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By Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Certified pet nutritionist in Singapore
QUICK ANSWER
Probiotics aren't just for the gut. They help rebalance the bacteria in your pet's mouth too. Mixed with coconut oil, they make a simple toothpaste that helps crowd out the harmful bacteria behind plaque, bad breath and gum disease.
Why the mouth needs good bacteria
The mouth has its own microbiome. When harmful bacteria take over, plaque builds up and the gums become inflamed. Over time, dental disease can affect the heart, lungs and kidneys. Probiotics support the gut and help repopulate the mouth with good bacteria, while coconut oil adds natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory support.
The recipe
Small dogs and cats: 1 teaspoon coconut oil + 1/16 teaspoon Adored Beast Love Bugs.
Large dogs: 1 tablespoon coconut oil + 1/16 tablespoon Love Bugs.
Mix well and apply gently along the gum line and teeth with your finger or gauze. If the gums are inflamed, swap Love Bugs for Adored Beast Gut Soothe.
Store it in a glass jar in the fridge. It hardens when cold, so leave it out for a few minutes to soften before using. For brushing tips, see my step-by-step brushing guide.
For pets who won't let you near their mouth
✓ Probiotic popsicles: freeze the paste in small moulds and give it as a treat.
✓ In the water bowl: add probiotics to their water.
Raw bones: nature's floss
Soft raw bones like chicken and turkey necks clean the teeth much like floss and exercise the jaw. To guide your dog to use their back teeth, wear a rubber glove and hold the bone while they chew. Keep sessions short, reward with treats, and stop if your dog seems uncomfortable or protective. Always supervise.
What to avoid
✓ Tennis balls: the fuzzy covering wears down teeth and can cause blockages if swallowed. Choose a rubber ball too big to swallow.
✓ Cooked or smoked bones and antlers: these can break teeth or splinter and lodge in the throat or gut. Raw bones only.
✓ Stones: these can break teeth.
When it needs a professional
Anaesthesia-free scaling can work well as a regular cleaning programme, especially if you're not able to floss at home, but only when the mouth isn't smelly, there's no inflammation, and the gums don't bleed during normal brushing. It doesn't replace a deep clean and dental X-rays with your vet.
Cleaning under anaesthesia is needed when there's a smell that doesn't go away or the gums bleed. Even for a healthy mouth, I think a full clean and check with your vet every 2–3 years is ideal. Make sure it's truly necessary, ask for pre-anaesthetic blood work, and for older or medically fragile pets, ask about a board-certified veterinary dentist or anaesthesiologist to keep anaesthesia time as short and safe as possible.
Homeopathic support from Adored Beast
Adored Beast was founded by Julie Anne Lee, a homeopath. These are the remedies and doses she recommends around dental procedures:
✓ Anaesthesia-free hand scaling: choose a qualified, patient technician, and spread the scaling over about four sessions, one section of the mouth at a time, so your pet can still eat comfortably. Rinse the mouth with coconut oil and hypericum. Aconite 1M can be given beforehand if needed. Afterwards, give Arnica 1M and Hepar sulphuris 200C twice daily for 7 days.
✓ Before cleaning under anaesthesia: make sure it's truly necessary and do pre-anaesthetic blood work. If the kidneys or liver need support, support them for about 3 months before retesting. For a heavy bacterial load, give Arnica 30C, Hepar sulphuris 30C and Silica 30C twice daily for 2 weeks.
✓ After extractions: give Phosphorus 200C once, then Arnica 1M and Hypericum 1M twice daily for 2–5 days.
We don't carry these homeopathic remedies, but we can help you get them privately for a custom fee. Reach out to us if you'd like them. I'm not a homeopath, so for advice specific to your pet, please consult a homeopathic vet.
FROM MY EXPERIENCE
BeanBean's dental routine includes Love Bugs, and I switch to Gut Soothe when her gums are inflamed. With daily care, she's gone from grade 3 to grade 2 periodontal disease. Read her full story in coconut oil for dogs' teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats have this paste?
Yes. Use the small-pet amount.
How often should I use it?
Daily, as part of your pet's brushing routine.
Can I use any probiotic?
Choose a good-quality pet probiotic with prebiotics. Love Bugs is the one I use.
Shop this article
This article is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary care. If you're concerned about your pet's health, please seek professional advice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Judyvein is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and Certified Raw Nutrition Coach for Cats & Dogs, and the founder of JOOF Holistic Pet. Her journey began with her Frenchie, Wangcai, and today she helps pet parents in Singapore take a root-cause approach to their pets' health.
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