How do I know if my dog needs a dental exam?

The most common thing we see with dogs is that the owners notice bad breath. That is one of the common symptoms. Other things to look for are if they're dropping their food, if they're eating slower than they typically used to, if they're not eating as much, if they're shy from you being around their head—any changes like that could be an indication that your dog needs dental care. Now, the hard part about dogs, and cats for that matter, when it comes to their mouths is they don't typically show you any signs of pain. It’s essential to come in for regular wellness visits so that we can evaluate the mouth and determine if there's anything off because most of the time when we find something, the owners are unaware.

Well, every pet needs a dental exam. There's just no doubt about it—a minimum of once a year, preferably twice a year. And we do dental exams every time your pet comes to see us, so a sick exam also includes a dental exam. If the dog has not had a dental exam in a year, they need it.

Determining if your dog needs a dental exam can be difficult, as dogs are usually quiet about their dental needs. Bad breath or chewing issues might be the only noticeable signs. Most of the time, veterinarians discover oral health problems during your dog's general checkup or preventive care exam.

It is generally recommended to have a dental exam for your dog every 6 to 12 months as part of their regular physical. However, if your dog starts to show signs of a painful mouth such as pawing at their mouth, having difficulty chewing, or if their breath worsens significantly, it could indicate that they need a dental exam sooner.

Through routine evaluation by your veterinarian, they will evaluate the mouth and see if there's development of tartar or calculus on the teeth, redness to the gums, sometimes the teeth become mobile and loose, sometimes they can be broken. These are all things that lead us to believe that we probably need to get our dog's teeth cleaned.