Feeding your dog the proper nutrition helps all tissues, including gums, repair themselves; it also helps your dog maintain healthy teeth. A raw diet without preservatives or carbohydrates helps prevent bacterial and plaque buildup. Fruits and veggies are a great snack that will help keep oral membranes healthy. Raw bones scrape tartar off the teeth, but never give your dog cooked bones because these splinter after cooking and can cause injury.

While veterinarians once believed that eating canned food contributed to dental disease, a study in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry found little difference between commercial dry and moist foods.

Treats and Teeth

Contrary to popular belief, most hard dog biscuits do little to keep the teeth clean. While they may give your dog something to keep him busy and exercise his jaw muscles, they don't remove tartar and may even contribute to tartar buildup when tiny bits of biscuit remain lodged at the gum line or between teeth.

Antioxidant Help

The following antioxidants give your dog's teeth a boost:

• Bilberry

• Coenzyme Q10

• Ester-C

• Gingko biloba

• Grape seed extract

• Lactoferrin

• Minerals: selenium, manganese, and zinc

• N-acetylcysteine

• Vitamins A, B, C, and E