Dog Dental Care Basics: Brushing, Cleanings, Signs

Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems seen in dogs. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says studies show 80 to 90 percent of dogs over age 3 have some component of it, and that it is more common in small breeds and increases with age³. A 2020 peer-reviewed paper from Sweden describes a similar range, 80 to 89 percent in dogs over 3, citing earlier studies⁶. AAHA puts it more simply: most pets develop some degree of dental disease by age 3².

These figures come from different studies and groups of dogs, so treat them as a general picture, not an exact number for your dog. The key point is that the problem is common and is often missed. Cornell notes that periodontal disease is usually not recognized until it is advanced, because early signs are often absent and the main cause, plaque under the gums, cannot be seen in a routine look at the mouth³.

Cornell lists several signs that can go with painful dental disease³:

• Pawing or rubbing at the mouth
• Drooling
• Decreased appetite or taking longer to finish meals
• Carrying food away from the bowl or dropping it before eating
• Mouth odor
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Reluctance to chew favorite toys
• Withdrawal or aggressive behavior

Cornell also says that if you notice these signs, the disease is probably already advanced³. Bad breath and visible tartar are the signs owners see most often. In the Swedish survey of nearly 60,000 dog owners, about 48 percent reported bad breath at least to some degree and about 37 percent reported tartar on their dog’s teeth⁶. These are owner reports, not veterinary exams, so they show what owners notice, not how many dogs have disease.

The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) recommends daily dental home care from an early age, including brushing or other effective ways to slow plaque buildup, such as dental diets and chew materials¹. Cornell calls a good daily home program, along with regular professional cleanings, the best approach to preventing periodontal disease³. Cornell’s dental specialist also advises slow, positive-reinforcement training, and notes that brushing teeth that are already inflamed can be uncomfortable and make a dog less willing to cooperate later³. If your dog’s gums look red or sore, ask your vet before starting.

What the VOHC is. The Veterinary Oral Health Council reviews trial data that companies submit for dental products and awards a Seal of Acceptance to products that meet its standards for slowing plaque, tartar, or both. The VOHC states that it does not test products itself⁴. Its protocol requires trials of at least 28 days with a control group. For chews and dental diets, the standard is a statistically supported reduction of at least 15 percent in a trial, and an average of at least 20 percent across two trials⁵.

What the seal does not mean. It shows a product reduced plaque or tartar in a trial. It does not mean a product treats existing gum disease. The VOHC notes it does not award a gingivitis claim⁵. Seal products are an add-on to brushing and vet care, not a replacement. You can look up accepted products on the VOHC website.

A veterinary dental cleaning is more than scraping tartar. Cornell describes a physical exam and pre-anesthetic testing, then general anesthesia with continuous monitoring, a full oral exam, measurement of gum pockets, full-mouth dental X-rays, and scaling above and below the gum line, with extractions if a tooth is diseased³. AAHA notes that about 60 percent of each tooth lies below the gum line, where problems such as bone loss and abscesses can be missed without X-rays².

Anesthesia-free scaling. AAHA’s dental guidelines state that anesthesia-free dentistry is not acceptable because of safety, efficacy, and ethical concerns, and that awake scaling removes only the tartar visible above the gum line². The AVDC calls it “non-professional dental scaling.” Its statement says the most important part of scaling is below the gum line, which cannot be reached in an unanesthetized dog, and that removing visible tartar alone is cosmetic and can give a false sense of accomplishment¹. It also says a complete oral exam is not possible in an awake dog¹.

Is anesthesia safe? The AVDC acknowledges that anesthesia is never completely risk-free, but says modern veterinary practice minimizes the risk¹. AAHA lists precautions such as blood and urine tests beforehand, an exam the morning of the procedure, an IV catheter, and a breathing tube². If you are worried, ask your vet how they screen and monitor dogs. Your dog’s own age and health history matter, and only your vet can weigh them.

Book a visit if you notice any of the signs above, especially bad breath that is new or getting worse, drooling, bleeding, a loose or broken tooth, swelling of the face or jaw, or a change in how your dog eats or chews. Dogs often hide pain, so a subtle change in eating habits can matter. Ask your vet to check the mouth at routine exams and to tell you how often your dog should have a dental evaluation. Call the vet promptly, not at the next routine visit, if your dog refuses food or seems to be in pain.

Cornell says periodontal disease has been linked to liver and heart disease³, and AAHA says advanced dental disease can affect other parts of the body². An association is not proof that dental disease causes those problems in an individual dog. Prevalence numbers also vary by study, breed, and how disease is defined. And the AVDC position statement we reviewed was adopted in 2004, so check with your vet for any newer guidance¹.