My Dog Has Bad Breath: What Do I Do?

What severe dental disease
can look like

Pet Dental Health Month is on now, so I’m going to share some statistics and facts I’ve been made aware of about just how important it is to take care of our dog’s mouths and everything in it. If you see what severe dental disease looks like in the picture to the right, none of us wants our babies to have something like this. Here are some alarming stats:

• 78% of dogs and 68% of cats over the age of three suffer from dental disease.
• Dental disease is the most common disease found in dogs and cats.
• Nearly one-third of all dog owners admit they avoid cuddling with their pets because of smelly breath, and bad breath is almost always the first sign of dental disease.
• More than half of dog owners (62%) admit their pet has bad breath, but only one-third have taken their dog (38%)  or cat (29%) to the vet because of it.
• Nothing takes the place of a dental exam at the vet.
• Not caring for your pet’s teeth could lead to critical health issues like heart disease and kidney disease…and actually take years off your pet’s life.

I came across this antioxidant oral gel product called, Tooth to Tail, through my friend, Barb, whose cat had the worst breath. It was formulated by top veterinary and human dentists over the course of three years of scientific research and clinical trials. It is, apparently, the only dog breath freshener on the market that contains clinically proven antioxidant technology. And, it worked for Barb. All that sounded impressive to me, so I wanted to learn more.

What Causes Bad Dog Breath?

I think we can condense that into three words: Volatile Sulfur Compounds. Eww. Here’s how it happens:

• Bacteria and enzymes in the mouth break down food particles, oral cells, and other  proteins in the mouth.
• The breakdown of food, protein, and oral cells releases volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s)
• The sulfur in VSC’s is the same stuff that stinks in rotten eggs, skunk spray and even “intestinal gas.”

I had no idea. Did you? Although it’s pretty gross, it does explain the how’s and why’s. OK, so what is it about this product?

How Does Tooth to Tail Work?

Tooth to Tail has this unique, proprietary combination of the essential oils of menthol and thymol,  and polyphenolic antioxidants that neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. Polyphenolic antioxidants sound a bit scary, but here’s what it means: polyphenols are what are called secondary metabolites in plants, so this stuff is plant derived, not produced in a laboratory. Secondary metabolites mean their functions aren’t necessary for the plant to survive, but their absence, over time, will impair the plant. The National Institute of Health has done studies on the health benefits of polyphenols as antioxidants, and found they offer protection against the development of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases. So far, so good. I liked that this was a natural product, so I thought I’d give it a try on Sophie.

The Test

Before breakfast each morning, I would put a dollop of the gel on my finger and wipe it on the tip of her tongue. Soph is a bit sensitive (to everything), so she kind of made a face, but it wasn’t too bad; she dealt with it. On the third day, I really noticed a difference. That doggy breath smell was replaced by an “I just brushed, and I’m feeling fresh and clean!” one. And it wasn’t a chemical type of smell, either. It was an absence of bad smells. It was pretty cool. I’d never tried a breath freshener for dogs before, so I don’t have a basis for comparison against others. But I do know this one worked.

As with any new product you’re trying on your dog, start slow. Maybe try just a little bit instead of the full amount suggested on the instructions insert. If your dog seems fine with it over the course of a couple of days, keep adding a bit more until you’re up to the suggested dose. That’s what we did and it worked like a charm!

For those of you who want the nitty gritty of how this product works, read on.

Breaking It Down

Here’s the breakdown of the ingredients and how they all work in concert to wipe out bad breath:

• Pure polyhenols, derived from natural plant sources
• The polyphenols phloretin and ferulic acid are powerful antioxidants that work together in synergy
• Antioxidants and essential oils neutralize volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s) that cause bad breath odor
• These antioxidants adhere to oral tissue to keep continuously combatting VSC’s, unlike mass market brands like chew treats and water-based fresheners that only mask bad breath
• The antioxidants work in concert with naturally occurring salivary antioxidants

 What Are The Essential Oils & Polyphenols?

The Antioxidants:

• Ferulic acid is found in the seeds and leaves of plants and grasses such as wheat, rice and oats.  It’s extremely potent when it acts in concert with other antioxidants.
• Phloretin is extracted from apple leaves. It exhibits potent antioxidant activity and has been shown to inhibit several types of destructive enzymes.
• These antioxidants are from the family of polyphenols which have been shown to adhere to oral tissues creating a “time release” effect.
  

The Essential Oils: 

• Menthol is an organic compound obtained from peppermint oil and other mint oils. Research has shown peppermint oil to have cleansing and purifying properties.
• Thymol is a natural phenol compound derivative found in oil of thyme and other plants.  Thymol provides strong flavor and is part of a naturally occurring class of compounds known as biocides, with strong antimicrobial attributes. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of thymol, including powerful antioxidant properties.
• Menthol and thymol together have been shown to support cleansing and deodorizing effects.

• Polylysine inhibits yeast, mold and other detrimental micro-organisms.  It has an extremely good safety profile and can be found in various pet foods.
• Chlorophyllin is widely used for its deodorizing capabilities and contributes to freshening breath. It’s obtained by extracting chlorophyll from cool season grasses like rye and fescue.

Happy Teeth, Happy Dog

In Summary

I liked this product for the following reasons:

• The ingredients are derived from plants and essentials oils, so it’s natural-based
• The polyphenolic antioxidants have a protecting quality against disease
• The product worked after only three days (I think if you have a dog with really stinky breath, it may take a bit longer, but hang in  because 100% of the tested pets had improved breath)
• It was easy to give to Sophie. If you don’t want to put it on your finger, they include a wooden stick you can use to apply the gel to the tongue

If you want to try Tooth to Tail, you can purchase it here or go to www.ToothtoTail.com.

Until next time…