Dental disease is one of the health conditions that dogs owners should know about, because it affects quality of life, and it is easier to manage when it is caught early. This guide explains what dental disease is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual dog.
Small-breed dogs are the focus of this guide. A small dog typically weighs 5–10 kg as an adult. Small breeds are more prone to dental disease than large breeds, because their teeth are crowded into a small mouth, which makes plaque build up faster and makes the teeth harder to clean. The rest of this guide covers the condition itself — what it is, the signs, the causes, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, and how to live with it — with the size in mind throughout.
What is dental disease in dogs?
Dental disease is a condition where plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, the gums become inflamed, and, if it is not treated, the teeth loosen and fall out, and infection spreads to the rest of the body. It is the most common health problem in adult dogs — most dogs over three years old have some degree of dental disease — and it is also one of the most preventable. Dental disease is not just about bad breath: the bacteria in an infected mouth can affect the heart, the kidneys, and the liver, so clean teeth matter for the whole dog, not just the mouth.
The rest of this guide covers the signs, the causes, how dental disease is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. A dog with dental disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is — and because some of the signs of dental disease can also be signs of other conditions, which need a vet to tell apart. The dog ideal weight calculator works out a target weight range, and the when is a dog considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Signs of dental disease in dogs
The signs of dental disease in dogs are listed below. Not every dog with dental disease will show every sign, and some dogs will show only one or two — but any one of these signs, especially if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, is worth mentioning to a vet. A dog that is bright, eating, drinking, and otherwise well between episodes is less likely to be seriously ill than a dog that is lethargic, off its food, or losing weight — but the only way to know is to check.
- Bad breath, that does not go away with a change in food.
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and gums that pull away from the teeth.
- Tartar — a hard, yellow-brown coating — on the teeth, especially the back teeth.
- Dropping food, eating slowly, or chewing on one side only.
- Pawing at the mouth, or flinching when the mouth is touched.
- Loose teeth, or teeth that have fallen out.
- A dog that is off its food, lethargic, or losing weight.
If two or more of those signs apply, or if one sign is severe — a dog that cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, or has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes — see a vet the same day. Those are signs that need a vet, not waiting. Bring a note of when the signs started, how often they happen, and what the dog eats and drinks — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the cause. The how to tell if your dog is overweight guide gives the hands-on check for weight, which matters for many of these conditions.
Causes and risk factors for dental disease
Dental disease is caused by plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth after every meal. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed off, and the bacteria in the tartar inflame the gums. Small and toy breeds are more prone, because their teeth are crowded into a small mouth, and some breeds are more prone because of their genes. A dog that eats only soft food, and never chews anything hard, is more prone, because chewing helps to clean the teeth. Age is the biggest risk factor: dental disease gets worse with every year it is not treated.
Some dogs are more prone to dental disease than others, because of their genes, their breed, their size, or their age — but breed and age are not destiny, and a dog of any breed can develop dental disease. What an owner can control is weight, food, exercise, and vet checks: a dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop dental disease and will cope better with it if it does. A dog that is overweight, that eats a poor diet, or that never sees a vet is more likely to develop dental disease and to have it found late, when it is harder to treat.
How dental disease is diagnosed
A vet diagnoses dental disease by looking in the mouth — at the teeth, the gums, and the tartar — and by feeling for loose teeth and sore gums. The vet may also take an X-ray of the teeth, because much of the tooth is under the gum, and a tooth can be badly diseased under the gum while it looks fine above it. A dog with bad breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty eating should be checked, even if it is young — dental disease can start early, and it is easier to treat when it is caught early.
If you are worried about your dog, see a vet and mention dental disease by name, with the signs you have seen and when they started. Bring a note of what the dog eats, how much, and any medicines it takes, and whether it has had dental disease or a related condition before. A video of the signs, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description — especially for seizures, limping, or breathing problems. Do not try to diagnose dental disease yourself, and do not buy medicines or special diets for it without veterinary advice, because the wrong treatment can make it worse.
Treatment and management of dental disease
Treatment is a professional cleaning under anaesthetic, where the vet removes the tartar above and below the gum, checks each tooth, and removes any teeth that cannot be saved. Cleaning without anaesthetic does not work, because the tartar below the gum cannot be reached, and a dog that is awake will not sit still for it. After the cleaning, the vet will advise on home care — brushing, dental chews, and a food that helps to clean the teeth. A dog that has lost teeth can still eat well, and it is better to lose a diseased tooth than to keep it and let the infection spread.
Treatment is a decision made with the vet, weighing the dog's age, health, and quality of life against the treatment and its side effects. Some owners choose not to treat, and to keep the dog comfortable instead — and that is a valid choice, made with the vet, not on the basis of a web page. Whatever is decided, the treatment must be followed every day, at the same times, and the dog must be checked regularly, because dental disease changes over time, and the treatment needs to change with it. Do not stop a medicine suddenly, and do not change the dose without veterinary advice.
Living with a dog with dental disease
A dog with dental disease can live a full and happy life once its teeth are treated, but it needs lifelong dental care: brushing, dental chews, and a vet check of the teeth at every routine visit. Watch for the signs coming back — bad breath, bleeding gums, dropping food — and mention them to the vet promptly, because dental disease that is left will come back. A dog that has had teeth removed can still eat well, and it is better to lose a diseased tooth than to keep it. Clean teeth matter for the whole dog, not just the mouth, because the bacteria in an infected mouth can affect the heart, the kidneys, and the liver.
Keep a routine: the same times for food, medicines, walks, and play, the same places for furniture, food, and water, and a calm, predictable home. Keep a note of appetite, drinking, weight, and behaviour, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a change that lasts more than a few days, or that gets worse, is worth a vet visit. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise at a level that suits its body, and keep vet checks regular: once a year as an adult, and twice a year as a senior. The senior dog diet guide covers feeding older dogs, and the dog calorie calculator works out daily calories for any weight.
Why small dogs are prone to dental disease
Small breeds are more prone to dental disease than large breeds, because their teeth are crowded into a small mouth, which makes plaque build up faster and makes the teeth harder to clean. That does not mean every small dog will develop dental disease — it means owners should know the signs, and mention them to the vet early, because dental disease is easier to manage when it is caught early.
Can dental disease be prevented?
Dental disease is prevented by brushing the dog's teeth — daily if possible, with a toothpaste made for dogs, never with toothpaste meant for people, which is toxic to dogs. Start young, and make it a routine: a dog that is used to having its teeth brushed as a puppy will accept it as an adult. Dental chews and a food made to clean the teeth can help, but they are not a substitute for brushing. Have the vet check the teeth at every routine visit, so dental disease is found early, when it is easier and cheaper to treat.
Early checks matter most: have the dog checked regularly, so dental disease is found early, when treatment works best. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, and mention any change in drinking, eating, weight, or behaviour to your vet early, because a change caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks.
For related reading, see the dog ideal weight calculator, the dog body condition score chart, the how to tell if your dog is overweight guide, the senior dog diet guide, the dog calorie calculator, the when is a dog considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is dental disease in dogs?
Dental disease is a condition where plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, the gums become inflamed, and, if it is not treated, the teeth loosen and fall out, and infection spreads to the rest of the body. It is the most common health problem in adult dogs — most dogs over three years old have some degree of dental disease — and it is also one of the most preventable. Dental disease is not just about bad breath: the bacteria in an infected mouth can affect the heart, the kidneys, and the liver, so clean teeth matter for the whole dog, not just the mouth.
What are the signs of dental disease in dogs?
The most common signs are: Bad breath, that does not go away with a change in food. Red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and gums that pull away from the teeth. Tartar — a hard, yellow-brown coating — on the teeth, especially the back teeth. See the full list above for every sign to watch for, and see a vet promptly if two or more apply, or if one sign is severe.
What causes dental disease in dogs?
Dental disease is caused by plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth after every meal. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed off, and the bacteria in the tartar inflame the gums. Small and toy breeds are more prone, because their teeth are crowded into a small mouth, and some breeds are more prone because of their genes. A dog that eats only soft food, and never chews anything hard, is more prone, because chewing helps to clean the teeth. Age is the biggest risk factor: dental disease gets worse with every year it is not treated.
How is dental disease diagnosed?
A vet diagnoses dental disease by looking in the mouth — at the teeth, the gums, and the tartar — and by feeling for loose teeth and sore gums. The vet may also take an X-ray of the teeth, because much of the tooth is under the gum, and a tooth can be badly diseased under the gum while it looks fine above it. A dog with bad breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty eating should be checked, even if it is young — dental disease can start early, and it is easier to treat when it is caught early.
How is dental disease treated?
Treatment is a professional cleaning under anaesthetic, where the vet removes the tartar above and below the gum, checks each tooth, and removes any teeth that cannot be saved. Cleaning without anaesthetic does not work, because the tartar below the gum cannot be reached, and a dog that is awake will not sit still for it. After the cleaning, the vet will advise on home care — brushing, dental chews, and a food that helps to clean the teeth. A dog that has lost teeth can still eat well, and it is better to lose a diseased tooth than to keep it and let the infection spread.
When should a dog with dental disease see a vet?
See a vet promptly if the dog shows any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days or get worse — and the same day if the dog cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or is lethargic or off its food. Bring a note of when the signs started and what the dog eats and drinks. A dog with dental disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.