5 common dental problems in dogs and what to do about them

A dog's mouth has 42 teeth and a limited number of ways to go wrong. These five account for most of what vets see. For each one I have set out what it looks like, what to do, and where home care fits, because the honest answer in every case is the same: the vet deals with the problem, and daily brushing keeps the mouth clean afterwards.

1. Tartar on the back teeth

What it looks like: a yellow or brown crust along the gum line, usually on the upper back teeth first, often with a smell. What it is: plaque that was not disturbed while it was soft and has hardened with minerals from saliva. What to do: see your vet. Tartar cannot be brushed off, and no product you can buy without a vet shifts it; a professional clean under anaesthetic is the routine answer. Where home care fits: afterwards. Daily brushing of the outer surfaces with a pet toothpaste disrupts plaque while it is soft, which is how the mouth stays clean once it has been cleaned.

2. Sore, red or bleeding gums

What it looks like: a red line where gum meets tooth, swelling, bleeding when touched or brushed, and sometimes gums that have pulled back so more tooth shows. What it is: the gums reacting to plaque and tartar sitting against them. What to do: see your vet, and do not brush harder in the meantime; bleeding gums are a reason to be seen, not a reason to scrub. Where home care fits: once your vet has checked the mouth, gentle daily brushing is usually part of keeping it comfortable.

3. A broken tooth

What it looks like: a tooth with a flat or missing edge, a pink or brown spot at the centre, a dog chewing on one side or dropping hard food, or a swelling under one eye. What it is: most often a fracture of the big upper back tooth from biting something harder than enamel: bones, antlers, hooves, hard nylon chews, stones, ice. What to do: see your vet promptly. A broken tooth does not heal and does not stop hurting. Where home care fits: in prevention of the next one, by choosing chews that give under your thumbnail. Our article on bones and dog teeth explains the test.

4. Baby teeth that did not fall out

What it looks like: in a puppy over about seven months, a small baby tooth still sitting beside its adult replacement, most often the canines. What it is: a retained deciduous tooth, common in small and toy breeds. What to do: show your vet, who will usually advise removing the baby tooth so the adult tooth can sit properly and food does not trap between them. Where home care fits: a weekly look during teething is how you spot it early.

5. Worn or discoloured teeth

What it looks like: teeth that are flattened, shortened or have a brown centre; or one tooth that is grey, pink or darker than its neighbours. What it is: wear from chewing tennis balls, stones or fabric, or a tooth that has been damaged. What to do: ask your vet, because a worn or discoloured tooth may be sensitive or may have problems below the gum where nobody can see. Where home care fits: swap abrasive toys for rubber and rope, and keep brushing gently.

The pattern

Every one of the five has the same shape: a problem that needs a vet, and a daily routine that keeps the mouth clean once the problem has been dealt with. Petdentist® products are non-medicinal daily-care products; they are for keeping a healthy mouth clean and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. We say that on every page because it is true, and because owners who understand it get the order right: vet first, brush daily afterwards.

The routine that keeps a clean mouth clean

• Daily: a pea of Petsmile toothpaste, VOHC Accepted for plaque control in dogs, on a soft brush, outer surfaces only, under a minute.
• The right brush: a compact bamboo brush for small dogs, a long-handled large breed brush for big ones.
• Weekly: lift the lip on both sides and look, same day each week.
• Most days: supervised chewing on a toy that gives under your thumbnail, such as the tyre rope flosser.
• Yearly: a vet check, sooner if anything on this page applies.

Questions people ask

Which dogs are most prone to dental problems?

Small and flat-faced breeds, whose teeth are crowded, tend to show tartar and sore gums earliest. Big chewers of hard objects are most prone to broken teeth. Every dog builds plaque at the same rate.

Can I scrape tartar off at home with a scaler?

No. Scaling without anaesthetic cannot reach below the gum line, risks injuring the gum and the enamel, and is frightening for the dog. Tartar is a job for your vet.

How often should my dog's teeth be checked by a vet?

Most vets include the mouth in the annual check. Small breeds, older dogs and dogs with a history of dental work may be asked to come more often.

Read next: Signs your dog's mouth needs a vet visit, How to check your dog's teeth at home, Why daily dental care matters for dogs.

About the author. Dr Deepak Songra BDS (GDC 68552) is a dental surgeon with more than 35 years in clinical practice and the founder of Petdentist®. He is not a vet. He lives with Merlo, the Cavapoo you will see across this site.

This article is general information about daily care, not veterinary advice. Petdentist® products are non-medicinal daily-care products for dogs and cats and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are worried about your pet, please see your vet. Petdentist® is the trading name of Pet Dentist L.L.C-FZ, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE. UK orders are dispatched from Northampton.