Help! My dog has bad breath Have you noticed that your dog is suffering from bad breath (halitosis) or dental disease (bad teeth or gums)? Dental disease is often picked up at their annual health check by your vet. Dental problems are easy to spot and there are steps you can take at home to reduce dental disease. In this article we will look at the causes and signs of dental disease, how you can help your pet and when to seek vet advice. Are you concerned about your pet? Meet a vet online!Included free as part of many pet insurance policiesHelp, treatment and if you need it, a referral to your local vetOpen 24/7, 365 days a year Book an appointment Causes of bad breath in dogsIn a healthy mouth, the gums should be uniformly pale pink and moist, and the teeth should be shiny and white (the crown), including the molars at the very back of the mouth! Bad breath isn’t normal and can be caused by many different things. For example, dental disease, diet, things stuck in the mouth, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, airway infections or full anal glands. In rare cases bad breath can be a sign of an oral mass or tumour, so regular check ups with your vet particularly where bad breath is present are very important.When plaque (white/cream soft deposit) builds up it becomes calculus, also known as tartar. Tartar is a hard, brown material that sticks to your dog’s teeth, allowing bacteria to lodge on the surface. Plaque and calculus cause inflammation of the gum, which is called gingivitis. This usually affects the area of gum closest to the tooth. Gingivitis is identifiable as red, swollen or bleeding gums.If an inflamed gum is not treated, it allows bacteria in the plaque to penetrate the tooth below the gum line. The bond between the tooth and the gum weakens, forming pockets of bacteria, which cause further tooth damage. At this stage, gingivitis is usually painful but can still be reversed with prompt treatment to remove the plaque and calculus.Inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth is called periodontitis. Left untreated, periodontitis damages the structure of the tooth and the surrounding ligament. It also destroys the bone underneath the gum line, loosening the tooth, which can result in tooth loss. Bacteria from the damaged tissues are released into the bloodstream and can cause heart disease, such as endocarditis.Signs of dental disease in dogsBad breathRed, inflamed or angry-looking gumsDrooling/excess salivationA change in eating behaviour: reluctance to eat, chewing on one side, gulping food, preferring wet food, no longer wanting to chew normal treats, or vocalising when they chew something firmer than normalNo longer wanting to play with toysFacial swelling: may indicate an abscessTooth lossDental care for dogsPrevention: brushing your dog’s teeth everyday is the best way to remove and prevent plaque build upUse a dog finger toothbrush or a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. For example, Vetruus Stomodine, Logic Oral Hygiene Gel or Virbac Enzymatic Toothpaste Poultry ToothpasteYour dog will take time to get used to having their teeth brushed. Advice on how to start brushing your dog’s teeth can be found on the Virbac websiteIf you are finding it difficult to brush your dog's teeth, other methods of plaque reduction are available, but they are designed to complement brushing:Water additives: for example, Virbac AquadentOral rinses: for example, Virbac HexarinseSeaweed supplements: for example, ProDen PlaqueOff® PowderChange your dog’s diet - dry food is more abrasive than wet food, and may help to prevent plaque build-up. Specialised dental diets are designed to clean teeth by chewing. For example, Royal Canin Dental, or Hills t/d, which comes in two different sizes to suit smaller dogs as well as large breedsChoose a good quality brand that is low in sugar if your dog will only eat wet foodEncourage your dog to play with rope toys; the fibres will rub against their teeth as they chewDog dental chews - these can be beneficial but can be high in calories. Any chew which your dog chews for several minutes- eg 20-230 minutes 1-2 times per week will help keep your dog’s teeth cleanTreatment of dental disease in dogsOnce plaque is attached to the tooth surface, it can only be removed by mechanical means. Toothbrushing will remove mild plaque. However, ultrasonic descaling and polishing is needed for more advanced cases to remove your dog’s dental plaque. A general anaesthetic will be required to enable thorough descaling and polishing, and to assess the health of the teeth and gums. Dental radiographs may be offered, which assess the tooth roots and identify any changes within the crown of the tooth. Whilst under anaesthetic, extractions of any teeth that have an infected root or fracture may be recommended.When to see your vetYour dog has bad breathYou see any of the signs of dental disease mentioned aboveYour dog has a sore mouth, or a change in eating or chewing behaviourStill worried?Book a video appointment to have a chat with one of our vets.