That number is not a scare tactic. It is the reality of what happens when plaque is left to build up unchecked.

Here is how it progresses. Plaque forms on your dog's teeth every single day. Within 24 to 72 hours, it begins to mineralise into tartar, the hard brown deposits you can see building up at the gum line. Left untreated, tartar causes gingivitis: red, swollen gums that bleed easily. From there, the disease moves deeper, breaking down the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place. At its most advanced, periodontal disease leads to tooth loss, chronic pain, and systemic infection. The bacteria responsible can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys and liver.

Untreated, periodontal disease can affect far more than just the mouth. The bacteria responsible can enter the bloodstream and contribute to heart, kidney and liver disease. Prevention is straightforward, and it does not have to mean a daily battle with a toothbrush.

The challenge is that dogs cannot tell us when their teeth hurt. Dr Kelly Halls sees this regularly in her clinic.

One case that stays with her: a Pomeranian who came in looking like he just needed a routine clean. X-rays told a different story. "The amount of bone that had been eaten away by that dental infection was absolutely devastating. So [the teeth] are still held on by the gum tissue, but there's no bone around it now, and that's incredibly painful for that dog." The dog lost several teeth that day.

Two weeks later, his owners noticed a transformation in his energy levels and playfulness. Dr Kelly puts it plainly: "It's so sad that a lot of people don't recognise these really slow, insidious chronic changes in dogs until we take away all of that infection. Dental disease makes a massive difference to a dog's health."

The good news is that prevention is straightforward, and it does not have to mean a daily battle with a toothbrush.

Regular home checks are one of the best things you can do for your dog's dental health. Here is what to look for:

Any one of these signs is worth taking seriously. Bad breath in particular is a direct signal of bacterial activity in the mouth, not just something dogs have. If you are noticing several of these signs together, book a vet check. Dental disease is almost always easier and cheaper to treat early.

The bacteria that live in your dog's mouth, the oral microbiome, are closely connected to the bacteria that live in their gut. When the gut microbiome is out of balance, often because of a high-starch, low-meat diet, it allows the wrong kinds of bacteria to flourish. Those bacteria contribute to inflammation and plaque formation at the gum line.

Dr Kelly explains the link directly:

This is why diet matters as much as brushing. A dog fed a diet high in carbohydrate and starch is feeding the bacteria that drive dental disease. As Dr Kelly puts it: "Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars & sugars encourage the wrong bacteria to grow in the mouth, and that's what we really don't want."

It is also the thinking behind the Bell & Bone Dental Topper, which uses a tribiotic blend of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to rebalance the gut microbiome and suppress the harmful bacteria before they reach the mouth. More on that below.

There are three main approaches to home dental care for dogs. They work best in combination, but even one done consistently makes a real difference.

1. Brushing

Daily brushing is the gold standard for dog dental care. A soft-bristled dog toothbrush used with an enzymatic dog toothpaste removes plaque mechanically before it has the chance to harden into tartar.

The key is building up slowly. Most dogs do not accept a toothbrush straightaway. Start by getting your dog comfortable with having their mouth handled, then introduce the toothpaste as a treat before moving to a brush.

2. Dental Treats and Chews

If your dog will not accept a toothbrush, you are not alone, and there are effective alternatives. Dental Treats work through two mechanisms: the chewing action creates a mechanical scrubbing effect on the tooth surface, while active ingredients in quality treats target the bacteria responsible for plaque. Given once daily, they are the most practical dental habit for most owners and dogs.

3. Dental Toppers

Dental Toppers are a liquid sprayed onto your dog's regular meal. No chewing required, no toothbrush required. Four sprays over any meal, once a day. As Dr Kelly explains: "The Dental Toppers support oral health with their tribiotic blend and oral actives." They are particularly well suited to dogs who will not accept treats or brushing, senior dogs with sensitive teeth, and as a second layer of daily dental support alongside Dental Sticks. As Dr Kelly notes: "You don't have to change their food, so you don't have to turn a fussy animal into an animal that doesn't like their food."

Dental Treats do more than keep a dog occupied. When a dog chews, the physical action of the treat moving against the tooth surface dislodges plaque before it has the chance to harden. In quality Dental Treats, that mechanical action is backed up by active ingredients that break down the bacterial biofilm responsible for plaque formation.

Dr Kelly highlights something many owners miss: 

The key word is daily. Plaque forms every day, which means dental care needs to happen every day to interrupt the cycle. As Dr Kelly puts it: "Every single day, it's so important for an oral health routine to be daily." One Dental Stick given consistently will do far more than a handful given sporadically.

Dental Treats are not a replacement for brushing. But for most households, they are the most realistic daily dental habit, and a well-formulated treat given once a day is genuinely effective at slowing plaque and tartar buildup.

Dr Kelly is clear on this: "One of the biggest mistakes we can make as dog parents is not using the right dental care... It's so important to look for a dental product that has proven ingredients that fight dental disease."

Not all dental treats are equal, and some are considerably worse than their packaging suggests. Here is how to read past the marketing.

As Dr Kelly explains: "It's very important to me that a dental product is healthy, is natural, made from natural ingredients, including meat first, but also really important that it is effective. It needs to have ingredients in it that have been proven to reduce dental plaque and tartar and improve the health of their mouth."

Bell & Bone Dental Sticks lead with real meat, contain no grain or filler, and pair a functional botanical with each flavour. Read our full ingredient guide for a complete breakdown of what goes into every product and why.

The Dental Topper is Bell & Bone's answer to a problem every vet knows well: the dogs who most need dental care are often the ones who will not chew a treat or tolerate a brush.

It is a liquid you spray directly onto your dog's regular meal, four sprays once a day, on any food including kibble, raw, freeze-dried or wet. There is no chewing, no brushing and no change to your dog's diet.

Bell & Bone was founded on the belief that dental care and good nutrition should not be mutually exclusive. Every product in the Bell & Bone range is grain and filler free, meat first, and formulated with active dental ingredients chosen for what they actually do.

Our Dental Sticks lead with real meat and contain two science-backed active ingredients: Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP), which reduces tartar buildup by up to 55% in published canine studies by trapping the calcium that lets plaque harden, and Zinc Sulphate, which slows the bacterial growth behind plaque and gum disease. Each flavour is then paired with mint and a functional botanical: Kangaroo with Turmeric, Salmon with Charcoal, Lamb with Manuka Honey, and Chicken with Seaweed. No grain, no starch, no artificial preservatives.

Our Tribiotic Dental Toppers take a different approach, using a tribiotic blend of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics that works through the gut to suppress the oral bacteria responsible for plaque and tartar, alongside oral actives including STPP.

Dr Kelly recommends Bell & Bone with confidence: "Bell & Bone is my first choice for recommendations for my patients with their Dental Sticks and Dental Toppers. Whether it's for my patients or my own dog, Bell & Bone is a brand that I trust."

Every Bell & Bone product is available online and in over 700 Petbarn and PetStock stores across Australia. For a full breakdown of every ingredient and why it is included, read our ingredient guide.