Complete Dog Dental Care Guide — Brushing & Periodontal Disease Prevention

Dog Dental Care: A Complete Guide for Breeders and Owners

Dog dental care is often overlooked by many dog owners, but it is extremely important care that determines the quality and length of a dog's life. Approximately 80% of dogs over 3 years old suffer from some form of periodontal disease, and periodontitis is not just an oral problem—it is a systemic disease that has adverse effects on organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Dog Oral Structure and Periodontal Disease

Adult dogs have 42 teeth in their mouth. Compared to humans, dogs' teeth are often pointed in shape, making them suitable for tearing and crushing food.

Periodontal disease begins with the accumulation of plaque. After eating, food residue and bacteria that adhere to the tooth surface mix together to form plaque, and if left untreated, it transforms into tartar within 3 to 5 days. Once it becomes tartar, it cannot be removed by brushing. Bacteria in the plaque and tartar cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), and as it progresses, it develops into periodontitis where the bone that supports the teeth (alveolar bone) dissolves.

As periodontal disease advances, it can cause the following serious problems: tooth loss, jaw fracture (especially common in small breed dogs), oronasal fistula (when tooth root infection reaches the nasal cavity), bacteremia (oral bacteria spread throughout the body via the bloodstream) leading to heart valve disease, kidney disease, and liver damage.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

If you notice any of the following symptoms, suspect periodontal disease and visit an animal hospital.

• Bad breath: The most noticeable sign. If the odor is foul, periodontitis is likely advanced
• Red or swollen gums: Healthy gums are pink. Red, swollen gums are a sign of gingivitis
• Bleeding gums: Gums bleed when brushing or chewing hard toys
• Increased drooling: Increased saliva or drool mixed with blood
• Change in appetite: Acts hungry but won't eat, chews only on one side, or avoids hard food
• Facial swelling: Swelling under the eyes or cheeks may indicate tooth root abscess
• Sneezing and nasal discharge: Infection of upper molar roots can cause nasal symptoms

Brushing Method

Daily brushing is ideal for dogs, but aim for at least 3 times per week.

What you'll need: Dog toothbrush (appropriate for your dog's size), dog toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste. Fluoride and xylitol are harmful to dogs). A silicone finger brush that fits on your finger is easy to use for dogs new to brushing.

Step 1 Get your dog used to mouth touching: Start by removing your dog's resistance to mouth handling. When your dog is relaxed, gently touch around their mouth. If they allow touching without objection, reward with a treat. Over several days, gradually progress to lifting their lips and gently touching their teeth and gums.

Step 2 Get your dog used to toothpaste: Dog toothpaste comes in flavors dogs enjoy, such as chicken or vanilla. Put a small amount on your finger and let them lick it to become familiar with the taste.

Step 3 Begin brushing: Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush, gently lift your dog's lip, and prioritize brushing the outside of the teeth (cheek side). Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the border between the tooth and gum, moving in small circular motions. Brushing just the outside has significant effect in preventing periodontal disease. While ideal to brush the inside (tongue side) as well, if your dog resists, it's important to continue with just the outside.

Step 4 Focus on back teeth: Periodontal disease most commonly occurs on the upper back teeth (fourth premolar and first molar). This area is close to salivary gland openings and tartar accumulates easily, so brush thoroughly here.

Supplementary Dental Care

While brushing is the main approach, supplementary care used in combination is effective.

Dental chews: VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) certified dental chews have recognized physical plaque removal effects from chewing. Greenies, OraVet, and VegaDent are typical examples. However, dental chews alone cannot replace brushing. Position them as supplementary care only.

Dental rinse/spray: Liquid products that inhibit oral bacteria. These can be used as supplementary care for dogs where brushing is difficult or on days when brushing intervals are longer. Some come as types mixed into drinking water.

Dental toys: Rope toys and rubber chew toys have an effect of scraping tooth surfaces through chewing. Be careful with overly hard toys (cow hooves, deer antlers, etc.) as they risk tooth fracture.

For homemade diets: If feeding homemade food, giving raw chicken wings with bones (only raw—cooked chicken bones are dangerous as they splinter) 1-2 times per week has the effect of removing plaque through the chewing action. However, there are risks of choking and digestive issues, so consult your veterinarian before doing this.

Scaling at Animal Hospitals

If tartar has accumulated, dental treatment at an animal hospital (scaling) is necessary.

Caution regarding non-anesthetic scaling: Some salons and clinics perform non-anesthetic tartar removal, but the Veterinary Dental Society does not recommend non-anesthetic scaling. While tartar on the tooth surface may be removed, the most important tartar within the periodontal pockets cannot be removed, and the stress of fear and pain felt by the dog is significant.

Scaling under general anesthesia: Under general anesthesia, tartar is removed using an ultrasonic scaler, and the periodontal pockets are cleaned with a curette. X-rays are taken as needed to check the condition of the tooth roots. Severely diseased teeth may be extracted. Blood tests before anesthesia confirm the overall health condition, and safety is ensured before the procedure.

Cost and frequency: Scaling typically costs 30,000-80,000 yen (including general anesthesia and x-rays). Frequency depends on your dog's oral condition, but one-time scaling every 1-2 years is often recommended. Continuing daily brushing can reduce the frequency of scaling needed.

Breed-Specific Considerations

Dental trouble risk varies by breed.

Small breeds (Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, etc.) are a high-risk group for periodontal disease because their small jaws cause teeth to be crowded. Retained baby teeth (where baby teeth don't fall out and exist alongside permanent teeth) are also common in small breeds, and if baby teeth remain, tartar accumulates more easily. If baby teeth haven't fallen out by 7 months of age, consult your veterinarian.

Short-muzzled breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, etc.) have poor tooth alignment with many overlapping teeth, making them prone to plaque accumulation.

Trust Breeders Who Care About Dental Health at Bri-Choku

Genetic factors are involved in dogs' dental health. At Bri-Choku, you can directly welcome puppies from breeders who consider dental health in their breeding. You can also consult with breeders about how to start dental care and care methods suitable for your dog's breed.