Dogs do not tend to suffer from tooth decay the way we do, but they are prone to dental disease in which tartar builds up and makes the gums sore and inflamed. Eventually, dogs with dental disease often require dental treatment under an anaesthetic. To stop dental disease building up, you can take various preventative measures including brushing your dog's teeth at home.

What is dental disease and how does it develop?

Dental disease in dogs starts with a build-up of plaque, which is a thin layer of bacteria and other material that coats the teeth. Over time, this plaque thickens and becomes mineralised, forming tartar which you might see on your dog's teeth as hard yellowish material. Where the plaque and tartar meet the gums, the bacteria make the gums sore, red and inflamed. The attachment of the gums to the teeth is disrupted, and plaque and tartar can build up in deep pockets next to the teeth, as shown in the following animation. Eventually, the tooth can become loose.

Animation on the progression of periodontal disease in the dog:

This type of dental disease is called 'periodontal disease', as 'periodontal' means 'around the tooth'. Periodontal disease is very common in pet dogs, affecting most dogs over the age of three.

What are the signs of dental disease?

Dental disease is easy to overlook as it is so common. However, the inflammation of the gums can be quite sore for your pet, so it is worth keeping a lookout for it. Here are the signs of dental disease to watch out for:

  • Visible tartar on the teeth
  • Inflamed gums
  • Smelly breath
  • Signs of pain in the mouth - rubbing the mouth, becoming fussy with food or losing interest in chews and toys
  • Eating on one side of the mouth
  • Dribbling, possibly with blood in saliva

If your dog is showing signs of dental disease, take them to your vet for a check-up. Your vet will be able to advise whether any dental treatment is necessary. If you catch the dental disease early, it is more likely that you will be able to manage it with home care and avoid a dental procedure.

How is dental disease treated?

If your dog has mild dental disease, your vet may advise you to manage this at home with tooth brushing, chews and potentially oral hygiene products (more on this below!). However, if the dental disease is more advanced, your dog may need to go into the vet for some dental treatment under an anaesthetic. In this process, your vet will assess how severe the disease is and check whether any teeth need to be removed.

When your vet is assessing whether teeth should be extracted, they will check the size of the pocket between the gum and the tooth using a special probe as shown in the following animation. If there is a large pocket, it may not be possible to save the tooth.

Animation on dental probing:

Your vet may also perform X-rays to assess the teeth. After extracting any teeth that should be removed, your vet will then remove the tartar using an ultrasound scaler.

Animation on scaling:

Video showing ultrasound scaling:

How can dental disease be prevented?

The most effective way to prevent dental disease is by brushing your dog’s teeth. Ideally, it is best if you do this every day, using a special dog toothpaste. It can take a little while to get your dog used to tooth brushing, but if you choose a tasty toothpaste and make it a pleasant experience for them with lots of fuss afterwards, it should be easy to integrate this into your normal routine. If you have a young dog, it is worth getting them used to tooth brushing early on. You can start out just by putting your finger around their gums to get them used to the process.

Animation on toothbrushing for dogs:

Video on toothbrushing for dogs:

There are various kinds of dog toothbrushes available, including 'finger toothbrushes' that you can slip onto your finger. Choose a type that suits you and your dog, with advice from your vet if necessary. Your vet will also be able to advise on a good dog toothpaste. Bear in mind that human toothpaste is not good for dogs.

As well as tooth brushing, you can give your dog special dental chews that are designed to crack off the tartar. Some chews can be quite high in calories, so make sure that you factor this in to your dog's daily food allowance. Bear in mind that while hard chews are good for the teeth, bones are not recommended as they can cause problems if they splinter or become stuck in your dog's intestines.

Animation on the mechanism of action of chews:

Certain dog foods are formulated to work in a similar manner, and your vet will be able to advise on these.

Animation on the mechanism of action of dental diets:

There are also other oral hygiene products that your vet may recommend, such as antibacterial oral gels or supplements that you can add to the food that reduce plaque build-up.

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