The oral microbiome in dogs refers to the diverse community of microorganisms that reside in the mouth, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The complex ecosystem is crucial in maintaining oral health and overall well-being. The composition of the canine oral microbiome includes various species of bacteria, both beneficial and potentially harmful, such as Porphyromonas, Actinomyces, Streptococcus, and Neisseria. Maintaining a balance between these microorganisms is essential for oral health. 

A balanced oral microbiome is crucial for preventing periodontal disease, a common and serious condition in dogs. Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation and can lead to tooth loss and systemic health issues.

The oral microbiome in dogs is a complex and vital part of their overall health, influencing various aspects of disease prevention. The canine oral microbiome consists of a diverse array of bacterial species, many unique to dogs and not shared with humans. This microbiome includes taxa from multiple species, such as Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Fusobacteria. The oral microbiome of dogs is distinct and diverse, with significant differences in bacterial populations between different oral habitats, such as supragingival and subgingival plaque, saliva, and mucosal surfaces.

A balanced oral microbiome is crucial for preventing periodontal disease, a common and serious condition in dogs. Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation and can lead to tooth loss and systemic health issues. Raw meaty bones, natural chews made from animal parts such as feet, ears, and tracheas, and other oral health interventions can positively shift the oral microbiota, reducing pathogenic bacteria and promoting beneficial species. These interventions have been shown to decrease plaque, calculus, and halitosis.

Monitoring changes in the oral microbiome can provide insights into the early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal and other oral diseases in dogs. Probiotics, such as certain strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, show promise in managing oral health by reducing pathogenic bacteria without causing systemic adverse effects.

The oral microbiome in dogs serves critical functions, including acting as a protective barrier against pathogens, modulating immune responses, aiding in the initial digestion of food, and maintaining a balanced oral environment. These functions are essential for preventing dental diseases and supporting dogs' overall health and well-being.

The oral microbiome acts as a protective barrier against pathogenic microorganisms. Beneficial bacteria in the mouth help to inhibit the growth and colonization of harmful bacteria that can cause dental diseases such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and oral infections. This protective role is vital in preventing the onset of dental issues that can lead to more severe health problems.

The oral microbiome plays a significant role in modulating the immune system. It interacts with the dog's immune responses, helping to prevent excessive inflammation and maintaining a balanced immune reaction. This interaction ensures that the immune system effectively deals with pathogens without causing unnecessary damage to the body's tissues.

The oral microbiome also contributes to maintaining a balanced environment within the mouth. It helps regulate the pH levels, preventing conditions that could favor the growth of harmful bacteria. By keeping this balance, the oral microbiome supports a healthy oral environment that is less susceptible to infections and diseases.

The Importance of a Balanced Oral Microbiome

An imbalance in the oral microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to dental issues such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and bad breath. Oral health is closely linked to overall health; pathogens from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect other organs, potentially leading to conditions such as endocarditis, kidney disease, and respiratory infections.

Several factors influence the oral microbiome in dogs. Diet plays a significant role, with the type of food—whether commercial pet food or a raw diet—affecting the microbiome's composition. Regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing teeth and professional dental cleanings, help maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms. Additionally, underlying health conditions, medications, and age can impact the microbiome's composition and stability.

Understanding the oral microbiome in dogs is crucial for developing effective strategies to promote oral and systemic health. Regular, thorough veterinary oral examinations, proper oral hygiene, and a balanced diet are critical components in maintaining a healthy oral microbiome for dogs.

The Negative Impact of Kibble on the Oral Microbiome

Kibble is an ultra-processed food that contains at least 50% carbohydrates, including simple sugars. Many commercially available dental chews designed to include hard ridges are composed of the same carbohydrates used in kibble. The accumulation of the excess carbohydrates and sugars on the teeth and gum line and the lack of amylase in the dog's saliva create a perfect environment for bacteria growth, resulting in plaque formation.

Most veterinarians recommend that dogs be fed dry kibble for optimal oral health in dogs. However, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80 percent of dogs show signs of oral disease by the time they are three years old. Kibble does not thoroughly clean the teeth, especially the areas most prone to plaque accumulation and periodontal disease, such as the gum line and interdental spaces. As a result, plaque can persist and lead to periodontal disease.

Not only does kibble fail to clean teeth, but it can actually contribute to the problem due to the high level of carbohydrates and the processing involved in the manufacturing of kibble. Due to the prolonged high heating of the ingredients,  AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) and HCAs (Heterocyclic Amines), which are pro-inflammatory and even carcinogenic, are created in kibble. Chronic inflammation throughout the body, including in the oral cavity, can result from consuming ultra-processed foods like kibble. Commercial dental chews usually comprise the same carbohydrates and fillers found in kibble, making them ineffective for scraping teeth.

The Best Diet to Support the Oral Microbiome

A fresh diet comprising raw meaty bones, muscle meat, secreting organs, seafood, and fiber will provide the nutrients needed to balance and maintain the oral microbiome. Bones, both edible and recreational, offer a natural option for teeth cleaning as the dog uses all edges of the teeth to gnaw and crunch through the bone. 

The Real Ancestral 6X Diet™  consists of:

Aside from the nutritional benefits of raw meaty bones, they provide natural teeth and gum cleaning, exercises for your dog's jaw, and mental stimulation. Raw, meaty bones to add to your dog's bowl may include beef short ribs, pork ribs, duck feet, chicken legs, chicken feet, chicken necks, duck necks, and duck wings.

While not all fresh diets contain fish, adding fish at 10% of the total meal for dogs will decrease inflammation in the mouth. Fatty fish contain high levels of omega-3 that have anti-inflammatory properties, which will modulate periodontal inflammation. 

Choosing smaller fatty fish near the bottom of the food chain lowers the risk of mercury contamination. Larger fish species with the potential of having higher mercury levels should be avoided. Examples of fish to add to the diet include herring, sardines, mackerel, capelin, salmon, and smelt. Canned fish preserved in water only, with no spices or oils, can be fed to dogs.

Probiotics can play a vital role in supporting the oral health of dogs by reducing pathogenic bacteria, maintaining a stable oral microbiota, preventing oral infections, and exhibiting anti-biofilm effects. Incorporating probiotics into the oral care regimen of dogs can thus be beneficial in promoting a healthier oral environment and preventing oral diseases.

Probiotics can significantly impact the oral health of dogs by promoting a balanced oral microbiome, reducing harmful bacteria, and improving overall oral health. A combination of specific probiotic strains, such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has been shown to prevent the growth of infectious bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium species in the oral cavity of dogs. This can improve oral health and reduce the risk of infections. 

Other studies have shown that the administration of probiotics does not significantly alter the relative abundance of the oral microbiota in dogs over time, indicating that probiotics can maintain a stable and balanced oral microbial environment.

Probiotics such as Enterococcus faecium have demonstrated anti-biofilm properties by reducing the bacterial count in dental plaque, helping prevent the formation of biofilms that contribute to periodontal disease.

Preventative Measures to Maintain the Oral Microbiome

Preventing the disruption of the oral microbiome in dogs involves various strategies that maintain a balanced microbial community and promote overall oral health. Although regular tooth brushing is considered the gold standard for maintaining oral health in dogs, it is estimated that only 10-20% of dog parents regularly brush their dogs' teeth. 

Providing species-appropriate chews, such as cartilaginous animal parts, can significantly improve oral health by reducing plaque and calculus formation. Air-dried poultry feet, cow and pig ears, and beef backstraps are examples of commercially available chews appropriate for dogs. Commercially available dental chews contain the same level of carbohydrates and toxic end products as kibble and should be avoided.

Subgingival plaque and calculus may not be fully removed without professional dental cleaning, leading to periodontal disease. Although there is a risk in fully anesthetizing a dog for professional cleaning,  anesthesia-free dental cleanings are often ineffective in thoroughly cleaning all areas of the teeth and gums, contributing to the progression of periodontal disease. Working closely with a veterinarian will determine the level of professional cleaning a dog requires.

While a fresh diet containing raw meaty bones can help reduce plaque, it may be insufficient to prevent periodontal disease in dogs. Comprehensive dental care, including a species-appropriate diet, regular tooth brushing, probiotics in the diet, and professional cleanings, is essential to maintain optimal oral health and prevent periodontal disease.

The oral microbiome in dogs consists of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, that are critical in maintaining oral health and overall well-being.

Maintaining a balanced oral microbiome is essential for preventing periodontal disease.

Diet significantly influences the composition of the oral microbiome. Raw meaty bones can promote beneficial bacteria, reduce pathogenic species, and provide natural tooth cleaning.

The canine oral microbiome: variation in bacterial populations across different niches | BMC Microbiology

Microbiota populations in supragingival plaque, subgingival plaque, and saliva habitats of adult dogs

Metagenomic analysis of the canine oral cavity as revealed by high-throughput pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene

Lactobacillus acidophilus novel strain, MJCD175, as a potential probiotic for oral health in dogs    

Influence of Gallic Acid-Containing Mouth Spray on Dental Health and Oral Microbiota of Healthy Dogs: A Pilot Study 

Comparison of the Effects of an Herbal Mouthwash with Chlorhexidine on Surface Bacteria Counts of Dental Plaque in Dogs – Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia 

Consequences of untreated periodontal disease in dogs and cats 

What is the Oral Microbiome in Dogs?

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