August 15, 2026
Dental disease in dogs is extremely common, painful and potentially damaging to their overall health. Regular veterinary dental checks, daily brushing and suitable dental-care products can help prevent plaque from progressing to gum disease, infection and tooth loss.
More than 80% of dogs over the age of three have some degree of periodontal disease, with small dogs particularly at risk. Unfortunately, dogs often hide dental pain, so the problem may be advanced before their owner notices anything is wrong.
Dental disease in dogs usually begins when bacteria and food particles combine to form a sticky film called plaque.
If plaque is not regularly removed, it can harden into tartar, also known as dental calculus. Bacteria can then spread below the gumline, causing inflammation and damage to the tissues supporting the teeth.
Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums. Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of periodontal disease, in which the tissues and bone supporting the teeth become damaged.
Dental disease in dogs doesn’t just cause bad breath and tooth loss. Periodontal disease has also been associated with changes affecting other parts of the body, including the heart, liver and kidneys, which is another reason good dog dental care is so important.
More than 80% of dogs over three are estimated to have some degree of periodontal disease. It is especially common in small and toy breeds, which often have crowded or misaligned teeth that trap plaque more easily.
Age, genetics, diet, retained baby teeth and a lack of regular dental care can all increase a dog’s risk.
Very few owners brush their dog’s teeth every day, even though regular brushing is one of the most effective ways to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. It is often worse for cats, with few cat owners brushing their cats teeth or feeding them raw bones.
Dogs instinctively hide pain and may continue eating despite severe dental disease. This doesn’t mean their mouth isn’t hurting.
I see too many dogs, particularly those weighing less than 10kg, reach their later years with teeth so badly affected that many need to be removed. Their owners are often shocked because the dog was still eating and seemed happy.
It is only after the painful teeth have been treated or removed that they realise how uncomfortable their dog had been. Many even say their dog is behaving like a puppy again.
Signs of dental disease in dogs can include:
If you notice any of these signs, arrange a veterinary dental examination rather than trying to clean the teeth at home. Brushing an already inflamed or painful mouth can make the discomfort worse.
Your veterinarian will begin with an oral examination to assess your dog’s teeth, gums and overall mouth health.
However, much of the damage caused by periodontal disease occurs below the gumline and cannot be identified during a visual examination alone. If there is tartar, gum inflammation, bleeding or suspected dental disease, your vet may recommend a more thorough examination under general anaesthetic.
This allows the veterinary team to examine every surface of each tooth, probe below the gumline and take dental X-rays to identify issues affecting the tooth roots and surrounding bone.
Dental disease in dogs and cats is graded using a system that takes into account amount of plaque, tartar, inflammation and periodontal disease which is an irreversible destructive process involving the loss of the tooth’s supporting structures.
Grade 1 is when there is plaque build-up, inflamed gums, but no bone loss or periodontal disease.
Grade 2 is when you can see the plaque and calculus extending down, pocket forming, mild gingival recession and bone loss.
Grade 3 is a greater degree of those symptoms mentioned above and more significant bone loss and possible ulceration of gingiva.
Grade 4 is all of the above in severe form and the bone loss leading to loose teeth.
Dental disease and periodontitis if left untreated can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease as well as jaw fractures so, as the old saying goes, “prevention is much better than cure”.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the dental disease.
A professional scale and polish under general anaesthetic removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. The teeth are then polished to create a smoother surface that makes it more difficult for plaque to reattach.
Loose, fractured, infected or severely damaged teeth may need to be removed. Although owners can understandably feel worried about extractions, dogs generally feel much better once a source of chronic pain and infection has been treated.
Home dental products cannot remove advanced disease below the gumline or repair damaged teeth. Veterinary treatment must come first, followed by a regular home-care routine to help slow the return of plaque.
General anaesthesia allows your veterinarian to safely and thoroughly examine and clean all surfaces of your dog’s teeth, including below the gumline.
It also enables dental X-rays to be taken and painful or damaged teeth to be treated during the same procedure.
The anaesthetic plan should be tailored to the individual dog. Your veterinarian may recommend blood and urine tests beforehand, particularly for senior dogs or those with existing medical conditions. Additional precautions can include intravenous fluids, careful drug selection and close monitoring of blood pressure, temperature, oxygen levels and other vital signs.
Age alone is not a disease and doesn’t automatically mean a dog cannot safely undergo an anaesthetic. Your vet will assess the risks and benefits based on your dog’s overall health.
Be cautious about anaesthetic-free dental cleaning. Scraping visible tartar from the surface of a dog’s teeth may make them look cleaner, but it does not address plaque and disease below the gumline. Without dental X-rays, painful disease affecting the roots and supporting bone may also be missed.
Restraining a conscious dog while instruments are placed in their mouth can be frightening and stressful. There is also no safe way to thoroughly examine all sides of every tooth, probe below the gums or treat painful problems while the dog is awake.
Anaesthetic-free cleaning is therefore largely cosmetic and may create a false sense that the mouth is healthy while disease continues out of sight.
A good dog dental-care routine combines:
No chew, supplement, food or additive should be considered a replacement for veterinary dental care or regular brushing. However, these products can provide useful additional support.
Caring for your dog’s teeth should be part of their regular routine. Imagine how your mouth would feel if you never brushed your teeth—it is no different for our dogs.
I strongly advise puppy owners to introduce toothbrushing early using a dog-specific toothpaste and a suitable toothbrush or finger brush. For very small dogs, a soft toddler’s toothbrush can also work well.
Never use human toothpaste because dogs swallow the paste and some human ingredients, particularly xylitol, can be highly toxic to them.
The Shy Tiger Soothe + Dental Natural Toothpaste and Finger Brush Duo provides a dog-safe toothpaste with a soft silicone finger brush. The toothpaste contains gentle cleaning ingredients, while the finger brush makes it easier to reach the outer surfaces of the teeth and along the gumline.
Start when your dog is calm and progress gradually:
Focus particularly on the outside surfaces of the teeth and around the gumline. Daily brushing is ideal, but brushing several times a week is still worthwhile if daily brushing isn’t initially achievable.
If your dog already has red or bleeding gums, heavy tartar, loose teeth or signs of dental pain, speak to your vet before beginning. Brushing a painful mouth can create a negative association and won’t treat existing disease below the gumline.
Some oral supplements contain the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, which may help reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar as part of a broader dental-care routine.
Unlike brushing or chewing, seaweed does not physically scrub the teeth. After it is consumed, compounds from the seaweed are thought to influence the oral environment through the saliva, making it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of dogs receiving Ascophyllum nodosum following professional dental cleaning found improvements in plaque, calculus, bad-breath compounds and some other oral-health measures.
The Shy Tiger Soothe + Dental Natural Oral Supplement contains Ascophyllum nodosum, along with calendula and aloe vera. It is designed to be added to food daily to support teeth, gums and fresher breath.
Seaweed supplements are best used to help maintain oral health and slow the return of plaque following veterinary treatment. They cannot remove disease below the gumline, fix a painful tooth or replace brushing and professional dental care.
Always follow the recommended dose and check with your veterinarian before introducing a supplement if your dog has a medical condition or takes medication.
Chewing suitable raw bones may help mechanically clean some dogs’ teeth. However, bones also carry risks, including fractured teeth, choking, constipation and intestinal obstruction.
Small dogs and dogs with existing dental disease may be particularly vulnerable to tooth fractures or digestive problems.
If you choose to offer a bone, it must be raw, appropriately sized and given under supervision. Never give dogs cooked bones, as these can splinter. Speak to your veterinarian first if you’re unsure whether bones are appropriate for your dog.
Some specially formulated dental diets use larger pieces and a particular fibre structure to provide a cleaning action as the dog bites into the food. This is different from ordinary dry food, which may simply crumble without providing meaningful contact with the teeth.
Dental food alone is not a complete answer to dental disease in dogs. It should be considered one possible part of a broader routine that includes veterinary checks and brushing.
It is important to also remember that dental diets tend to be ultra-processed kibble, which are high in carbohydrates, so learn more about the impact this can have on your dog’s long-term health HERE.
Not all dental chews are equal. Look for products with credible evidence behind their dental-health claims and make sure the chew is appropriate for your dog’s weight and chewing style.
One option I recommend is OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews. They contain delmopinol, which coats the teeth and creates a protective barrier that helps reduce bacterial attachment associated with plaque, tartar and bad breath. The chewing action also provides mechanical cleaning.
Choose the correct size, supervise your dog and follow the directions on the packaging. Dental chews and treats also contain calories, so include them when calculating your dog’s total daily food intake to help maintain a healthy weight.
Dental disease in dogs is a serious welfare issue that can cause significant and often hidden pain.
Daily brushing remains the best form of home dental care. A dog-safe toothpaste and finger brush can make the process easier, while appropriate dental chews and a seaweed-based oral supplement may provide additional support.
Most importantly, arrange regular veterinary dental checks and seek advice promptly if you notice bad breath, bleeding gums, eating changes or any other sign of dental discomfort.
Daily brushing is ideal because plaque begins reforming quickly. If daily brushing isn’t initially possible, aim for several times a week and build up gradually using positive reinforcement.
No. Dogs swallow toothpaste, and human products may contain ingredients that are unsafe for them. Xylitol is particularly dangerous to dogs. Always use toothpaste formulated specifically for pets.
Persistent bad breath is one of the most common signs of dental disease in dogs. It should not be dismissed as normal “dog breath”, particularly if it is accompanied by red gums, tartar, drooling or changes in eating.
Seaweed supplements containing Ascophyllum nodosum may help slow plaque and tartar accumulation, but they cannot reliably remove established disease below the gumline or treat damaged teeth. A veterinary dental procedure may be required first.
Brushing can remove soft plaque but cannot safely remove hardened tartar. Never try to scrape tartar from your dog’s teeth at home, as you could damage the enamel or gums and miss disease below the gumline.
No. Dental chews may help reduce plaque and tartar, but they work best alongside regular brushing and veterinary dental checks.
Many senior dogs can safely undergo dental procedures, but the individual risks must be assessed by a veterinarian. Pre-anaesthetic testing, tailored medications and careful monitoring help reduce those risks. Leaving painful dental disease untreated can also seriously affect a senior dog’s comfort and health.
Dogs are highly motivated to eat and instinctively hide pain. Many adapt by swallowing food with minimal chewing or using the less painful side of their mouth. Continuing to eat does not mean a dog’s teeth are healthy or pain-free.
About the Author: Dr. Nicole Rous is a holistic veterinarian and the founder of Shy Tiger, an Australian owned pet care company. With a passion for natural and holistic health practices, she operates Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery in Melbourne, providing modern, professional and affordable health care for pets. More at Shy Tiger and Mont Albert Vet.
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