Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a synthetic chemical compound, commonly used as a calcium-binding agent in industrial food processing and added to some dental products to chemically interfere with tartar formation.
On paper, that sounds effective.
In reality, it makes little sense in a dental powder for dogs and cats.
The contact-time problem
SHMP only works when it has direct, sustained contact with teeth, typically for several minutes. Dental powders don’t provide that.
They are mixed into food and swallowed within seconds.
In simple terms:
- Dental powders are eaten, not held in the mouth
- Contact time is measured in seconds
- SHMP requires direct, sustained contact with teeth to function
In powder form, the intended benefit of SHMP is largely theoretical; it simply doesn’t get the contact time it needs to do anything meaningful.
What actually happens instead
What does happen is this:
- SHMP is swallowed and ingested daily, contributing to unnecessary chemical exposure and build-up over time
- It offers zero nutritional value
- It introduces a synthetic chemical additive into your dog’s diet for a benefit that barely exists
SHMP does not support gums, saliva, oral tissue, or systemic health. Its only function is chemical calcium binding and only when it stays on the tooth surface, which simply doesn’t happen in a dental powder.
What can SHMP do in the gut?
SHMP is a non-selective chelator. Known as the “silent mineral thief,” once swallowed, does not distinguish between plaque calcium and dietary minerals.
It can bind:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
Why this matters:
- These minerals are absorbed in the gut
- Binding reduces bioavailability
- The effects compound with daily exposure, especially in small dogs or long-term use
This can:
- Alter gut chemistry
- Stress-sensitive digestive systems
- Be poorly tolerated in dogs with IBS, allergies, or inflammatory gut conditions
Why less is more in dental powders
NutriFlex® DentaMax™ uses 100% pure Ascophyllum nodosum, a VOHC-recognised ingredient supported by clinical data.
It works by altering saliva composition, helping reduce plaque and tartar before they harden. Because this action is systemic, it does not rely on surface contact and does not require added chemicals to “help it along.”
Adding more ingredients doesn’t improve results; it dilutes the one ingredient that does the work.
That’s why DentaMax™ keeps it simple:
- No phosphates
- No binders
- Does not chelate minerals
- Does not interfere with gut chemistry
- No synthetic additives
The bottom line
If the upside of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is negligible and it adds no nutritional or systemic benefit, it doesn’t belong in the bowl.
In a swallowed dental powder, your dog or cat bears the exposure cost, including potential gut disruption, without receiving the intended dental benefit.
That’s why we refuse to use it.
Check your pet’s dental powder label today
If it’s stacked with unnecessary chemicals and binders, it’s time to switch to NutriFlex® DentaMax™.
