Dental disease in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. Dental disease is a painful condition affecting a dog’s teeth and gums.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Dental disease is a painful and common condition in dogs.^[1] Many dogs with dental problems continue to eat even when they are uncomfortable and may not show symptoms.^[1]

Signs

Bad breath
Mouth pain
Difficulty eating, including chewing on one side
Reduced appetite or weight loss
Visible plaque or tartar
Red, sore or bleeding gums
Wobbly, missing or broken teeth
Drooling
Preferring soft food to biscuits
Swelling around the face, jaw or cheeks

Causes and risk factors

Poor dental hygiene
Age
Breed
Diet
Retained baby teeth
Overcrowding of teeth
Trauma
Tooth alignment

How a vet finds out

Ask about your dog’s symptoms
Examine your dog’s mouth
Physical examination
Blood tests
X-rays

How vets treat it

A dental procedure
A dental procedure under general anaesthetic
Antibiotics
Pain relief
Medication
Surgery
Anti-inflammatories

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Overview. Dental (tooth and gum) disease is a painful and common condition in dogs. It’s important to check your dog’s mouth regularly because most dogs with dental problems continue to eat even when they are uncomfortable and may not show any symptoms.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can dental disease cause in dogs?

Signs can include bad breath, difficulty eating, weight loss, reduced appetite, plaque or tartar, red or bleeding gums, wobbly or broken teeth, drooling and preferring soft food to biscuits.^[1]

When should I seek urgent veterinary help?

Contact your vet for an urgent appointment if your dog is unable to close their mouth or is in too much pain to eat.^[1]

How will a vet assess and treat dental disease?

Your vet will ask about your dog’s symptoms and examine their mouth; treatment is likely to include a dental procedure, which is safely done under general anaesthetic.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

The same page for cats →