What is the Difference Between Dog Plaque and Tartar?

What’s dog plaque vs tartar and should these dental concerns get your pulse racing? Just how serious is dog tartar (also called dental calculus) and/or plaque on dog teeth? We know that teeth are all important to our dog’s health – just like ours. And, our canine friends aren’t called canines for nothing…

In this article, PD Insurance unpacks the answer to these toothy questions. Find out more about prevention, treatment and costs involved.

Dog plaque vs tartar

Dogs are prone to toothy problems just like we humans are. If these aren’t prevented or nipped in the bud conditions can quickly worsen and become painful, costly and at times, irreversible. Did you know PD’s Deluxe dog insurance and Deluxe cat insurance plans both include dental cover?

The best place to begin when preventing (or treating) any health issue is getting down to the nitty gritty of the problem. We need to know what’s dog plaque vs tartar and that includes what causes these pesky problems…

Let’s breakdown the difference between dog plaque vs tartar, one at a time:

Plaque on dog teeth

Let’s look at plaque on dog’s teeth first, for two reasons. Firstly, plaque develops first and isn’t as serious as dog tartar, and secondly, it’s something you can tackle at yourself at home.

Plaque develops daily on dog teeth – the same way it does on your or my teeth. This is just the natural build-up of bacteria that exists and accumulates in the mouth. These bacteria eat the food we eat, like sugars and carbs for example. That seems reasonable but the problem is that these little guys produce acids which are a tooth’s worst enemy.

Essentially plaque is like a natural liquid film that develops throughout the day in the mouth. It coats the teeth and gums and needs to be removed regularly. By brushing teeth, for example. 😁

Dog tartar

Dental calculus in dog teeth is also known as tartar. Tartar is kind of what plaque becomes when it grows up. Unlike the soft plaque that develops on dog teeth throughout the day, tartar is harder and more permanent. Once dog plaque turns to tartar it becomes like a thin layer of concrete on the teeth.

Sadly, this doesn’t take very long to happen. When plaque is left on the teeth it can develop into tartar in as little as 48 hours. The result is that tartar can discolour the teeth. But more seriously, it’s like a luxury condo for the bacteria that cause dental issues, creating the perfect breeding ground for them to proliferate rapidly.

This can lead to all sorts of toothy problems, which in turn, can cause heart and liver diseases once they enter the bloodstream.

What is the best way to prevent tartar in dogs?

Now that we know the difference between dog plaque vs tartar, what’s next? We also know that one leads to the other and that tartar is far more serious… So, naturally, the next best question is, what’s the best way to prevent tartar in dogs?

It’s simple. Provided you remove the plaque from dog teeth on a regular basis, you’ll be reducing the risk of tartar in dogs. That said, the foods we eat can still result in some tartar developing but at least you can mitigate the risk and reduce how much tartar develops.

That’s going to be good for your dog and your pocket in the long run because prevention is always the best option. Having pet dental insurance is also a good safety net for pets and pet parent’s pockets.

How to get plaque off dog teeth

Removing plaque off dog teeth is easy and you can do it without a vet’s help – it’s like brushing your own teeth! Well, we say easy, but you’ll definitely need your dog’s cooperation in letting you handle their mouth and teeth.

It’s best to get your dog used to you handling their mouth from when they’re a puppy. Sometimes (most times) they’ll need a bit of coaxing. A bit of peanut butter on your fingers for example (just make sure it’s free of xylitol because xylitol in dogs can be fatal).

You’ll need to get a dog friendly toothbrush and toothpaste then follow the steps we’ve outlined in our article on dog teeth. Dr Cath shows you how to get your dog used to handling their mouth in this PD Pet Care Vlog:

How to clean tartar off dog’s teeth

Once plaque forms dental calculus on dog teeth you can’t manage it at home. Like we humans rely on oral hygienists to get rid of tartar on our own teeth, your pooch will need a vet to do the equivalent at the vet clinic. This is done under general anaesthetic because no dog is going to allow that type of thing when they’re awake.

Some pet parents make sure their dog’s teeth are professionally cleaned this way at every routine vet visit. This can help protect your pup’s overall quality of life because healthy teeth mean better health overall.

Problems caused by plaque and tartar on dog teeth

The most obvious problems are that the teeth and gums can get damaged. But there are a whole host of health issues that can spring from plaque and tartar on dog teeth. Take a look:

• loss of tooth enamel
• Dental cavities
• Gingivitis (gum disease)
• Periodontal disease (when this migrates into the teeth and bone)
• Loose teeth
• liver problems
• kidney problems
• Heart problems
• Tooth abscess

Learn more about common pet dental problems and what’s covered by pet dental insurance.

Vet treatment costs for tartar removal

It’s a good idea to ask your vet to clean tartar AKA dental calculus on dog teeth every six to 12 months. If your breed is prone, then ask your vet if cleaning more often could be useful in prevention and management of their toothy grin.

While the cost of a pet dental clean varies from one practice to another, it can cost anywhere around $700. Remember, this cost can go a long way to saving you even bigger costs down the line. Not to mention saving your doggo from potential pain, loss of teeth, loss of appetite and impact to overall health and wellbeing.

Other ways to avoid dog plaque and tartar

Besides brushing there are several other lifestyle changes you can make to help keep your dog’s teeth free of plaque, and as a result, tartar.

• Dog breeds. Get to know your breed’s needs because some dog breeds are prone to dental problems. Like any health condition, knowing about it beforehand gives you time to research preventative care and budget for treatment costs.

• Feeding for health. It literally can’t be said enough – you are what you eat so pet nutrition can really help your dog or cat’s oral wellbeing.

• Dental chews. Doggy dental chews are great for dogs to gnash on. They love it and it helps reduce the buildup of tartar.

• Water additives. Talk to your vet about a recommended water additive to help prevent buildup of unwanted oral bacteria.

Also read about dog dental braces and how to look after cat teeth.

Get award winning pet dental insurance

Another great safety net is having pet dental insurance.

PD Insurance offers three award winning pet insurance plans. Choose between accident, accident and illness or dental cover which includes all three! For breeds prone to dental health issues this can really provide a soft landing in their time of need.

Get a quote on affordable, quality pet cover and get one or more months FREE!

Click below to start your quote.