7 Signs Your Dog is Overdue for a Dental Check

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If you see the symptoms described here, it is likely that your dog is already suffering from a dental disease and is possibly overdue for a detailed dental check. The most common dental problem (in fact health issue) in dogs is periodontitis, a.k.a gum infection.

We have split the signs up into two categories: physical and behavioural. If you suspect something is amiss, please bring your doggy to see a vet.

Physical Signs

First things first, many dental issues start below the gum line. The signs described below are considered ‘the tip of the iceberg’ i.e. a small portion of the deep-seated and hidden tooth damage. That is why very often, tooth extraction ends up being necessary by the time pet owners notice something amiss.

Gum line is visibly red which indicates gingivitis. Image Credit: Mary Krakowski Volker, DVM, DAVDC

1) Red and/or Bleeding Gums

Normal and healthy gums are pink in colour. When pressed, gums should lighten to a paler pink colour and then return to the normal pink colour when you take your finger off them.

Redness in your dog’s gums can mean several things. If your dog has not been under the sun or subject to hot weather conditions, you can rule out overheating or heat stroke as a cause of the redness. On the other hand, bright red gums are a sign of inflammation (gingivitis) or infection which can be caused by stomatitis or periodontitis. These dental diseases also make your dog’s gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding. What pet owners may notice is blood-tinged saliva, blood on chew toys or spots of blood in the dog’s bedding.

Calculus build-up on tooth with pus observed on the gums. Image Credit: Mary Krakowski Volker, DVM, DAVDC

2) Discoloured Teeth

Plaque is an invisible biofilm composed of mostly bacteria, salivary glycoproteins and extracellular polysaccharides that get stuck to the surface or gaps in the teeth. It is not food residue but an uneven or rough coating you can feel on your teeth in the morning before you brush. If not removed (via regular teeth-brushing), plaque mixed with minerals turns into a hard, yellowish or brownish substance called calculus/tartar.

Calculus cannot be removed easily i.e. you can’t brush it off. That is why effective calculus removal is only possible via teeth-scaling, where your vet uses a metal scaler to break off the tartar while your dog is put under anaesthesia. Getting your dog’s teeth cleaned by a groomer will not be sufficient, as they are usually only able to clean what can be seen, but not below the gum line where the calculus builds up and causes tooth decay.

3) Bad Breath

The bad smell starts from plaque build-up, which then becomes more permanent when it hardens into calculus. The culprit is the bacteria which has taken residency in your dog’s mouth.Your dog’s breath can worsen when periodontitis has advanced to the stage of tooth decay.

4) Excessive Drooling

Most dental diseases would cause your dog to drool more than normal because the oral tissues, in particular the gums are irritated and inflamed. This triggers your dog’s mouth to produce more saliva than usual.

Behavioural Signs

These are signs of discomfort or pain which also means the dental issues have become quite serious.

5) Pawing on the Face

6) Difficulty Eating

7) Loss of Appetite

Your dog is feeling absolutely miserable by now and you should bring him to see your vet immediately.

Don’t wait till dental diseases manifest these symptoms mentioned above. Start practising to brush your dog’s teeth today to save him a lot of pain and yourself a big medical bill.

Book a consult with us today if you notice any of the symptoms above or if you need tips on how to brush your dog’s teeth.