Mouth guard: UConn basketball assists with canine dental protection

Dog dental treat brand Greenies has teamed up with the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies basketball to raise awareness about canine dental health. The “Be Your Dog’s Mouthguard” campaign aims to make pet owners a teammate in protecting their pet’s teeth and kicks off with the start of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament season.¹

During the upcoming NCAA Division 1 tournaments—beginning March 17, 2026, for the men and March 18, 2026, for the women—UConn’s mascot, Jonathan the Husky, will be wearing a custom Greenies mouthguard to serve as a reminder to pet owners to protect their dogs’ teeth. Mouth guards are often used by athletes, including basketball players, to protect their own teeth during gameplay.²

Both the UConn women’s basketball and men’s basketball teams are scheduled to play in these tournaments, known as March Madness. The UConn women are 1 of 4 first seeds, whereas the UConn men are seeded second in East bracket for their respective tournaments.^2,3

Diana Taurasi, a 3-time NCAA champion as a UConn player and a former Women’s National Basketball Association star, is also supporting the campaign. "As a former Husky, I know what loyalty and dedication look like," Taurasi said in a news release.¹ "That's why I'm teaming up with the Greenies brand to challenge fans to bring the same winning energy they have for their teams to protect their dog's dental health. This March, during college basketball's biggest moment, we're calling on everyone to step up and 'Be Your Dog's Mouthguard.'"

By the age of 3 years, approximately 80% of canines show signs of dental disease,^1,4 which affects the teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures. According to Naomi Hoyer, DVM, an associate professor of dentistry and oral surgery at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, the most common dental disease is periodontal disease that starts with plaque buildup and can escalate with damage to the gums and bone surrounding canine teeth. In severe cases of periodontal disease that are left untreated, bacteria entering the bloodstream can lead to disease in the heart, lungs, and kidneys.⁴

Early client education is important for preventing periodontal disease in dogs. In a dvm360 interview, Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, a veterinary dental specialist at Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital in Boerne, Texas, said having dog owners perform some oral care at home helps prevent periodontal disease.⁵

“While brushing [teeth] is best, it can be challenging. I even like using dental wipes, coming from behind the head and doing it that way, so it’s a little less assertive,” Lobprise said in the interview.⁵ “And then regular oral exams and regular dental cleanings under anesthesia. And while we still may have the occasional extraction or some problems with it, we can [absolutely] help decrease the impact of periodontal disease in these pets.”

Until April 6, 2026, pet owners and basketball fans in the US or Washington, DC, who are 18 years and older can take a pledge to protect their dogs’ teeth by visiting GreeniesBeYourDogsMouthguard.com. If either the UConn women’s or men’s basketball teams wins their respective NCAA tournament, a limited number of those who signed the online pledge will receive free Greenies dog treats.^1,6

"Defense is essential for winning championships, and that matters at home, too," Mindy Barry, chief marketing officer for Mars Pet Nutrition North America, said in the release.¹ "If we can use this moment with the UConn Huskies to rally pet parents around their dog's dental care the same way they rally behind their favorite teams, we're doing something meaningful for dogs everywhere."

A Mars Petcare brand, Greenies Dog Dental Treats fight plaque and tartar buildup, freshen breath, and support healthy gums and teeth, according to the release. When added to a dog's daily routine, these treats can help improve canine dental hygiene to support oral and overall health.¹

Greenies also offers an online tool that relies on artificial intelligence (AI) as an additional defense against dental disease that pet owners can use. The Greenies Canine Dental Check is designed to support canine dental health monitoring between veterinary visits. The AI tool works with smartphone photos and answers prompts about a dog’s oral health submitted by their owners.^1,7

References

1. The Greenies brand teams up with UConn Huskies to champion canine dental health on and off the court. News release. Greenies. March 16, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-greenies-brand-teams-up-with-uconn-huskies-to-champion-canine-dental-health-on-and-off-the-court-302713841.html
2. Division I women’s basketball. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-women/d1/2026
3. March Madness live: official bracket. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/bracket
4. Hoyer N. Preventing dental disease in dogs and cats. Colorado State University. Published August 6, 2020. Updated January 23, 2024. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/animal-health/keeping-your-pets-teeth-clean-is-important-to-their-overall-health/#:~:text=Dental%20disease%20is%20an%20infection,kidney%20disease%20if%20left%20untreated
5. Lobprise H, Littrell A, Bautista-Alejandre A. Preventing periodontal disease in dogs. dvm360. December 19, 2025. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/preventing-periodontal-disease-in-dogs
6. Greenies Be Your Dog’s Mouthguard promotion terms and conditions. Mars Incorporated. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://e.sampltech.com/greenies-pr-us-mar-2026/terms-and-conditions
7. How it works: Greenies canine dental check. Greenies. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.greenies.com/pages/greenies-canine-dental-check?srsltid=AfmBOoo9-ElaTngd3DizvEY2JXAePPeJCiXjsJC80UUtUKzxr1PAE5FF