Dental Disease in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Prevention

What it is

Dental disease in dogs is mostly periodontal disease: infection and inflammation of the tissues that hold the teeth in place, including the gums, ligaments, and jawbone. It starts with plaque, a soft film of bacteria that re-forms on the teeth within about a day. If plaque stays put for a couple of days, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which only a professional cleaning can remove.

The first stage is gingivitis, with red, inflamed gums, and it is the only stage that is fully reversible. Without treatment, infection works its way below the gumline into the tooth socket and destroys bone, and teeth loosen and may fall out. Much of the damage sits below the gumline where you cannot see it.

Periodontal disease is very common. VCA reports that more than two-thirds of dogs over age three have some degree of it, Merck puts the figure at up to 80 percent of dogs by age 2, and it is more likely in small and flat-faced breeds with small jaws and crowded teeth. Broken teeth are the other common dental problem. Oral bacteria may also reach the bloodstream, and veterinary sources suggest possible links with changes in organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Dogs often hide mouth pain, so bad breath is sometimes the only clue.

Causes and risk factors

What you can do at home

Start by lifting your dog's lips regularly and looking: red or bleeding gums, brown tartar, broken teeth, or bad breath all deserve a vet visit. Signs are often subtle, so also watch for pawing at the mouth, dropping food, drooling, head shaking, or discomfort when chewing. A painful dog may bite, so handle the mouth gently.

Brushing is the single most effective home measure. Daily is best, and every other day is a reasonable minimum, using toothpaste made for dogs. Our guide on how to brush your dog's teeth shows the steps. If your dog won't tolerate a brush, wiping the teeth with gauze is a fallback. Dental chews, dental diets, and water additives can help, but not every product works, so look for the seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council and ask your vet first.

What not to do: skip bones, antlers, hooves, ice, and hard nylon chews, which can fracture teeth. A chew should give slightly when you press on it. Tartar needs professional scaling, so scraping at it at home will not treat the disease, and anesthesia-free cleanings cannot reach below the gumline and can injure your dog.

What happens at the vet

Your vet starts with an oral exam while your dog is awake and may recommend a full dental procedure. Because dental disease is mostly below the gumline, a thorough exam needs general anesthesia, and your dog will have pre-anesthetic blood tests to check kidney and liver function first. Under anesthesia, the team probes each tooth and takes dental X-rays, which show root and bone problems that cannot be seen from the outside.

Treatment is a professional cleaning: scaling above and below the gumline, then polishing. Deeper pockets may need additional treatment, such as flap surgery or antimicrobial gels, and severely affected or loose teeth are usually extracted. A board-certified veterinary dentist can offer options such as root canals or bone regeneration in some cases. Some dogs are also started on antibiotics before the procedure.

Cleaning an awake dog only improves appearance and does not treat disease, which is why the AVMA, AAHA, and the American Veterinary Dental College do not recommend anesthesia-free cleanings. The AVMA notes most pets go home the same day. Ask what pain relief your dog will go home with, and give only what your vet prescribes. Never give human pain medicines on your own; the FDA warns they can cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage in dogs.

Prevention

Brushing is the backbone of prevention. Plaque left on the teeth for more than a couple of days hardens into tartar, so a daily brushing habit stops the process early. Start gently and keep sessions short and calm, so your dog learns to accept it.

Beyond brushing, look for dental chews, treats, diets, or water additives that carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal, and ask your vet which are worth buying. Dry kibble alone does not reliably reduce plaque, and nothing at home removes tartar that has already formed. Choose chews that give slightly when pressed and skip hard items that can break teeth.

Schedule a dental check at least once a year, and ask your vet how often professional cleanings make sense for your dog; small and flat-faced breeds are more prone, so raise it early. Conditions such as diabetes and Cushing's disease raise periodontal risk, so keep up with their care. If your dog stops eating or seems to be in pain, don't wait for the next checkup. See not eating for other causes.