Dog Dental Care: What to Do and How Often

Periodontal disease - infection and inflammation of the structures supporting the teeth - affects the majority of dogs over three years old in the UK. It's the most common health condition in adult dogs, and it's largely preventable.

It's also frequently dismissed as cosmetic, which it isn't. Severe dental disease is painful, affects eating, and is associated with systemic conditions including kidney and heart disease through bacteria entering the bloodstream. A dog with advanced periodontal disease is a dog who's been uncomfortable for some time, often without making it obvious. The PDSA PAW Mini Report 2025 found that dental disease is one of the most consistently under-addressed welfare concerns in UK dogs - with vets regularly identifying it as a top welfare issue during routine examinations.

What happens without dental care

Plaque - the film of bacteria that forms on tooth surfaces - mineralises into tartar within about 72 hours if it isn't removed. Once tartar forms, it can't be brushed away and requires professional scaling under anaesthesia to remove.

Tartar creates a rough surface that accumulates more bacteria. Bacteria work their way below the gumline, causing gingivitis (gum inflammation), then periodontitis (destruction of the bone and tissue supporting the tooth), then tooth loss.

This process is gradual and essentially irreversible once it progresses. The goal of dental care is preventing plaque from mineralising - which means removing it regularly, before it has 72 hours to harden.

Daily brushing

Daily tooth brushing is the most effective home dental care option available. Studies consistently show it reduces plaque accumulation more effectively than any other single intervention. The PDSA recommends daily brushing as the gold standard for home dental care - yet most UK dog owners do not currently brush their dog's teeth at all, making dental disease one of the most preventable yet widespread conditions in adult dogs.

The technique matters. You're trying to clean below the gumline, not just the tooth surface. Use a dog-specific toothbrush (or a finger brush for small dogs) and dog toothpaste - never human toothpaste, which contains fluoride and xylitol, both toxic to dogs. Angle the brush at 45 degrees to the gumline and use small circular motions.

Starting in puppyhood makes this much easier. A puppy who's had their mouth handled and teeth brushed from eight weeks old typically accepts it as normal. An adult dog who's never had their mouth touched requires gradual desensitisation - small increments over weeks, with positive reinforcement at every stage.

If daily brushing genuinely isn't achievable, three to four times a week provides meaningful benefit. Less than that, the 72-hour mineralisation window starts to become a problem.

Dental chews and water additives

Dental chews - specifically those with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval - have evidence behind them. The mechanical abrasion of chewing and specific active ingredients in VOHC-approved products help reduce plaque. They're not a substitute for brushing, but they're a useful addition.

Rawhide and raw bones are sometimes suggested. Raw meaty bones do help reduce tartar in dogs who eat them, but they carry risks: intestinal obstruction, tooth fractures, and bacterial contamination. If you use raw bones, supervise and use appropriately sized bones (large enough that the dog can't swallow them whole).

Water additives work by adding antimicrobial compounds to drinking water. Some have VOHC approval. They're easy to use and may help reduce bacterial load, though they're less well-studied than brushing.

Professional dental cleaning

Even with good home care, most dogs benefit from professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia every one to three years, depending on their individual plaque accumulation rate, diet, and genetics. Small breeds and brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs) tend to need more frequent professional cleaning due to crowded or misaligned teeth.

A professional clean under anaesthesia allows the vet to scale below the gumline, assess each tooth individually, take dental X-rays, and extract any teeth that are non-viable. This can't be done effectively in a conscious dog.

"Anaesthesia-free dental cleaning" - offered by some groomers and non-veterinary services - removes visible tartar from tooth surfaces but does nothing below the gumline where the disease actually develops. It's cosmetic, not therapeutic, and can create a false impression of dental health.

Monitoring at home

See our dental disease condition guide for a full monitoring checklist and what to log for your vet.

Check your dog's mouth monthly. Look for:

• Tartar accumulation (yellow or brown deposits on teeth, typically starting at the gumline on the upper back teeth)
• Red or swollen gums
• Any teeth that appear broken or discoloured
• Reluctance to chew on one side
• Dropping food, taking longer to eat, loss of appetite
• Any swelling around the face or jaw

Bad breath is normal in mild form; persistent very bad breath (beyond normal "dog breath") often indicates active infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog won't let me brush their teeth. What should I do? Start over, more gradually. Begin by just touching the muzzle with your hand while giving treats. Progress to briefly touching the lips, then the teeth, then introducing the brush with paste but not brushing at first. Each stage should be comfortable before moving to the next. Some dogs need weeks at each stage. It's worth the investment - a dog who tolerates dental care for life is much healthier than one who doesn't.

How do I know if my dog has dental pain? Dogs rarely yelp or refuse food over dental pain - they tend to keep eating because they have no choice. Signs are subtler: eating more slowly, dropping food, favouring one side, reluctance to chew toys, behaviour change around the muzzle and head. If your dog's mouth hasn't been checked recently and they've never had a professional clean, assume there's likely some dental disease present and book an assessment.

Is general anaesthesia safe for dental cleaning? Modern veterinary anaesthesia is generally very safe for healthy dogs. The risks of dental disease left untreated - pain, systemic infection, tooth loss - typically outweigh the anaesthetic risk for most dogs. Your vet will assess your specific dog before recommending anaesthesia.

What age should I start brushing my dog's teeth? As early as possible - ideally from when your puppy arrives home. Puppies lose their baby teeth between three and seven months, but getting them comfortable with mouth handling and toothbrushing before then means the adult teeth are brushed from the start.