Beyond the brush: how Hill’s Dental Kibble technology supports periodontal health

As veterinary professionals, you are on the front lines of battling what is arguably the most common issue seen in practice: dental disease. In fact, dental disease is the most prevalent disease in dogs and cats; a staggering 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of periodontal disease by age 2^1,2.

While the gold standard of periodontal prevention remains daily brushing, we all know the reality of owner compliance. For clients, brushing is hard. Research shows that approximately a third to two-thirds of pet owners may be unwilling to brush their dog’s teeth daily³. However, dog food made especially for dental health was regarded to be important by 64% of owners³.

To bridge the gap between ideal home care and realistic owner habits, Hill’s has developed clinically proven “toothbrush-like” Dental Kibble technology. Present in Hill’s Vet Essentials Multi-Benefit + Dental range, this technology provides a simple and effective way to keep pets’ teeth clean and breath fresh.

Here is a closer look at how this technology works and the benefits it brings to your patients.

Periodontal disease moves rapidly. Plaque forms within 24 hours, calculus within 3 days and gingivitis begins as early as 2 weeks.

If left unchecked, the stages progress quickly:

Beyond local oral pain, we also need to consider the systemic consequences of periodontal disease. Bacteria can pass through damaged gum tissue and enter the bloodstream. Older pets and small breed dogs are especially at risk for dental disease. Small dogs are more likely to have overcrowded or misaligned teeth, making them more prone to dental disease⁴.

Standard dry kibble tends to shatter when a pet bites into it, offering little to no mechanical cleaning. Hill’s Dental Kibble Technology changes the mechanics of chewing through an innovative fibre matrix and a specifically designed larger kibble size.

Dental kibble technology has been the subject of 303 canine studies with >36,000 oral evaluations, and 173 feline studies with >16,000 oral evaluations.

The results of this rigorous testing show:

Vet Essentials Multi-Benefit + Dental is vet-exclusive nutrition with 5 key benefits, formulated to support pets’ dental health. In addition to clinically proven dental care, it features the S+OXSHIELD mark of reassurance on all adult foods that help support urinary health, alongside clinically proven antioxidant multivitamins C+E protect the immune system.

By recommending nutrition that works passively while the pet eats, veterinary teams can overcome the hurdle of home-care compliance, resulting in healthier mouths, fresher breath, and better overall systemic health for the patients in your care.