Quick answer: Some dental chews genuinely reduce plaque and tartar – but only the ones clinically proven to (look for the VOHC seal). Even the best chews slow build-up rather than remove hardened tartar, so they work best alongside tooth-brushing and a regular professional scale and polish, not as a replacement.
Dental chews are one of the most popular ways owners try to look after their dog’s teeth – they’re easy, and most dogs love them. But do they actually work, or are they just a treat with good marketing? Here’s the honest, vet’s-eye view.
What dental chews actually do
A good dental chew works mechanically: as your dog gnaws, the texture scrapes soft plaque off the tooth surface before it hardens into tartar. Some also contain ingredients that slow plaque-forming bacteria. The key word is plaque – the soft film that builds up daily. Chews can help reduce that film, which in turn slows the formation of hard tartar (calculus).
What they cannot do is remove tartar that has already hardened, or clean below the gumline where the most damaging disease sits. No chew reaches there.
Do they work? Look for the VOHC seal
This is where most owners go wrong: many products claim “dental benefits” with no evidence behind them. The reliable shortcut is the VOHC seal — the Veterinary Oral Health Council awards its seal only to products shown in trials to reduce plaque or tartar. If a chew carries the VOHC seal, there’s real data behind the claim; if it doesn’t, treat the marketing with caution.
What to look for when buying
- The VOHC seal of acceptance.
- The right size for your dog – too small is a choking risk, too large won’t be chewed properly.
- Calorie content – chews add up; adjust meals so your dog doesn’t gain weight.
- Avoid very hard chews, bones, antlers and hooves. These are a leading cause of fractured teeth – a painful problem that often needs extraction. A good rule: if you can’t dent it with a fingernail or it wouldn’t be comfortable to tap on your knee, it’s too hard.
Chews are a helper, not a cure
Even with daily chews, plaque still hardens into tartar over time, especially below the gumline. Once that happens, the only fix is a professional dog teeth cleaning a thorough dental scale and polish under general anaesthesia. Think of chews and brushing as maintenance between professional cleans, not a substitute for them. If you’ve noticed signs of dental pain in dogs – bad breath, dropped food, red gums – chews won’t fix it; book a check.
How we help at AVH Animal Ark
At AVH Animal Ark Veterinary Group we’ll assess your dog’s teeth, advise on the right home-care routine, and perform a professional scale and polish when needed – using our iM3 GS Elite dental unit, under safe general anaesthesia with IV fluids and full monitoring. We’re at Springleaf and Tampines, open 7 days a week. A dog dental scale and polish starts from $550 (blood tests from $250), with a personalised quote after examination.
Frequently asked questions
Are dental chews enough to keep my dog’s teeth healthy?
They help, but no chew is enough on its own. Daily brushing plus regular professional cleans is the proven combination; chews are a useful extra.
How do I know a chew actually works?
Look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal – it means the product has trial data showing it reduces plaque or tartar.
Can dental chews replace a professional cleaning?
No. Chews slow plaque but can’t remove hardened tartar or clean below the gumline, which is where dental disease does its damage.
Are bones or antlers good for teeth?
We don’t recommend them — they’re a common cause of painful tooth fractures. Choose a softer, VOHC-accepted chew instead.
Medically reviewed by Dr Colin Chin, Veterinarian (Murdoch University, 2011) – special interest in anaesthesia and small-animal medicine; anchor veterinarian at our Tampines clinic. Read Dr Colin’s profile
Last reviewed: June 2026. This article is general information and not a substitute for a consultation with your vet.
References / Further reading
- Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) – accepted products list (VOHC seal)
- 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats – American Animal Hospital Association
- WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines – World Small Animal Veterinary Association
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