What's hiding in your dog's mouth
Paid content written and published by PawSups, maker of PawSups Dental Chews.
DOG HEALTH
What's hiding in your dog's mouth, and why it matters far beyond the teeth
Plaque starts coming back within about 24 hours. Left alone, it hardens, inflames the gums, and veterinary groups link advanced gum disease to problems elsewhere in the body. Here's what to watch for, and the simple daily solution we found.
By the PawSups team · Reviewed by Dr. Linda Lewis, DVM, licensed in 3 different states (NH, MA, ME), veterinary advisor at PawSups.
Reviewed by Dr. Linda Lewis for veterinary and nutritional accuracy prior to publication · 7 min read
In a study of 1,350 dogs, tartar was heaviest on the upper back teeth, the big ones near the cheek (Harvey, 1994).
Try this tonight: a 10-second look at your dog's back teeth
When your dog is relaxed, gently lift the upper lip at the corner of the mouth. Look past the long, pointed fang to the big teeth near the cheek, and check the line where each tooth meets the gum.
A yellow or brown crust along the gumline? A thin red line next to it? A smell that makes you pull back? Those are signs of dental disease, the most common health problem veterinarians see in dogs (WSAVA). In 2023, 73% of dogs seen at Banfield Pet Hospital were diagnosed with a dental issue (Banfield, 2024).
And what you can see is only the beginning.
It starts with plaque, and plaque never takes a day off
A sticky film of plaque, full of bacteria, starts to form on clean teeth.
Plaque left in place begins to harden into tartar, which takes a professional cleaning to remove.
The gums can turn red and inflamed. This is gingivitis.
The gums pull away, the bone that holds the teeth is slowly lost, and teeth become loose and painful. In the end they can fall out or need to be pulled.
Sources: WSAVA 2020 Global Dental Guidelines; Merck Veterinary Manual; VCA; AVDC.
Much of this happens below the gumline, where you can't see it (AVDC). It's easy to miss: in a US study of 127 dogs, a routine awake exam found gum disease in 68% of them, while a full exam under anesthesia found it in 87% (Wallis, 2024).
The early stage, red and irritated gums, is the only one that can be fully reversed, and it can settle down within days once plaque is kept under control every day (WSAVA). Once the bone that holds the teeth is lost, it doesn't come back on its own (Merck Veterinary Manual).
Your dog probably won't tell you it hurts
Dogs often hide mouth pain (AAHA). Many keep eating even when their mouth hurts, so a normal appetite doesn't prove a healthy mouth (WSAVA). By the time you notice loose teeth or strong breath, gum disease has usually been at work below the gumline for a while (AVDC; Cornell).
Signs to watch for, according to the AVMA
Bad breath
Broken or loose teeth
Extra teeth, or baby teeth that never fell out
Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food
Eating less, or refusing food
Pain in or around the mouth
Bleeding from the mouth
Swelling around the mouth
Owners often describe the same surprise. Once their dog's dental problems were treated, the dog seemed happier and more playful. They hadn't realized how much it hurt.
PawSups Dental Chews
One soft chew a day, made to support clean teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath.
90-day money-back guarantee (see terms) · Free US shipping
What starts in the mouth may not stay there
Veterinarians take gum disease seriously for reasons that go far beyond teeth. The WSAVA global dental guidelines list heart, kidney, liver and lung disease among the conditions linked to it (WSAVA, 2020).
In a study of nearly 60,000 dogs with gum disease, those at the most advanced stage were about 6 times as likely to be diagnosed with endocarditis, an infection of the heart's lining and valves, as dogs without gum disease (Glickman, 2009).
In more than 160,000 dogs with gum disease, the more advanced it was, the higher the rate of chronic kidney disease: up to 2.7 times that of dogs without gum disease (Glickman, 2011).
A smaller study of 44 small poodles found the same pattern: more gum disease, more changes in the heart valves, liver and kidneys (Pavlica, 2008).
And there's one more place the mouth connects to, with every swallow.
Your dog's mouth is the front door to the gut
Your dog swallows all day long. Saliva, food and the bacteria that live in the mouth all travel on into the digestive tract.
Scientists call the link between the two the "oral-gut axis." In people, bacteria from the mouth regularly travel to the gut (Schmidt, 2019). In mice, swallowed gum-disease bacteria changed the balance of bacteria in the gut (Arimatsu, 2014; Kitamoto, 2020). In dogs, this research has only just begun.
And the gut matters. Your dog's gut bacteria help with digestion, help protect against harmful germs and help train the immune system (Pilla & Suchodolski, 2020; Merck Veterinary Manual).
Signs your dog's gut may be struggling
Frequent gas
Loose or irregular stools
Less appetite than usual
Vomiting or a sensitive stomach
Often, you don't even notice
That's why, when we set out to make a daily dental chew, we didn't want one that stops at the teeth.
PawSups Dental Chews
The easy daily habit we made for your dog: one soft chew a day.
90-day money-back guarantee (see terms) · Free US shipping
Some dogs are at much higher risk
Small dogs. In more than 3 million US veterinary records, extra-small breeds were up to 5 times as likely to be diagnosed with gum disease as giant breeds (Wallis, 2021).
Popular breeds. At Banfield, Dachshunds (85%), Yorkshire Terriers (80%), Shih Tzus (79%) and Maltese (79%) had the highest rates of dental disease among popular breeds (Banfield, 2016).
Older dogs. Risk also rises with age, with extra weight, and the longer it has been since the last professional cleaning (Wallis, 2021).
In small breeds, severe gum disease can weaken the lower jaw until it breaks, sometimes while simply eating (WSAVA; Merck Veterinary Manual).
The cost of waiting
Once tartar and gum disease have set in, the next step is a professional cleaning under anesthesia. A routine cleaning commonly costs a few hundred dollars (PetMD, 2025). Treating advanced gum disease can run into four figures: one pet insurer's 2024–2025 claims for gum disease averaged about $1,050 (Spot Pet Insurance, 2025).
That's why veterinary groups stress daily home care between visits (AAHA). Soft, day-old plaque is the easiest stage to stay ahead of.
The easiest step starts today
PawSups Dental Chews: 150 soft chews per tub, about 5 months for one dog.
90-day money-back guarantee (see terms) · Free US shipping · No subscription
The good news: plaque is a daily problem, so daily care makes the difference
By the PawSups team · Reviewed by Dr. Linda Lewis, DVM, licensed in 3 different states (NH, MA, ME), veterinary advisor at PawSups.
"Most of the dental problems I treat started as plaque nobody noticed. The owners who do best make daily care a habit their dog actually enjoys."
Gum disease starts the same way in every dog: with a film of plaque that comes back every day. For the first couple of days, that plaque is still soft (Merck). That's the window where daily home care counts, along with your veterinarian's regular checkups (AAHA).
So we set out to make the daily part as easy as giving a treat.
The solution we found: PawSups Dental Chews
One soft chew a day, made to support clean teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath. Every chew also contains a probiotic blend and flaxseed.
We're dog people first. PawSups began with one simple goal: helping dogs live healthier, happier lives. We wanted a daily dental habit that feels like a treat, not a chore.
Teeth and gums
With brown algae, studied in dogs for plaque and tartar.
Fresh breath
With caffeine-free green tea, studied for the compounds behind bad breath.
The gut
Contains a probiotic blend and flaxseed. 2 billion CFU per serving, clinically studied probiotic strains shown to support healthier digestion and more consistent stools in dogs.
One a day
Soft and easy to chew. 150 chews, about 5 months per tub.
90-Day Happy Mouth Guarantee, money back · Free US shipping · One-time purchase, no subscription
What's inside every chew
Five ingredients in one soft chew: three for the mouth, plus a probiotic blend and flaxseed.
Every ingredient is printed on the tub, so you can check them on your own.
Questions owners ask Dr. Lewis
Dr. Linda Lewis. Her answers are general guidance. Your own veterinarian knows your dog best.
Why do you care so much about a dog's mouth?
"Because so much starts there quietly. Gum disease is the most common problem I see in adult dogs, and most of it hides below the gumline. Daily care is the simplest thing an owner can do about it."
Will it upset my dog's stomach?
Any new food can take a little getting used to, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs. That’s exactly why we designed our blend to be gentle from the start, with carefully selected ingredients that support digestion rather than overwhelm it.
We still recommend introducing the chew gradually and keeping an eye on your dog for the first few days. Every ingredient is clearly listed on the tub, so you can review the full formula yourself or discuss it with your veterinarian.
If your dog does experience vomiting, loose stools, or anything unusual, stop use and contact your veterinarian.
My dog walks away from dental treats. What if she won't eat it?
It can always take a dog a little time to get used to something new, but in our experience, that’s rarely an issue. Most dogs take to the chews right away, especially when offered before dinner or as a reward after a walk.
If your dog still won't take it, you can get your money back under our 90-Day Happy Mouth Guarantee.
Is it right for puppies, seniors, or dogs on medication?
"For puppies, follow the label. Many older dogs do well with a soft chew. If your dog takes medication or has a health condition, ask your own veterinarian before starting anything new, including this."
Dr. Linda Lewis, DVM, licensed in 3 different states (NH, MA, ME), veterinary advisor at PawSups.
Choose your PawSups supply
One tub is about five months for one dog under 80 lbs. The bigger bundles are for stocking up, or for homes with more than one dog.
150 chews · About 5 months for one dog under 80 lbs
450 chews · $19.98 per tub · About 7 months for two dogs under 80 lbs, or about 15 months for one
+2
2 more tubs than the 3-tub bundle, for $20 more · 750 chews plus a Mystery Toy · $15.99 per tub · About 12 months for two dogs under 80 lbs, or about 2 years for one
Free US shipping · One-time purchase, no subscription · Ships within 2 business days
Your order helps another dog, too. We work with carefully chosen shelters and donate meals, treats, and toys to dogs still waiting for a home.
Not right for your dog? Email us within 90 days of delivery for a full refund.
The 90-Day Happy Mouth Guarantee · Full terms ↓
The 90-Day Happy Mouth Guarantee: your money back if it isn't right for your dog
If PawSups isn't right for your dog, email us at info@TryPawSups.com within 90 days of delivery. That includes a dog who simply won't eat it. We'll refund the full purchase price.
Why offer this? Because trying something new for your dog shouldn't be a gamble. If it isn't right, you get your money back.
Try PawSups risk-freeYour questions, answered
What exactly is in it?
The featured ingredients are caffeine-free green tea, enzymes, brown algae, flaxseed and a probiotic mixture. Full ingredient panel with amounts and calories per chew: see the product label.
How PawSups started at a dog shelter in New Hampshire
PawSups began almost 20 years ago, when a small group of dog lovers started volunteering together at Maple Haven Dog Shelter in New Hampshire. There was no brand and no product, just people spending their free time feeding dogs, cleaning kennels, walking nervous rescues and helping abandoned dogs feel safe again.
Around 2007, that experience sparked an idea: what if everyday dog care could be simpler, while also giving something back to the dogs still waiting for a home? That idea became PawSups.
Two of the original founders still return to the shelter several times a year, to help with supply drives and spend time with long-term shelter dogs.
Today we make simple products that fit naturally into a dog’s daily routine. Our chews are made in the USA, and when we seek veterinary input, we work with licensed veterinary professionals.
Every order helps another dog
At the end of every month, we count qualifying orders and donate food, treats, toys and other essentials to carefully chosen dog shelters.
One donated meal is about 350 grams of dry dog food. The Mystery Toy depends on what shelters can use most, from snack bones and ropes to chew and enrichment toys. Donations currently go to shelters including Maple Haven Dog Shelter in New Hampshire, with more added through the year. Totals are recorded monthly, with receipts kept for every donation round.
So far, the PawSups community has helped provide more than 2,400 meals and hundreds of toys to shelter dogs, and that number keeps growing with every order.
Because when you take care of your dog with PawSups, we want another dog to feel a little of that care too.
Plaque comes back tomorrow. Start the daily habit today
One soft chew a day, made to support clean teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath, with a probiotic blend in every chew. Backed by our 90-Day Happy Mouth Guarantee (see terms).
90-Day Happy Mouth Guarantee, money back (see terms) · Free US shipping · One-time purchase, no subscription
Care statement
PawSups Dental Chews are a daily soft chew for dogs, made to support oral health alongside regular veterinary checkups. They are not a treatment for any health condition and do not replace veterinary care. If your dog has red, swollen or bleeding gums, loose teeth or severe bad breath, see your veterinarian. For dogs only. Keep out of reach of children. Follow the feeding directions for your dog's weight.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Linda Lewis, DVM, licensed in 3 different states (NH, MA, ME), veterinary advisor at PawSups. Her answers are general guidance. Your own veterinarian knows your dog best.
Sources: WSAVA 2020 Global Dental Guidelines; AAHA 2019 Dental Care Guidelines; AVMA; AVDC; Merck Veterinary Manual; VCA Animal Hospitals; Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine; Banfield Pet Hospital, 2016 and 2024; Wallis et al., 2021 and 2024; Glickman et al., 2009 and 2011; Pavlica et al., 2008; Harvey et al., 1994; Culham & Rawlings, 1998; Schmidt et al., 2019; Arimatsu et al., 2014; Kitamoto et al., 2020; Pilla & Suchodolski, 2020; Gawor et al., 2018; Ohira et al., 2025; PetMD, 2025; Spot Pet Insurance, 2025.
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