5 Signs of Dental Issues in Dogs and What to Do

If you’ve ever tried to brush your dog's teeth or get something out of their mouth, you know how difficult it can be to take care of their dental hygiene. They often fight to keep their head away or threaten to chomp down with their strong teeth. Did you know that a staggering 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some level of dental disease? While it can be easy to overlook our pup’s teeth, dental issues can cause them real pain and affect their overall health. 

Dental issues in dogs can sometimes be difficult to notice. We may not realise that there is a problem until we notice a whiff of stinky “doggy breath” or a pup skips their kibble. However, there are subtle clues that can show dog owners that their dog may be experiencing dental issues. 

Here are 5 signs of dental issues in dogs and what dog owners can do if they notice them. 

Sign 1: Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Halitosis refers to a persistent foul odour coming from the mouth. In dogs, halitosis is most commonly caused by bacteria from plaque or tartar buildup in their teeth. While a dog’s breath might not typically smell like roses, a strong odour that never goes away is a strong indicator that there’s a problem. 

What to do: Gently check your dog’s mouth if they’ll allow it – sometimes a piece of food stuck in the teeth or an obviously inflamed gum might be visible. If you don’t see any obvious problems, you should take your dog to the vet for a dental check-up to address the underlying cause. In the meantime, consider brushing your dog’s teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste or adding a dog-friendly water additive to their drinking bowl to freshen breath and reduce bacteria. 

Sign 2: Red or Swollen Gums

A dog’s gums, just like humans', should normally be a healthy pink colour. Any areas that are inflamed, bright red, or bleeding are signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease and should be treated immediately to prevent it from getting worse. Gingivitis in dogs can be caused by irritation from plaque and bacteria, and can be very painful, even if your pup does its best to hide it. 

What to do: If you notice inflamed or bleeding gums in your dog’s mouth, it’s time to take action. Schedule a vet dental exam to see how advanced the gum disease is and if a professional cleaning is needed. Going forward, improve your at-home dental routine with regular brushing and daily use of our Dental Supplement. If brushing is new to your pup, start slow and use positive rewards. The goal is to reduce bacteria and plaque so the inflammation goes down.

Sign 3: Visible Tartar Buildup or Yellow-Brown Teeth

Does your dog have a crusty brown or yellow coating on their teeth? This is caused by the buildup of soft plaque, which over time hardens into tartar and looks like a yellow or brown crust on the surface of the teeth (especially near the gums). This is a clear sign of dental issues in dogs and can lead to irritated gums, gum recession, and even damage to tooth roots. 

What to do: Unfortunately, tartar is very stubborn. Once it’s formed, brushing alone usually can’t remove it, and it often needs to be scraped off in a professional cleaning. If you see heavy tartar, plan a veterinary dental cleaning to get those teeth back to white and smooth. Your vet will safely scale off the tartar and check to see if it has caused any other dog dental problems. After a cleaning, focus on prevention by providing dental chews and special dental diets that help scrub away plaque before it turns into tartar. In fact, some dental treats and diets can reduce plaque by nearly 70% in dogs.

Sign 4: Difficulty Eating or Chewing

Dogs with toothaches and sore gums will often start chewing their food in a strange way or may resist eating altogether. If you notice that your dog is eating very slowly, dropping food from the mouth, chewing on only one side of their mouth, or refusing any hard treats, they could be experiencing dog tooth decay or dental problems. 

What to do: Don’t dismiss changes in your dog’s eating behaviour as something normal. This requires a closer look, which you can do at home! If you can safely inspect your dog’s mouth on your own, look inside to see if there are any broken teeth or swollen gums. Whether you find the culprit or not, it’s best to get a veterinarian to examine your dog’s teeth if the trouble eating persists. The vet can use professional tools to check for issues such as a decayed tooth, abscess, or advanced gum disease. They can also help to treat these issues quickly to alleviate your pup’s pain. 

Sign 5: Excessive Drooling or Pawing at the Mouth

Does your dog drool at the sight of their favourite treat? This is very common and typically nothing to worry about, but excessive drool at random times can be a signal of a dental problem in your dog’s mouth. If the drool is also tinged with blood, this is a serious warning sign that your dog may have an injury in their mouth or be experiencing dental disease. 

Similarly, a dog that paws at their mouth or rubs their face on the carpet/furniture is likely trying to soothe discomfort or dislodge something

What to do: If you observe sudden heavy drooling or your dog pawing at the mouth repeatedly, try to check for any obvious cause. For example, a stick or toy piece stuck between the teeth or an injured gum may be the culprit. If you see blood, severe redness, or a broken tooth, keep your dog comfortable and contact your vet for a dental appointment as soon as possible. Even if you can’t find anything visually, don’t ignore these signals of pain. A veterinarian will need to examine your pup’s mouth (often under sedation) to find the hidden issue. It could be a bad tooth root, an ulcer, or a gum infection.

Supporting your dog’s dental care

Just as it is with us humans, your dog’s dental care is critical in taking care of their overall well-being. Oral bacteria, untreated infections, and plaque buildup can affect their organs over time, leading to more severe dental problems. 

What you can do as their loyal owner is take a little extra time to care for their canine teeth by brushing your dog’s teeth, providing them with dental care chew toys (such as this one), and giving them dental health supplements for dogs. Keep an eye out for signs of a problem and make sure you visit your vet quickly if you notice any issues. A regular, yearly tooth cleaning can also help to prevent problems before they arise.