Dog Plaque vs. Tartar: What is the Exact Difference?

The difference between plaque and tartar in dogs is one of the most confusing topics in pet dental care. They are yucky dental problems that not only cause stinky breath but may also lead to serious dental diseases if left unchecked. Understanding these two dental terms can help you prevent dental problems in dogs down the road. In this blog, we will unravel the key difference between plaque and tartar to help you keep your dog’s teeth clean, healthy, and sparkling.

What Is Plaque?

Plaque is a soft and sticky coating on your dog’s teeth. It is a combination of bacteria, saliva, and food particles that generally gets accumulated on the teeth after a meal. Plaque is the main cause of bad breath in dogs, and if it goes untreated, it can also build up on your dog’s gum line, causing pain and inflammation.

What is Tartar?

Also known as calculus, tartar is the hardened version of plaque. If you don’t brush your dog’s teeth regularly, the plaque mixes with calcium and other minerals present in your dog’s saliva to harden and eventually turns into chalky tartar. Dog tartar appears as a yellowish deposition on the teeth and may lead to dental diseases.

Key Differences between Dog Tartar & Plaque

Now that you know what tartar and plaque mean, let us go through their major distinctions:

• • Formation: Plaque forms from food particles, saliva, and bacteria in your dog’s mouth, whereas tartar in dogs occurs due to the hardening of the deposited plaque.
  • Appearance: Plaque is a soft, pale yellowish film that builds up on your dog’s teeth. On the other hand, tartar or calculus appears as yellow or brown chalky spots.
  • Impact: Plaque generally causes bad breath in dogs, but it may also cause the inflammation of the gums. Tartar may lead to periodontal diseases, tooth pain, and tooth loss.
  • Diagnosis: While plaque is often not easily noticeable on the dog’s teeth, tartar can be easy to spot as it appears clearly as a dark and sturdy layer on their teeth and gums.

How to Get Rid of Plaque & Tartar in Dogs?

The gunk on your dog’s teeth causes all sorts of oral health problems. To get rid of these uncalled visitors called plaque and tartar, keep your dog’s teeth clean by regularly brushing them with a good dog toothbrush and toothpaste. You can also give them dog dental treats like Whimzees, Greenies, or Oravet that are specifically designed to remove plaque from your dog’s teeth. If you do not take care of your dog’s oral hygiene properly, the plaque turns into the stubborn tartar, which can only be removed through professional dental cleanings. If your dog has tartar, your vet will remove it by employing tools and instruments to perform scaling, which breaks it down for easy tartar dog teeth removal.

How to Prevent Plaque and Tartar in Dogs?

The most common cause of plaque and tartar in dogs is the lack of oral care. Here are a few ways to ensure good oral hygiene for your dog.

• • Brushing: Use an effective dog toothpaste and toothbrush to clean your dog’s teeth every day.
  • Dental toys: Encourage your dog to play with dental toys or bones that are designed with ridges and grooves to remove plaque as they play.
  • Dental treats: Giving one daily dental chew treat helps prevent plaque on dog teeth. These treats loosen and dislodge plaque from the teeth easily.
  • Dental dog food: Feeding dental food kibbles like Hill’s t/d Dental Food that have rough surfaces removes plaque through mechanical action while chewing. 
  • Dental supplements: Made with ingredients like seaweed, mint, green tea, etc., dog dental supplements tackle bad breath, plaque, and tartar effectively.
  • Professional cleaning: Get your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally once a year to eliminate any hidden tartar or plaque.
  • Veterinary check-ups: Regular vet visits help detect any underlying dental conditions at their early onset and prevent serious problems.

Final Words

Plaque and tartar are culprits that silently impact your dog’s overall health. Follow a good dental care routine for your dog to prevent plaque from turning into tartar. Keep your dog’s pearly whites safe from these serious troublemakers and ensure their overall well-being.