Can Raw Feeding Help Clean Your Dog’s Teeth? Exploring the Science and Benefits

Dental health is a crucial part of your dog’s overall well-being—and yet it’s often overlooked. While regular brushing and professional cleanings are essential, more dog owners are turning to raw feeding as part of their dog’s oral care routine. But can raw food really help clean teeth and support better dental health?

The answer is: yes, in part—but it’s not a silver bullet. Let’s explore how raw diets affect the mouth, especially when it comes to mechanical cleaning and the oral microbiome.

🦴 Natural Chewing = Natural Cleaning

One of the biggest benefits of raw feeding comes from the inclusion of raw meaty bones—like chicken necks, duck wings, or lamb ribs. When dogs chew on these bones, the physical action helps scrape plaque and tartar off their teeth, particularly along the back molars and gumline.

This kind of mechanical cleaning mimics what would happen in the wild. Unlike kibble, which crumbles and can stick to teeth, raw bones encourage gnawing, tearing, and chewing, all of which promote cleaner teeth and stronger gums.

⚠️ Always choose appropriate raw bones: never cooked (they can splinter), and avoid weight-bearing bones that are too hard, as they can fracture teeth.

🧫 Microbial Balance: The Hidden Key to Oral Health

Beyond mechanical cleaning, raw diets may offer another, more subtle benefit: supporting a healthier oral microbiome.

Your dog’s mouth is home to hundreds of bacterial species—some good, some harmful. In a healthy dog, these bacteria live in balance. But if conditions change—such as increased sugar in the diet, inflammation, or poor hygiene—harmful bacteria like Porphyromonas or Streptococcus can take over, leading to:

• Plaque buildup

• Gum disease

• Bad breath

• Infection that can spread to organs like the heart or kidneys
  

🥩 How Raw Diets Help:

• Low in starches: Unlike most kibble, which is rich in carbohydrates, raw diets typically contain minimal starch. Harmful bacteria feed on sugars, so reducing carbs may slow their growth and reduce acid production in the mouth.
  

• Natural enzymes: Raw meat contains enzymes and compounds that may help manage bacterial overgrowth, though more scientific research is needed.
  

• More chewing = more saliva: Chewing raw bones increases saliva flow, which naturally helps neutralize acids, flush out food particles, and maintain microbial balance.
  

🧼 Not a Substitute, But a Powerful Add-On

While raw feeding offers real oral health benefits, it’s not a complete replacement for regular dental care. Here’s what we still recommend:

• Schedule regular dental exams with our grooming department to monitor deeper issues

• Use our ultrasonic teeth cleaning service for non-invasive plaque removal
  

✅ Conclusion

Raw feeding—when done properly and safely—can absolutely help maintain cleaner teeth and a healthier mouth in dogs. It supports both physical cleaning through chewing and may promote a more balanced oral microbiome, which is essential for preventing dental disease long-term.

Combined with professional cleanings, a raw diet can be a valuable part of your dog’s dental care routine.