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Practical, evidence-based tools for vets and owners
By two years of age, 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease, yet many owners delay dental cleaning due to cost, anaesthesia concerns, or lack of awareness1,2. This highlights the importance of practical, effective home care.
A 2024 Journal of Veterinary Dentistry study provides strong evidence for two at-home products: VeggieDent FR3SH dental chews (VDF) and Aquadent FR3SH water additive (ADF). Used daily, they significantly improved canine oral health – even without prior professional cleaning1.
Study Summary
This randomised controlled trial assessed six oral hygiene protocols in 125 healthy dogs with no recent dental procedures. From weeks 8 to 16, dogs were assigned to one of seven groups:
1. No oral hygiene (Control)
2. Brushing every other day using toothbrush and toothpaste with proven efficacy on oral bacteria (brushing)
3. Daily VDF
4. Daily ADF
5. Weekly brushing + daily VDF
6. Weekly brushing + daily ADF
7. Daily VDF + daily ADF
Periodontal health status and dental deposits were evaluated at Day 0, Week 8 and Week 16.
Key Findings
All treatment groups showed reduced plaque and tartar at 16 weeks compared to control.
However, only two combinations improved overall periodontal health:
• Weekly brushing + daily ADF
• Daily VDF + daily ADF
These findings support the role of home dental care – especially for prevention and maintenance between professional cleanings.
Brushing: Best in Theory, Hard in Practice
Daily brushing is the gold standard, but in practice, compliance is low—even with veterinary guidance. This study showed that practical options like chews and water additives can outperform inconsistent brushing. The VDF + ADF combination offers an evidence-backed alternative when daily brushing isn’t realistic.
Product Highlights
• VeggieDent FR3SH: VOHC Seal of Acceptance to help control plaque and tartar; owner recommended for breath improvement7.
• Aquadent FR3SH: A palatable, easy-to-use water additive to help control plaque.
Both feature FR3SH Technology:
• Pomegranate (antioxidant,
anti-plaque3,4)
• Erythritol (oral freshness5)
• Inulin (prebiotic support2,6)
Clinical Takeaways
✔ Be realistic – Recommend what owners can stick to.
✔ Promote proven combinations – VeggieDent FR3SH and Aquadent FR3SH significantly improved periodontal health.
✔ Start early – Preventive care in healthy dogs is key.
✔ Personalise – Tailor dental plans to lifestyle and pet temperament.
Conclusion
This study supports what many clinics already observe: while brushing is best, consistent use of a proven chew and water additive can significantly benefit dogs’ oral health.
When brushing isn’t practical, VeggieDent FR3SH and Aquadent FR3SH aren’t a fallback—they’re an effective, evidence-based approach to managing dental health.
References:
1. Gawor J, Jank M, Harvey CE, Nicolas CS. Effectiveness of Dental Homecare Protocols in Unscaled Dogs. J Vet Dent. 2025;42(3):176-181
2. Niemiec BA. Periodontal disease. Top Companion Anim Med. 2008;23:72–80.
3. Menezes SM, Cordeiro LN, Viana GS. Punica granatum (pomegranate) extract is active against dental plaque. J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(2):79-92.
4. Viana GSB, Menezes SMS, Cordeiro LN, Matos FJA. Biological effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), especially its antibacterial actions, against microorganisms present in
the dental plaque and other infectious processes. In: Watson RR, Preedy VR, eds. Bioactive Foods in Promoting Health: Fruits and Vegetables. London: Academic Press; 2010:459-478.
5. De Cock, P et al. 2016. Erythritol is more effective than xylitol and sorbitol in managing oral health endpoints. Int. J. Dent. 2016. 2016:9868421.
6. Flickinger EA, Schreijen EMWC, Patil AR, et al. Nutrient digestibilities, microbial populations, and protein catabolites as affected by fructan supplementation of dog diets. J Anim Sci. 2003;81:2008–2018.
7. Chala V, Chaix G, Navarro C, Espuna G. Evaluation of breath freshening effect in dogs following chew administration: an open field trial. Voorsjaardagen congress, The Hague, NL, April 2018.
