What is dental disease in dogs?
Dental diseases in dogs can include a wide range of issues, from gingivitis (red gums) to broken teeth. It’s important to diagnose and treat dental issues as soon as they are noticed to prevent pain, infection, and tooth loss.
As with humans, dental plaque is the primary cause of poor oral health in dogs. Plaque is a film on the teeth that develops and is home to bacteria. These bacteria can significantly affect health, and the plaque becomes harder to remove. All dogs are likely to experience dental disease, approximately 85% of dogs over 3 years of age show signs of periodontal disease which is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Some breeds with reduced jaw size are more likely to have problems with their gums, these include Boxers, Pugs and Pekingese.
Written by Dr. Mariella Roberts, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published March 2025 | Review date March 2027 | This advice is for UK pets only
Signs of dental disease in dogs
The earliest sign of dental disease is often:
redness or bleeding in the gums
discoloured teeth (brown or yellow)
swelling of the face (abscess)
chipped or broken tooth
halitosis (smelly breath) can have many causes, some of which might not be specifically oral. Halitosis is never normal and should not be overlooked as normal ‘dog breath’
not eating
dropping and/or shying away from food
sneezing or snorting following eating and drinking
You may also notice behavioural changes associated with the pain and discomfort caused by dental disease, such as:
face rubbing
pawing at the mouth
uncharacteristic aggression when you pet or play near your dog’s head or mouth
When to contact your vet
A pet can suffer in silence with dental disease, so if you see any symptoms above, book a free consult with us.
If you feel your dog has different behaviour from usual and/or any of the symptoms above a visit to your vet is warranted, particularly if your pet is drooling from his/her mouth or in any discomfort like the mouth is sore to touch or if your dog cannot open his/her mouth or he/she is in too much pain we’d recommend you seeing your vet more urgently.
Diagnosis
The initial step in diagnosing dental disease is:
clinical examination by a vet. It can be identified signs of dental disease and its severity during this exam, determining whether the dental disease is mild, moderate or severe.
for a thorough diagnosis, a complete assessment of the dog's mouth is necessary. This is typically done under general anaesthesia as it allows for detailed examination, even in well-behaved pets. Dogs have 42 teeth, each of which will be cleaned and examined and the findings recorded.
X-rays may be needed to fully assess teeth, roots and the jawbone around them. It may be recommended to take x-rays of your dog’s whole mouth, or just any diseased teeth.
Treatment
The best treatment plan for dental disease is personalised to each dog, the type of disease, severity of disease, and treatment goals. For dogs with gingivitis or early periodontal disease, teeth can be treated through scaling and polishing.
Some conditions, such as advanced periodontal disease with severe bone loss around the tooth, are best treated with tooth extraction. Extracting these diseased or loose teeth leads to a healthier and more functional mouth, since the pain and inflammation is eliminated. Dogs can eat kibble again and play with chew toys after a short healing period, and their other teeth typically don’t move following extractions.
Any advanced surgery will be referred to an orthodontic specialist.
Preventing dental disease in dogs
Thankfully, the most common kinds of dental disease are preventable and respond very well to treatment, especially if spotted early. Regular check-ups are key, as your vet will be able to notice early signs of dental disease before it becomes a serious health issue.
The most important methods for preventing dental disease in dogs are -
Home dental care for dogs: daily tooth brushing or at least three times a week with a specially formulated pet toothpaste and a dog toothbrush or finger one. Introducing brushing into an adult dog’s routine may seem daunting, but with a gentle introduction and a little training, it should not be an unpleasant experience for either of you. If you are unsure of how to brush your dog’s teeth, ask your vet for instructions or a demonstration.
Special diets: chews and toys are also available, and these can help to slow the build-up of plaque. Nevertheless, daily brushing remains the gold standard.
Professional cleaning: most dogs will need a regular scale and polish, even with good preventive measures at home, just as some people need to visit the dentist more regularly.
Outlook
Regular home hygiene is key to success. With the correct daily home care regimen and regular visits to the vet, most dogs will not suffer long-term effects. All dogs will require professional dental cleaning from time to time. The interval between professional cleaning depends on several factors, not least of which is the diligence of home hygiene.