Prevent tooth decay in you pet

We just found an informative article on WebMD sorting out some myths and facts of tooth decay.  Here's an interesting excerpt that may be helpful to all you pet owners out there, especially for dog and cat owners contemplating the benefits of grain free, canned, and raw foods:

...it’s the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities, says Harms. What the bacteria do, however, is eat carbohydrates... Rice, potatoes, bread, and fruits and vegetables are also carbohydrates.
When you eat anything with carbs, the bacteria become active and produce acid that then eats into your tooth.  (Source: WebMD.com - "15 Myths and Facts about Cavities")

Consider that carbohydrate sources make up a large part of many dry dog foods.  Some grain free foods have lower carb levels, but not all (because many still contain carbs from potatos, peas, etc).  Many premium grade canned or raw diets contain significantly less carbohydrates than even the best dry dog and cat foods. 

P.S. For you nutrition geeks out there, here is an article about whether carbs are important at all for your dog or cat: http://rawfed.com/myths/carbs.html