Help! My dog has bad breath

Causes of bad breath in dogs

In 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 dogs

• Bad breath

• Red, inflamed or angry-looking gums

• Drooling/excess salivation

• A 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 normal

• No longer wanting to play with toys

• Facial swelling: may indicate an abscess

• Tooth loss

Dental care for dogs

• Prevention: brushing your dog’s teeth everyday is the best way to remove and prevent plaque build up

• Use a dog finger toothbrush or a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. For example, Vetruus Stomodine, Logic Oral Hygiene Gel or Virbac Enzymatic Toothpaste Poultry Toothpaste

• Your 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 website

• If 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 Aquadent

  • Oral rinses: for example, Virbac Hexarinse

  • Seaweed supplements: for example, ProDen PlaqueOff® Powder

• Change 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 breeds

• Choose a good quality brand that is low in sugar if your dog will only eat wet food

• Encourage your dog to play with rope toys; the fibres will rub against their teeth as they chew

• Dog 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 clean

Treatment of dental disease in dogs

Once 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 vet

• Your dog has bad breath

• You see any of the signs of dental disease mentioned above

• Your dog has a sore mouth, or a change in eating or chewing behaviour

Still worried?

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