When Gonzo was around 4 years old, I was considering getting a dental for him, because he had a cracked molar that was collecting tons of plaque and it was plaquey along his gumline. I spent AT LEAST $10/week on dental chews, and I brushed his teeth daily. The plaque still inevitably kept gathering.

Once I started feeding raw bones regularly, Gonzo's teeth were instantly white again, even that awkwardly cracked molar. When I have to go through periods of feeding just kibble, I supplement with good raw meaty bones, like turkey necks/wings, chicken carcasses, lamb shanks, etc. Knuckle bones are AMAZING for keeping teeth clean... all of that cartilege and tendons are nature's toothbrush. One or two knuckle bones a month keep their teeth plaque-free, which is no more than $3. It's easy, healthy, and good mental/physical stimulation for dogs.

Gonzo did chip one of his tiny bottom front teeth 6 or so years ago... I think it was on a hard frisbee, or a sterilized/cooked bone. The Vet said it would fall out, but it still hasn't, and it's a bit discolored. I really want to get it pulled but my Vet is very hesitant to do it because she says he does NOT need a dental at all, and they would have to put him under to pull it. She wants me to wait until he does need a dental, but I doubt that the day he does will ever come.