If you’ve been on my blog for a while you might have seen me cover doggy toothpaste and dental care a few times. If not, a quick refresher:
Those of us with small dogs need to be especially diligent about our dog’s teeth. The smaller the dog, the smaller the mouth, and the more prone they will be to dental issues due to overcrowding.
I’ve tried countless dog toothpastes, and until now the only one that gave us noticeable improvements was Virbac, which I’ve been using since my childhood dog. And it hasn’t changed in nearly two decades.
Virbac is pretty good but it still comes in this metal tube that twists, gets rusty, and develops mold. I’ve never actually finished a tube of that stuff before it became unusable.
And that’s super frustrating when you have a small dog who gets loads of new plaque after just one or two missed brushings.
So you can imagine my excitement when a Petsmile rep reached out to me about writing a review for their dog toothpaste, which has been clinically tested and approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
And, and, ANDDDDDD…
You don’t even have to brush with it. It’s a “no-brush” formula. It works even if you just apply it to your dog’s teeth without brushing.
They still recommend brushing to remove food particles for best results.
When I’m super tired and don’t feel like brushing their teeth, I’m glad that I can just dab some onto the surfaces of their teeth and they’ll still benefit from it.
How Does Petsmile work?
Before I dive into how this doggy toothpaste works, let’s get to know what’s going on in our dog’s mouths.
After dogs (and humans!) eat, the bacteria in the mouth break down carbohydrates from the foods we eat, and acids are created as a waste product.
To protect the enamel from acidic waste products, a clear film made up of proteins, called pellicle is formed on each tooth. This happens within minutes after eating.
The pellicle’s job is to protect the tooth from acidic waste products, and it also forms a barrier between our teeth and the bacteria that cause plaque buildup.
This is both good and bad. The pellicle naturally protects our teeth, but bacteria latches onto it, leading to the formation of plaque, the sticky biofilm that can harden into tartar if not removed.
Most human and dog toothpastes contain silica, an abrasive component that partially removes the pellicle but also scrubs at the enamel, which can lead to sensitivity over time.
That’s why humans (and sometimes, dogs too) go to our dentist – to completely remove the pellicle for a thorough cleaning.
Petsmile contains something called Calprox®, an encapsulated form of calcium peroxide and minerals.
Calprox® dissolves the pellicle, remineralizes the enamel, and prevents bacteria from sticking to the tooth.
Calprox® also the key ingredient in the brand’s human toothpaste called Supersmile – yes, they’re originally a human dental brand – which I’m super curious about. I haven’t tried it yet, but the fact that this is the only dog toothpaste that’s actually made by a dentist – rather than just a minty pasty treat – is seriously intriguing info.
Why Petsmile is VOHC Approved
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has a protocol for how a product must be clinically tested before it can earn a seal of approval.
When tested Petsmile showed a 62% greater reduction in plaque and a 28% greater reduction in gingivitis than the control toothpaste.
Currently, Petsmile is the only dog toothpaste on the VOHC approved dog dental products list.
Did Petsmile Work for Us?
We’ve been using Petsmile almost nightly for around six weeks.
I can notice a big difference in Matilda’s breath when I forget to use it.
Regrettably I didn’t take any “before” photos because I didn’t expect much in terms of results. Matilda is due for a professional cleaning, so she has some visible tartar, but I’m surprised at how little there is. I remember her teeth being worse before we started using Petsmile, but I don’t have any photos to compare.
Cow had a dental cleaning a few months ago, and her teeth are still spotless. However, she’s not as prone to tartar as Matilda.
Overall, I’m impressed with the results that I can see, the improved, fresher breath, and also how receptive my dogs are to the taste.
When I’m too tired to brush, I can put a little bit of Petsmile on the brush or even my finger and let them lick it off. They’re wild about the London broil flavor.
The Petsmile Toothbrush
Another thing that’s been keeping me up at night for years – yes, I’m obsessed with my dog’s teeth – is the fact that it’s so hard to find a toothbrush that fits in Matilda’s tiny mouth. I’ve tried child toothbrushes, and they’re too big, as well as a Japanese hamster toothbrush, which is better but doesn’t hold much toothpaste – and I fell in love with the Petsmile brush.
I actually use the bigger side for Cow, and the smaller side for Matilda. It’s like it was designed for us.
Okay, so nobody in my life understands how excited I am about Petsmile’s toothbrush and toothpaste. I know it’s weird. But I know on some level, my readers get it. Poor dental health in dogs means bacteria that can hurt their whole body, and finally finding the right solution can hopefully add more healthy years onto their life.
Seriously. You have to try Petsmile.
Ready to Try Petsmile?
You can get Petsmile on Amazon (we love and recommend the London Broil flavor) or you can try your luck at this month’s giveaway!
We have 5 Large size dental kits to give away, just enter below for a chance to win! Five winners will be drawn on September 23, 2022. USA only, must be 18 or older to enter.
She also uses her pet copywriting business to make sure the best pet products and services get found online through catchy copy and fun, informative blog posts. She also provides product description writing services for ecommerce companies.
As a dog mom to Matilda and Cow, she spends most of her days taking long walks and practicing new tricks, and most nights trying to make the best of a very modest portion of her bed.
You’ll also find her baking bread and making homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.
Lindsay Pevny
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