Pet Oral Health Backed by Science: Why Daily Bacterial Control Matters

When it comes to our pets, fresh breath is more than a cosmetic concern — it’s often a sign of deeper oral health. Yet while many owners know about dental disease in cats and dogs, only a minority perform daily preventive care. Recent scientific studies shed light on why this matters — and why practical, bacteria-targeting solutions like Pet Oral Repair Gel can help bridge the gap.

What science tells us about oral disease in pets

Bad breath means more than you think

A study by Croft et al. investigated the effects of dental chews on dogs’ oral bacteria. They found that chews significantly reduced the levels of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) — the gases that cause bad breath — by lowering the amount of harmful bacteria in plaque and on the tongue.

In short: less bacteria → less bad breath → healthier gums.

While this study focused on chews, the underlying principle is universal: controlling bacteria is key to better breath and oral health — whether that’s through mechanical cleaning or antibacterial gels.

Hidden bacteria — even from humans

Yu et al. went further by performing genetic analysis on the dental plaque of dogs. They discovered something striking: not only do dogs carry bacteria known to cause oral disease, but some of these bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, can be transmitted from humans to dogs.

This highlights two important points:

• Pets live closely with us and share our microbiome more than we realize.
• Daily bacterial control isn’t just cosmetic — it’s about preventing real disease.

Why most owners still don’t do enough

You might expect that, knowing these risks, owners would brush their pets’ teeth daily. But a survey by Oskarsson et al. shows otherwise. While most cat owners knew about dental disease and its signs (bad breath, gingivitis, pain), only around 7% actually brushed their cats’ teeth daily or every other day.
The main reason? Many cats — and many dogs too — simply won’t tolerate brushing.

Veterinary professionals often recommend brushing, but as the study noted, there’s still a large gap between awareness and daily practice.

Science supports daily bacterial control — even without brushing

Collectively, these studies show:

• Bad breath is usually a bacterial problem — not just food smell
• Oral bacteria increase the risk of gingivitis, periodontitis, and pain
• Brushing works, but few pets accept it
• Alternative antibacterial methods are needed to keep bacterial load low

Where Pet Oral Repair Gel fits in

Pet Oral Repair Gel is designed to help fill this practical gap:

• Targets and reduces harmful oral bacteria that cause plaque and bad breath
• Can be used daily to complement or replace tooth brushing

By helping control bacteria, it aligns perfectly with what the science shows: that lower bacterial load means fresher breath, healthier gums, and happier pets.

Conclusion

Studies clearly show the risk of oral disease in pets and the critical role of daily bacterial control. Yet daily brushing is unrealistic for many owners.

Pet Oral Repair Gel offers a science-supported, easy-to-use alternative to help keep your pet’s mouth healthier — so you can protect their smile, comfort, and overall wellbeing.

References:

1. Croft, J.M., Patel, K.V., Inui, T. et al. Effectiveness of oral care interventions on malodour in dogs. BMC Vet Res 18, 164 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03267-8
2. Oskarsson, K., Puurtinen, L. A., & Penell, J. C. (2021). Dental Problems and Prophylactic Care in Cats—Knowledge and Perceptions among Swedish Cat Owners and Communication by Veterinary Care Staff. Animals, 11(9), 2571. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092571
3. Yu, J. S., Kim, M., Cho, I., Sim, Y., & Hwang, Y. S. (2024). Evidence Supporting Oral Hygiene Management by Owners through a Genetic Analysis of Dental Plaque Bacteria in Dogs. Veterinary Sciences, 11(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11020096