Today there are a number of dog foods and treats promoted as beneficial for dental health. Some sport the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal (VOHC Accepted) for having passed a rigorous product test. Others use the limited claims that are allowed: "cleanse, freshen or whiten teeth." Regardless of the claim or labeling, a "dental product" is limited to the foods' "mechanical (e.g., abrasive) action" on the teeth (AAFCO, 2012). No references to chemical or antimicrobial additives are permitted without prior Food and Drug Administration approval. Despite this, most of the products with a dental message depend on food additives to enhance the "mechanical action." Generally these are mineral sequestering agents-a leading one being sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP).
This salt of phosphoric acid is the same active dentifrice found in common toothpastes. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and has been used in our food and feed supplies for years as a nutritional element (phosphorus source) and alkalinizing agent (increase pH). In "dental" targeted petfoods and treats, the use of SHMP has been protected by a number of patents for several years, but many of the first patents have now expired and others will soon. This could open up the landscape for other companies to enter this market. With that in mind, some background on its application, chemistry, utilization and safety might be helpful.
