Prophylactic treatment to keep the teeth clean is therefore of great importance.  We recommend an oral hygiene program that includes regularly brushing your pets' teeth with a toothpaste formulated for animals.  Diet is a major factor in the development of plaque and calculus.  Soft or sticky foods should therefore be avoided, while certain chewing toys are beneficial. A specially formulated diet with dental benefits (reduced accumulation of plaque and calculus) is now available for dogs.