How Good Nutrition Supports Your Dog’s Dental and Oral Health

When we think about dental health in dogs, brushing often takes centre stage, and rightly so. Regular brushing is still one of the most effective ways to manage the build-up that forms on teeth. But oral health isn’t just about teeth alone. The mouth is a living system, made up of gums, saliva, soft tissues, and the immune responses that protect them. Nutrition plays an important supporting role in keeping this system working as it should.

At Forthglade, we believe good health starts with good food so let’s explore how what we feed can support our dog’s dental and oral health.

Why The Food You Feed Matters

Different types of food influence how dogs eat and how their mouths function during meals.

Wet food naturally contributes moisture to the diet, supporting overall hydration and helping saliva function effectively. Saliva helps protect teeth and gums by neutralising acids and supporting the mouth’s natural defences.

Dry and cold-pressed foods on the other hand, tend to encourage more chewing. Chewing stimulates saliva flow and slows eating, giving saliva more time to interact with teeth and gums. Whilst no food replaces brushing, texture and eating behaviour can influence the oral environment over time.

Foods made with simple, natural ingredients tend to be easier for the body to recognise and utilise. When digestion works efficiently, nutrients that support oral tissues are more readily absorbed and saliva composition is better supported. This is one reason why complete, gently prepared foods can play a supportive role in oral health.

Nutrients that Support Teeth and Gums

Nutrition supports oral health in the same way it supports the rest of the body - by providing the building blocks that tissues need to stay healthy.

• High-quality protein supplies amino acids needed for tissue maintenance and repair, including the gums and oral lining.
• Calcium and phosphorus contribute to the structural integrity of teeth and the bone that supports them.
• Vitamin A and zinc are involved in maintaining the soft, protective tissues that line the gums and inside of the mouth.
• Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E support healthy immune responses in gums.

When these nutrients come from whole, minimally processed ingredients they are delivered in forms the body can readily use.

Ingredients that Support a Healthy Mouth

Some naturally derived ingredients included in treats, foods or supplements also support the oral environment.

Studies of dogs given small daily amounts of seaweed found that, over time, these dogs tend to develop less plaque and tartar build-up and have fresher breath compared to dogs not receiving it. The seaweed doesn’t work by scrubbing the teeth. Instead, it appears to influence the mouth environment from the inside, likely through changes in saliva and how minerals and bacteria interact on the teeth.

Herbs such as parsley and mint are traditionally used to support breath freshness and gum comfort, thanks to their aromatic compounds. Other herbs, including chamomile, have a long history of use in supporting soft tissue comfort.

Importantly, these ingredients are not a replacement for brushing or veterinary dental care. Instead, they form part of a broader approach that supports oral health from the inside out.

Stress, Eating and Oral Health

Stress can influence oral health in many ways.

When dogs are anxious or rushed during meals, saliva production may drop. Saliva plays a protective role in the mouth, helping to support teeth and gums, so thoughtful feeding routines and comfortable eating experiences are important.

Calm eating and chewing help the body settle into a more relaxed “rest and digest” state, supporting normal digestive function. When digestion works well, the body is better able to absorb and use the nutrients that help maintain healthy gums and the lining of the mouth.

Feeding at regular times, choosing foods your dog enjoys and avoiding rushed or stressful mealtimes can all support saliva flow, digestion, and overall mouth comfort. Nutrition, behaviour, and routine, work together more closely than many of us realise.

The Gut–Mouth Connection

The mouth and gut are home to communities of bacteria that play a role in everyday health. A varied, balanced and natural diet helps support a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn supports the immune system and overall balance in the body, including the mouth. When digestion is working well and the gut microbiome is supported, this can help maintain a healthier oral environment too. Offering complete, balanced nutrition and avoiding overly processed or sugary foods helps support this natural balance from mouth to gut.

Our Approach to Oral Health

Good nutrition supports oral health, but it doesn’t act alone. The most effective daily dental care routines combine several elements:

• Good quality, natural diet
• 1 daily scoop of Forthglade’s dental powder
• Daily toothbrushing
• A Forthglade dental stick to support good chewing habit

Good nutrition supports dental and oral health in subtle but important ways. It provides the nutrients needed to maintain healthy gums and the lining of the mouth; it supports saliva’s protective role and helps maintain a balanced oral environment. When those nutrients come from natural and thoughtfully prepared foods, they help support the mouth as a system, not just a set of teeth. When these foundations are in place, everyday measures such as brushing, opportunities to chew, and routine dental checks can work more effectively.

As owners, we can make thoughtful choices every day to support our dog’s oral health, from what goes into the bowl, to how meals are given, and the routines that encourage calm, comfortable eating.