Dog Teeth and Dental Health: Daily Care and Warning Signs
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By Dr Duncan Houston
Dogs can continue eating despite significant dental pain. That makes regular mouth checks and preventive care more useful than waiting for a dog to refuse food. Healthy-looking front teeth also tell you little about what is happening around the roots or beneath the gumline.
Quick Answer
Most dogs have 28 baby teeth and 42 adult teeth, with the adult set usually emerging by around six to seven months. Daily brushing with dog-safe toothpaste, regular veterinary assessment and suitable dental products help control plaque. Professional dental assessment and treatment require general anaesthesia with airway protection and monitoring, with timing based on the individual dog's needs.
From puppy teeth to the adult mouth
Baby teeth begin appearing in the first few weeks of life. Replacement with permanent teeth starts at roughly three to four months, although timing varies. Incisors sit at the front, canines are the pointed teeth, and premolars and molars sit farther back.
A baby tooth remaining beside an erupting adult tooth should be assessed promptly. It can crowd the mouth and affect tooth position; do not wait automatically for a future desexing appointment. The AAHA dental guidelines recommend attention to tooth eruption and abnormalities throughout development.
Teething can increase chewing, but facial swelling, substantial bleeding, difficulty eating or marked lethargy should not be dismissed as normal teething. Offer appropriately sized, yielding toys under supervision and remove damaged pieces.
Recognise common dental problems
| Problem | What you may notice | Why assessment matters |
|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis and periodontal disease | Bad breath, red gums, bleeding or loose teeth | Inflammation can progress to loss of supporting tissue around teeth. |
| Broken tooth | A missing piece, discolouration or chewing differently | The pulp may be exposed or damaged even if the dog still eats. |
| Persistent baby tooth | Two teeth occupying the same position | Crowding and abnormal contact can develop. |
| Painful tooth position | A tooth contacting the palate or another soft tissue | Trauma can occur whenever the mouth closes. |
| Oral swelling or mass | Facial swelling, a gum lump or persistent bleeding | An examination is needed to determine the cause. |
Arrange a veterinary visit for persistent bad breath, drooling, food dropping, mouth sensitivity or any change in chewing. Seek urgent care for major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or an inability to eat or drink comfortably.
Build a daily brushing habit
Plaque is a soft film that reforms on teeth. Brushing disrupts it before it becomes firmly mineralised tartar. The AAHA prevention guidance supports daily plaque control; brushing cannot reverse advanced periodontal damage or remove established deposits below the gums.
- Start with brief, rewarded handling around the face when your dog is relaxed.
- Introduce a soft brush and dog-safe toothpaste gradually.
- Gently lift the lip and brush the outer tooth surfaces near the gumline.
- Build duration as your dog becomes comfortable, rather than forcing the mouth open.
- Stop if handling causes pain or bleeding and arrange an assessment.
Do not use human toothpaste or sharp scaling tools. If the mouth is already painful, treatment should come before trying to establish brushing. Ask the veterinary team to demonstrate a comfortable technique.
Choose chews and products carefully
The Veterinary Oral Health Council's accepted-product list identifies products with evidence for specified plaque or tartar claims. Check the claim, species, size and instructions; acceptance does not mean every product suits every dog or replaces brushing and veterinary care.
Count edible chews within the daily food allowance and supervise their use. Avoid very hard objects such as bones, antlers and hooves, which can fracture teeth. AAHA's chewing safety advice also highlights the risks of hard items. Ordinary dry kibble is not automatically a dental diet, and cosmetic whitening tells you little about gum health.
What happens during professional dental care?
An awake examination helps identify concerns and plan care, but it cannot fully assess every tooth. Under general anaesthesia, the team can examine and chart the mouth, obtain dental radiographs, clean above and below the gums and treat painful disease.
The AAHA anaesthesia recommendations specify endotracheal intubation, monitoring and physiological support for dental procedures. Sedation alone or scraping visible tartar from an awake dog's teeth does not provide equivalent assessment and treatment.
Discuss the anaesthetic plan, relevant pre-procedure tests, pain relief and possible extractions before the appointment. The interval between procedures depends on disease, anatomy and home care; every dog does not need an identical annual treatment schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog eats normally. Can their teeth still hurt?
Yes. Dogs may adapt their chewing or continue eating despite discomfort, so appetite is not a reliable dental pain test.
Is an old dog too old for dental treatment?
Age alone does not decide suitability. The vet assesses health, treatment benefit and anaesthetic risk individually.
Can wipes replace a toothbrush?
They may help when brushing is difficult, depending on the product, but discuss how effectively they meet your dog's needs. They do not treat disease beneath the gums.
Should I pull out a loose puppy tooth?
No. Let your vet assess a troublesome or persistent tooth; pulling at home risks pain and injury.
Small daily habits and timely assessment can protect your dog's comfort. If you need help preparing dental-care questions for your veterinarian, contact ASK A VET™.
