Dental Tips - Vet Advice from Vet Dr Scott Miller

Does your dog have smelly breath? (making those cuddles slightly unbearable!) or are you curious to see if your dog has good dental hygiene but you're unsure how to check their gums and teeth?

At Barking Heads, we know just how difficult it can be to check your dogs teeth, that's why we have our Vet Dr Scott Miller, here to share his top tips on how to check and clean your dogs teeth, along with any signs of dental disease to look out for and ways to prevent and manage this.

How to check your dogs teeth from Vet Dr Scott Miller & Barking Heads

Dental disease is commonly seen in practice but is also something you can keep an eye on at home - especially if your dog gets a little bit stressed going back and forth to the vets!

Dr Scott Miller says: "Dental health is incredibly important to the overall health and wellbeing of our pets. On average it is thought that 30% of dogs will suffer some level of dental disease as young as three years of age, with build-up of tartar and gum disease (gingivitis) leading to bad breath, discomfort and tooth decay and loss. The amount of bacteria which live in the mouth of a dog is substantial, which can have serious health implications by affecting the kidney, liver and heart. Regular dental health checks with your Vet are important, though regular brushing and the use of diets or chews to help clean teeth is key to battling dental disease in dogs at home."

How do I check my dogs teeth?

Dr Scott Miller advises the best way to check your dogs teeth is to gently open their mouth, examine all of the teeth, from the canines, pre molars, molars, to the incisors at front.

Look for any tartar build up (brownish staining to the teeth) and gingivitis (inflammation & irritation to the gums from bacteria). The gums should be a light pink colour. If you see a dark pink strip along the gum line, this could suggest gingivitis!

How do I try to prevent and manage dental disease?

Dr Scott Miller recommends the following top tips!

Dry Food to help clean the teeth and remove tarter build up

Teeth Brushing - How do I clean my dogs teeth? Dr Scott Miller advises using a finger brush or a dog-friendly toothbrush with dog or cat dental gel. No human toothpaste as this contains a sweetener called xylitol which is toxic to dogs!

Barking Heads Floss 'N' Gloss Dental Sticks - a lower in calorie treat that will help prevent tartar build up and keep gums nice and healthy. The perfect solution if you struggle with brushing your dogs teeth!

Vet, Dr Scott Miller and Barking Heads

Do you ever ask the question, "Is my dog overweight?" but you're not sure? Read our "Is my Dog Overweight? Blog by Barking Heads and Vet Dr Scott Miller"

*The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified pet health provider with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s health*