This daily routine will help you keep your dog’s teeth healthy

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 03. 18. 12:01

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Part of responsible pet ownership is paying attention to even the smallest changes in our pet’s behavior and taking action when something is wrong. Mars’ new, free, artificial intelligence-based app helps owners recognize early signs of oral problems. This is especially important, as oral diseases are one of the most common, yet often unnoticed, health problems in dogs. The app, available on the website or mobile, only requires a photo and answers to a few simple questions, so owners can get useful feedback on the condition of their dog’s teeth in seconds. The initiative aims to help identify problems early, so that owners can consult their veterinarians in a timely manner.

Responsible pet ownership means much more than just taking care of our pet’s basic needs every day. A dog’s well-being depends on the harmony of many small but important factors. Adequate exercise, breed-appropriate mental stimulation, a diet appropriate for age and health, regular veterinary check-ups, and conscious, preventative care all contribute to keeping every pet healthy and balanced.

In addition to all of this, there is one area that is discussed much less often than necessary, but deserves special attention: oral health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems among dogs – its signs can be recognized in four out of five dogs over the age of three. Despite this, owners’ awareness remains lacking. According to European research, less than 5 percent of dog owners think that their pet may have an oral problem.

From plaque to pain

Plaque can begin to accumulate on teeth just a few hours after cleaning, which can cause gingivitis within 48 hours. Gingivitis is the only fully reversible stage on the path to periodontal disease, however, if timely intervention is not carried out, the process can worsen. In this case, periodontitis may develop, which can damage the tissues supporting the teeth and, in the long term, lead to loosening of the teeth.

The power of a daily oral care routine

The good news is that periodontal disease can be prevented with consistent home care and regular veterinary support.

According to veterinary dental experts, the most effective defense against plaque is mechanical cleaning, i.e., ideally, daily brushing with a quality toothbrush.

In addition to brushing, specially developed dental care chews, such as PEDIGREE® DentaStix, can also contribute to reducing plaque and tartar formation, so they can be well integrated into a comprehensive home oral care routine.

It is also important for owners to have their dog’s teeth checked regularly by a veterinarian.

Help with early detection

Today, technology also supports owners in paying more attention to their pet’s oral health. In this spirit, Mars introduced the Pedigree® Toothscan, a free, artificial intelligence-based dental health check-up application, where you just need to upload a picture of your pet’s mouth, answer a few simple questions, and the result can be read within a few seconds. The tool aims to help identify visible signs of oral problems and encourage owners to discuss the results with their veterinarian.