervention than disease caught earlier. Ultimately, anesthesia for dental cleaning in senior dogs requires careful pre-anesthetic evaluation including bloodwork, but modern protocols and monitoring make the procedure substantially safer than the underlying untreated disease9. Avoiding professional dental care because of anesthesia concerns generally does not serve senior dogs well; discuss the specific risk-benefit with your veterinarian.

About Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleaning

Non-Professional Dental Scaling (NPDS), often marketed as “anesthesia-free dental cleaning,” is opposed by the American Veterinary Dental College, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association4. AVDC’s position, in place since 2004, identifies several problems with the procedure. Operators cannot examine surfaces facing the tongue or below the gumline. Sharp instruments in the mouth of a conscious animal create injury risk. No airway protection means risk of aspirating debris. Without anesthesia, dental radiographs cannot be taken, which means subgingival disease remains undiagnosed4.

NPDS cleans the visible surfaces of some teeth but does not address the disease that lives below the gumline. As a result, owners can be misled into believing the dog has received dental care equivalent to professional cleaning when in fact the underlying disease has progressed unaddressed. Several jurisdictions have prosecuted unlicensed NPDS providers for practicing veterinary medicine without a license. If anesthesia risk is a concern for your senior dog, the productive conversation is with your veterinarian about pre-anesthetic workup and protocols, not avoiding professional care entirely.

What to Look for in Senior Dog Dental Products

VOHC Seal of Acceptance verification

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) evaluates dental products against standardized protocols and awards the Seal of Acceptance to products demonstrating effectiveness against plaque, tartar, or both. VOHC requires controlled trials with specific endpoints rather than marketing claims5. The seal does not mean a product treats disease; it means the product met the relevant plaque or tartar reduction criteria in trials. For senior dogs, prioritizing VOHC-accepted products gives you confidence the effectiveness claims have been independently evaluated.

Match to your dog’s actual dental status

Senior dogs vary widely in mouth condition. Some carry sensitive gums or missing teeth that affect what they can chew comfortably. Hard chews can be painful or risky for dogs with weakened teeth or unstable remaining dentition. Match product texture and form factor to your dog’s specific situation. Your veterinarian’s evaluation will identify what your dog can safely use.

Caloric content for weight management

Dental chews carry meaningful calorie loads. Many full-size dental treats run 70-100+ calories each. Daily use can compound to a substantial fraction of a small dog’s daily caloric need. Read the calorie information on the package, and reduce regular food slightly to account for chew calories if dental treats are part of your routine. Senior dogs often have reduced activity and gain weight readily; uncalibrated treat use undermines body condition.

Ingredient compatibility with your dog’s situation

Dogs with confirmed protein sensitivities, grain intolerance, or other dietary restrictions need dental chew ingredients matched to those needs. Per Mueller 2016, the most common canine food allergens are beef (34%), dairy (17%), chicken (15%), wheat (13%), and lamb (5%)10. For dogs without specific sensitivities, ingredient lists matter less. Dogs with known sensitivities should be matched to dental chew ingredients that meet the same standards as the main diet.

Active mechanism transparency

Dental products work through several mechanisms: mechanical scrubbing during chewing, enzymatic action that breaks down plaque biologically, chlorhexidine-based antimicrobial action, or systemic effects through saliva (as with Ascophyllum nodosum kelp products). Products that disclose their active mechanism and have research supporting that mechanism tend to be more reliable than products making vague claims.

Avoid therapeutic-claim overreach

OTC dental products cannot legally claim to “treat,” “cure,” or “reverse” periodontal disease. In particular, marketing language about products “reversing periodontal disease” or “eliminating” tartar buildup is overreach. Foods and chews that frame themselves as preventive support or adjunct to professional care are being more honest about what home products can do.

Best Dental Care Products for Senior Dogs in 2026: Our Top 5 Picks

1. Canine Greenies Senior

Best VOHC-accepted dental chew with senior texture | Price: ~$25 per pack

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Canine Greenies Senior carries the VOHC Seal of Acceptance for both plaque and tartar (awarded 2008)5. Softer texture than the standard Greenies line makes the Senior variant more suitable for dogs with sensitive gums or compromised dentition. Mechanical action during chewing addresses some plaque on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Note that the Senior variant does not include joint compounds; if you want a dental chew that also has glucosamine, the separate Greenies Hip and Joint Care Chews are the relevant product (also VOHC-accepted).

Key Features

VOHC Seal of Acceptance for plaque and tartar (2008). Softer texture for senior dogs. Mechanical action during chewing. Available in multiple sizes matched to dog weight.

PROS:

  • Also, actual VOHC certification (not just marketing claim)
  • Also, Senior-specific softer texture for sensitive mouths
  • Available in size-matched packs
  • Easy daily routine integration
  • Established product with consistent formulation

CONS:

  • Also, Caloric load is significant; track against daily intake
  • Also, Wheat-based formulation may not suit dogs with grain sensitivities (grain-free Greenies variant available separately)
  • Notably, Mechanical action reaches chewing surfaces, not subgingival disease
  • Furthermore, cannot reverse established periodontal disease; adjunctive only
  • Also, Senior variant does not include joint compounds despite live-article claims circulating online

Best for: daily home dental support for senior dogs whose veterinary evaluation has not identified disease requiring professional treatment, dogs without grain sensitivities, and households building a sustained home dental routine alongside annual or biennial professional cleanings.

2. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste

Best enzymatic toothpaste for brushing-compatible dogs | Price: ~$15 per 70g tube

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Daily tooth brushing remains the gold standard of home dental care according to the AVDC4. Brushing physically removes plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. For dogs that accept brushing, Virbac C.E.T. is among the more established enzymatic toothpaste options, using a dual enzyme system (glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase) that adds antibacterial action to mechanical brushing. Multiple flavors (poultry, malt, vanilla-mint, beef, seafood) help with acceptance.

Key Features

Dual enzyme system (glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase). Multiple flavor options for acceptance. Safe to swallow (dogs cannot rinse and spit). Companion to soft-bristle brushes or finger brushes. Not VOHC-accepted as a standalone toothpaste (VOHC recognizes the toothpaste-brush combination protocol).

PROS:

  • Also, daily brushing addresses plaque before it becomes tartar
  • Also, established formulation with veterinary clinic distribution
  • Notably, multiple flavor options improve acceptance odds
  • Furthermore, long-lasting tube; 3-6 month supply typical
  • Also, pairs with mechanical brushing for two-mechanism approach

CONS:

  • Also, requires the dog to accept brushing, which many seniors resist
  • Owner technique affects results substantially
  • Daily commitment requirement is real
  • Furthermore, brushing does not reach subgingival disease; professional cleaning still needed
  • Also, dogs with severe oral pain may resist brushing of affected areas

Best for: senior dogs that accept tooth brushing from a calm, consistent owner, households building a daily dental routine, and pairing with regular professional veterinary dental evaluation.

3. TropiClean Fresh Breath Water Additive

Best passive option requiring no cooperation | Price: ~$12 per 33 oz bottle

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Some TropiClean water additive variants have received VOHC acceptance; check the specific bottle for the seal. The mechanism involves adding the product to drinking water for continuous low-level exposure to the dental ingredients. For senior dogs that refuse brushing and reject chews, water additives provide passive support. Effectiveness is genuinely lower than brushing or VOHC-accepted chews, but the threshold for use is also lower. Pair with other approaches rather than relying on water additives alone.

Key Features

Added to drinking water at recommended dilution. No active dog cooperation required. Continuous low-grade exposure during drinking. Some variants VOHC-accepted; verify on packaging.

PROS:

  • Also, zero cooperation needed from the dog
  • Also, useful for multi-dog households (shared water bowl)
  • Modest ongoing cost
  • Furthermore, reasonable adjunct when active care is refused
  • Effortless integration into existing routine

CONS:

  • Also, effectiveness lower than brushing or chewing
  • Also, some dogs reject water with additives, which can reduce hydration
  • Notably, not a substitute for primary dental care
  • Furthermore, verify VOHC acceptance on your specific bottle; not all variants are tested
  • Cannot address established disease

Best for: households where senior dogs refuse brushing and chews, multi-dog environments, and adjunct support layered onto other dental care approaches.

4. Plaque Off Powder for Dogs

Best systemic food-additive approach | Price: ~$25 per 60g

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Plaque Off uses Ascophyllum nodosum (a brown seaweed) sprinkled over food. The proposed mechanism involves compounds absorbed through digestion and excreted in saliva, where they may affect biofilm and bacterial colonization on tooth surfaces. ProDen PlaqueOff Powder has received VOHC Seal of Acceptance for tartar reduction in some product formulations5. Verify the VOHC seal on the specific bottle. Effectiveness is real but modest, and the mechanism is systemic rather than mechanical, so it does not replace brushing or chewing-based mechanical action.

Key Features

Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed-based formula. Sprinkled on food daily. Systemic mechanism via saliva. ProDen PlaqueOff Powder variants have VOHC acceptance; verify on your packaging.

PROS:

  • Also, no cooperation needed beyond eating regular meals
  • Also, suitable for dogs that refuse all direct dental products
  • Some variants carry VOHC acceptance
  • Furthermore, reasonable adjunct alongside other dental care
  • Also, single small dose mixes invisibly into food

CONS:

  • Also, slower onset than mechanical approaches (4-8+ weeks for visible effect)
  • Also, iodine content from seaweed may be a consideration for dogs with thyroid conditions (discuss with your veterinarian)
  • Notably, mechanism does not include mechanical plaque removal
  • Does not address subgingival disease
  • Also, verify VOHC seal on the specific product variant

Best for: senior dogs that refuse all direct dental products, situations where adjunctive systemic support fits the overall plan, and pairing with mechanical approaches rather than as standalone care.

5. Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dental Gel

Best entry-tier topical gel for dogs that accept finger application | Price: ~$10 per 2.5 oz

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Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dental Gel applies directly to teeth and gums with a finger or applicator, providing localized enzymatic action without full brushing. Ingredients include enzymes alongside neem oil and grapefruit seed extract. Not VOHC-accepted; effectiveness claims come from the manufacturer rather than independent evaluation. For dogs that won’t accept full brushing but tolerate brief finger application of gel to a few teeth, this represents a lower-threshold entry point than full toothpaste-brush routine.

Key Features

Enzymatic gel for topical application. Applied with finger or applicator. No rinsing required. Natural ingredient profile (neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, enzymes). Not VOHC-accepted.

PROS:

  • Also, lower acceptance threshold than full brushing
  • Also, reasonable entry price for testing whether topical application fits your dog
  • No-rinse formulation
  • Wide retail availability
  • Also, useful as a stepping stone toward full brushing routine

CONS:

  • Also, not VOHC-accepted; effectiveness claims are manufacturer-sourced
  • Daily application commitment
  • Limited reach without brushing motion
  • Furthermore, smaller tube requires more frequent reordering
  • Also, cannot replace VOHC-accepted alternatives for proven plaque reduction

Best for: dogs that refuse brushing but tolerate finger application, owners testing topical gel approach before committing to premium products, and budget-constrained households building a starter dental routine.

Which Dental Care Approach Fits Your Senior Dog

Your dog’s situationGreenies SeniorVirbac C.E.T.TropiClean WaterPlaque Off PowderVet’s Best Gel
Visible tartar buildup, gingival inflammation, dropped food, mouth pain signsSkip all. See your veterinarian for evaluation. Established periodontal disease requires professional cleaning under anesthesia. Home products cannot reverse it.
No diagnosed disease, owner can brush, dog acceptsAdjunct: VOHC chew supports between brushingBest fit: AVDC gold standard at homeOptional: passive layerOptional: systemic layerSkip: brushing supersedes
No diagnosed disease, dog refuses brushing, accepts chewsBest fit: VOHC-accepted chewSkip: brushing refusedOptional: passive layerOptional: systemic layerOptional: if finger application accepted
No diagnosed disease, dog refuses brushing and chewsSkip: chew refusedSkip: brushing refusedBest fit: passive water additiveBest fit: food-based systemicOptional: if finger application accepted
Diagnosed thyroid conditionWorkable: standard formulationWorkable: brushingVerify with vet: variants varyDiscuss with vet: seaweed iodine contentWorkable: gel
Grain or wheat sensitive dogSkip: wheat-based; consider grain-free Greenies variant separatelyBest fit: no grain in toothpasteBest fit: no grain in water additiveBest fit: seaweed powderBest fit: gel only
Post-extraction recoveryFollow your veterinarian’s specific post-operative instructions. Home dental products typically resume after the veterinarian-directed healing period. Premature use of chews can disrupt healing.
Multi-dog householdWorkable: individual treatsSkip: per-dog routineBest fit: shared bowlWorkable: per-bowl portionSkip: per-dog routine

Prices approximate and shift with sales and promotions. In addition, the first row applies broadly: any senior dog showing dental disease signs needs professional evaluation before product selection.

How to Use Home Dental Products Responsibly

Establish veterinary baseline first. In addition, annual or semi-annual veterinary examination identifies whether your senior dog has periodontal disease, what stage, and whether professional cleaning is warranted. In addition, home products work best when layered onto periodic professional dental care, not as substitutes for it. AAHA 2023 Senior Care Guidelines recommend annual exams for senior dogs and semi-annual exams for dogs with chronic conditions9.

Build a sustainable daily routine. Instead, consistency matters more than perfection. In addition, A reliable daily routine of one or two methods (brushing plus a VOHC chew, or chew plus water additive) tends to produce better outcomes than rotating through five products inconsistently. Match the routine to what you and your dog can actually maintain.

Track signs that warrant veterinary attention. Importantly, bad breath, dropped food, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, bleeding gums, loose teeth, or behavioral changes signal dental problems that home care will not fix. Senior dogs often hide oral pain; subtle changes in eating speed or chewing side preference matter.

Ongoing Care and Monitoring

Watch caloric load from dental chews. In addition, senior dogs gain weight readily as activity decreases. Therefore, dental chews contribute significant calories that compound over weeks. Reduce regular food to compensate, or choose lower-calorie product variants if weight management is a concern.

Pair home care with professional cleaning intervals matched to your dog. However, some senior dogs need annual professional cleanings; others can go longer between cleanings if home care is consistent and disease is controlled. Your veterinarian’s recommendation for cleaning intervals reflects your specific dog’s mouth and disease history.

Avoid Non-Professional Dental Scaling. In particular, NPDS, sold as anesthesia-free dental cleaning, does not provide equivalent care to professional cleaning under anesthesia and can produce false confidence that the dog has received adequate dental treatment when the underlying disease has progressed unaddressed4.

When to See Your Veterinarian

  • Also, annual or semi-annual examination for senior dogs per the 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines
  • Also, bad breath that has worsened over weeks or months
  • Notably, dropping food while eating, chewing on one side, or avoiding hard food
  • Furthermore, visible tartar buildup, especially yellow-brown coating along the gumline
  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Loose, broken, or discolored teeth
  • Notably, pawing at the mouth, head shaking, or face rubbing
  • Furthermore, facial swelling (could indicate a tooth root abscess)
  • Also, weight loss or decreased appetite of any duration in a senior dog
  • Also, drooling, particularly if it has changed in volume or character
  • Notably, before starting any new dental product if your dog has chronic medical conditions
  • Furthermore, before scheduling any professional dental cleaning, particularly for senior dogs (pre-anesthetic workup matters)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dental chews actually work for senior dogs?

VOHC-accepted dental chews have demonstrated plaque and tartar reduction in controlled trials meeting the council’s protocols5. However, effectiveness is real but bounded: chews address mechanical plaque on chewing surfaces, not subgingival disease. In addition, for dogs with established periodontal disease, professional cleaning under anesthesia handles what home products cannot. VOHC chews work well as adjunct between professional cleanings for dogs without diagnosed disease.

How often should my senior dog have a professional dental cleaning?

Frequency varies by individual dog and is best determined by your veterinarian. For example, many senior dogs benefit from annual professional cleanings; some need them more often if periodontal disease is established. Ultimately, AAHA 2023 senior care guidelines recommend annual or semi-annual examinations that include dental assessment9. Skipping professional cleanings to avoid anesthesia generally allows progressive disease that ultimately requires more extensive intervention.

Is anesthesia for dental cleaning safe for senior dogs?

Modern anesthetic protocols, careful drug selection, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and continuous monitoring make veterinary anesthesia substantially safer than it was decades ago4. Overall, The AVDC and AAHA position that proper dental cleaning requires anesthesia reflects the consensus that anesthesia risk is generally lower than the risk of untreated periodontal disease in senior dogs. Discuss the specific risk-benefit with your veterinarian, including pre-anesthetic workup options.

What about anesthesia-free dental cleaning?

AVDC, AVMA, and AAHA all oppose Non-Professional Dental Scaling (anesthesia-free cleaning) as inappropriate for several reasons: surfaces facing the tongue cannot be examined, subgingival disease is not addressed, sharp instruments in a conscious dog create injury risk, and no dental radiographs can be taken4. In addition, anesthesia-free cleaning may make teeth look cleaner cosmetically while leaving the disease that matters unaddressed.

My senior dog won’t tolerate brushing. What should I do?

Several alternatives exist. For example, VOHC-accepted dental chews provide mechanical plaque removal through chewing. Also, water additives provide passive antimicrobial exposure. In addition, food-additive products like Plaque Off offer systemic support through saliva. Topical gel applied briefly with a finger can serve dogs that won’t tolerate full brushing. Combination approaches often work where single methods alone do not. Even partial home dental care provides more support than nothing, alongside regular professional veterinary care.

Can dental disease really affect my dog’s heart and kidneys?

Veterinary research shows associations between periodontal disease severity and cardiac disease6, and older studies have found associations with markers of renal and hepatic stress8. However, The literature supports an association; the precise causation chain is still being clarified. Overall, an honest framing: periodontal disease is harmful in its own right (pain, infection, tooth loss), and its association with systemic conditions adds reason to take it seriously under veterinary care.

How long until I see results from dental products?

Breath improvement often appears within 1-2 weeks of consistent use. In addition, plaque reduction develops over weeks of daily care. Similarly, established tartar generally does not dissolve from home products; tartar removal requires professional scaling under anesthesia. In addition, setting expectations realistically helps. Home products slow progression and address fresh plaque; they do not reverse established disease.

Are dental chews safe for senior dogs with missing teeth?

Match the chew texture and size to your dog’s actual dentition. However, soft dental chews like Greenies Senior accommodate sensitive mouths and partial dental loss better than harder alternatives. In addition, dogs with significant tooth loss or unstable remaining teeth may need to avoid chews entirely; your veterinarian’s evaluation will identify what’s safe. Discontinue any product that produces difficulty eating, visible discomfort, or bleeding.

Recommended Reading

See also our guides to omega 3 supplements senior dogs, and waterproof bed covers senior dogs.

Sources

Prevalence and Clinical Studies

  1. Also, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center. Periodontal disease. View source
  2. Also, marshall MD, Wallis CV, Milella L, et al. A longitudinal assessment of periodontal disease in 52 miniature schnauzers. BMC Vet Res. 2014;10:166. Plus Stella JL, Bauer AE, Croney CC. A cross-sectional study to estimate prevalence of periodontal disease in a population of dogs (Canis familiaris) in commercial breeding facilities in Indiana and Illinois. PLoS One. 2018;13(1):e0191395. View source
  3. Notably, bellows J, Berg ML, Dennis S, et al. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019;55(2):49-69. General anesthesia with intubation is identified as necessary for proper dental assessment and treatment.
  4. Furthermore, american Veterinary Dental College. Position Statement: Companion Animal Dental Scaling Without Anesthesia (2004, ongoing). American Veterinary Medical Association coverage. View source
  5. Also, veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC Accepted Products List. Canine Greenies Senior, all sizes, awarded VOHC Seal of Acceptance for Plaque and Tartar in 2008. View source

Guidelines and Position Statements

  1. Also, pereira Dos Santos JD, Cunha E, Nunes T, Tavares L, Oliveira M. Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs. Res Vet Sci. 2019;125:136-140. Statistically significant association (p=0.026) between PD and cardiac disease. View source
  2. Also, frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024). Real-world diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers of canine periodontitis. Subgingival assessment under anesthesia identifies disease that visual examination misses. View source
  3. Notably, deBowes LJ, Mosier D, Logan E, et al. Association of periodontal disease and histologic lesions in multiple organs from 45 dogs. J Vet Dent. 1996;13(2):57-60. Plus Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Moore GE, et al. Association between chronic azotemic kidney disease and the severity of periodontal disease in dogs. Prev Vet Med. 2011;99(2-4):193-200. Associations between PD severity and systemic organ markers.
  4. Furthermore, dhaliwal R, Boynton E, Carrera-Justiz S, et al. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2023;59(1):1-21. View source
  5. Also, mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2016;12:9. View source

Related in this cluster: our picks for dog dental chews, the best flea and tick prevention for dogs.