The Good Day Guide / Teeth & breath
A better habit behind every hello.
Make daily dental care easier to understand and easier to talk about.
Fresh breath is only part of the story.
That nose-to-nose hello is one of the good parts of having a dog. Daily dental care is about the mouth behind it, too.
Regular brushing is the most effective home habit between professional dental cleanings. Persistent bad breath or discomfort is a reason for a dental check, not just a different flavor. The AVMA’s pet dental-care guide explains the basics.
Make a small habit easier to repeat.
Choose an approach with your veterinarian that your dog can comfortably learn.
Choose the moment
Pick a calm part of the day and prepare your dog’s own dental-care tools before you begin.
Keep it gentle
Introduce handling gradually. If your dog seems painful or distressed, stop and ask your veterinary team for help.
Keep the appointment
Home care belongs alongside dental examinations and any professional treatment your veterinarian recommends.
Add-ons have a supporting role.
A powder, water additive, or chew should fit the rest of the routine. It should not be sold as a way to avoid brushing, remove established dental disease, or skip a professional cleaning.
A product’s acceptance or certification applies to that particular product, not every item that uses a similar ingredient. Ask your veterinarian what is appropriate for your dog.
The everyday questions.
My dog will not accept a brush. What now?
Ask your veterinary team to demonstrate a gradual approach and discuss suitable alternatives. A refusal may be about unfamiliar handling, discomfort, or both; forcing the routine is not the answer.
Should I ignore bad breath if my dog still eats?
No. Eating does not replace a mouth examination. Mention ongoing bad breath, changed chewing, or visible mouth concerns to your veterinarian.
Build the habit around your dog.
Explore daily dental care, including Daily Dental and Dental Water. Read each product’s instructions and keep brushing and veterinary care in the plan.
This guide provides general education, not an assessment of your dog’s teeth or gums.
There’s more to their good day.
Keep getting to know them.
Last updated September 14, 2026.