Look at those pearly whites! Dog dental care and healthy dog teeth tips

Updated 22/11/2023

Keeping your dog’s smile pearly white is a key part of looking after your dog’s health. Dog dental care is easily overlooked by many pet parents, simply because the early signs of teeth and gum problems can be subtle. It’s easy to fall behind on oral care for dogs, and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start. 

Luckily, daily dental care for dogs can easily become part of their routine, and many dogs enjoy having their teeth tickled by a toothbrush or the fun of an extra dental treat. Today, we’re going to explain what healthy dog teeth and gums should look like, how to keep up basic doggy dental care at home, and when you should consult a professional dental veterinary expert.

Healthy dog teeth and what to look out for 

Oral hygiene is just as important for our bark babies as it is for us humans. Doggy dental care can help prevent dental disease or gum infections such as periodontal disease, which can be painful if left untreated.

Here are some key tips on what to keep an eye out for with dog teeth daily and signs of any dog dental issues.

Plaque and tartar - what are these and what do they look like?

Plaque and tartar build up is a continual process. Bacteria from food stick to the gums and cause inflammation, weakening the attachments of the gums to the tooth. This allows food and other materials to lodge around the tooth and start the process of forming tartar, a brown yellow substance that builds up on the top of the tooth near the gum. Over time this plaque and tartar build up can lead to wobbly or infected teeth that are painful for your dog. 

Dog dental care is very important, not only to keep your dog happy and comfortable but to also stop them from developing tooth decay or infections from plaque building up. Thankfully, this can be prevented with regular teeth brushing and knowing what your dog can and can’t eat.

When to be concerned about dog dental health

Below are some symptoms to look out for with doggy dental care. This list comes from the American Veterinary Medical Association, which also has detailed information about different dental disease issues. Remember to consult your vet if your dog is displaying any of these signs:

• Smelly breath
• Broken or loose teeth
• Retained baby teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
• Changes in behavior - irritability, aggression, or lethargy

If you notice any other issues or concerns with your canine’s canines, contact your vet for a health check up.

Dog dental care at home

Adding dog dental care to your pooch’s routine will reduce the rate of plaque and tartar build up in your dog's mouth, keeping their gums and teeth healthier for longer and reducing the risk of dental disease or other illnesses developing. 

Regularly brush your dog’s teeth

Practice makes perfect with pooch teeth brushing. Luckily, doggy toothpaste comes in many tasty flavors - including beef, chicken, and peanut butter - meaning some drool babies will enjoy their regular tooth brushing session. Never use human toothpaste, as it can contain Xylitol, a compound which is highly toxic to dogs. If you are unsure what to use, ask your vet for guidance. 

Use a dog friendly toothbrush, such as a finger brush or child's toothbrush as these are softer on dogs teeth. Aim to brush your dog's teeth once a day, but even three times a week can make a huge difference to their oral health. Only brush the outside surface and you do not need to rinse or flush their mouth out after brushing their teeth. 

Improve dog dental health with food and water additives

The Veterinary Oral Health Council has detailed, vet-verified lists of additives, foods, and products to include in your precious pooch’s diet which will improve doggy dental care at home.

Prescription dental food

Your vet will be able to recommend prescription food designed to help slow down the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth and prevent dental disease, as well as help with ongoing dental care for dogs.

Remember, although a product may be suggested as being helpful towards oral care for dogs, do always run it past a veterinarian to make sure the product is right for your dog. 

Dog chews help too

Arguably the easiest way to improve and maintain healthy dog teeth, some dog chews help with reducing plaque and tartar build up on the teeth. As this doesn’t require any changes to their routine, your pup may appreciate the additional new treats whilst also sneakily including dog dental care.

As always, please check with your vet which dog chews would be best suited to your hungry hound. Consider the calories of adding in extra dental treats- if your dog eats too many and still has their normal food portions, they can become overweight quickly. 

Oral hygiene check-ups with your vet

Dog dental check-ups should happen at least once a year. A dental appointment includes a scale and polish, and x-rays of all of your dog's teeth to look for signs of disease. A scale and polish is usually done under general anesthetic, as your veterinarian will need to clean and polish all surfaces of your dog's teeth. Any diseased, painful teeth can be removed, and if infection is present, your veterinarian can prescribe medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. 

A yearly dental hygiene visit is an essential part of any doggy dental care plan, starting as early as one year old and continuing for the rest of their lives. Starting oral care for dogs at a young age means they are more likely to have many healthy teeth still remaining at old age. 

When to consult your vet about dental care for dogs

Always contact your vet if you are ever concerned about your dog’s health or change in behavior. Make sure you talk to your dog’s veterinary professional about how to prevent plaque building, additional tips they may have on keeping your dog’s mouth healthy, and general dog teeth care during their annual checkups..

These check-ins may become more regular if you care for a senior dog, or you have adopted an adult pooch with a history of mouth problems.

Professional dental vets

Some vets specialize in pet dental care, so, your vet may choose to refer your doggo to a dental specialist if your dog has complicated dental needs. These veterinary professionals have an additional qualification, recognized by the American Veterinary Dental College, that states they have further skills in animal dental care.

A professional dental vet can do advanced procedures such as root canals, tooth replacements and orofacial reconstructive surgery (for dogs who have accidents like being hit by a car).

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Be sure to contact your vet if you have any concerns about dog dental care or any other health issues for your precious pooch. For existing TruststedHousesitters members, you can call our 24/7 Vet Advice Line if you have any questions before booking a vet appointment. Members can also discuss and swap tips on dog teeth care through our Community Forum.

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