Dental health has prime importance in the overall well-being of all dogs, not only small dogs. However a small dog is particularly prone to bad teeth, and you might find yourself asking “Why does my small dog have bad teeth?”
With poor oral health, small dogs face a lot of health problems.
Most commonly, the digestive system is affected directly, and then due to poor absorption and assimilation of food, overall health declines.
Dog’s teeth are very important in maintaining good health. You should make a brushing schedule for your dog’s teeth and follow it regularly to avoid teeth decay and tartar buildup.
In this article we will talk about:
- small dog teeth problems
- reasons for bad breath in small dogs
- different tips to keep dog’s teeth healthy.
How To Tell If Your Small Dog Has Bad Teeth
Small dogs with bad teeth are one of the most commonly encountered problems by small pet parents and veterinarians. If proper care isn’t taken, it is almost impossible for small dogs to live their life without developing dental disease. Loss of teeth, bad breath, tartar and plaque buildup, bleeding gums, gingivitis, and periodontal disease are the common complaints seen in small dogs. So, it is important to provide your dog’s teeth with regular brushing, dental treats, and professional dental checkups to prevent bad breath, gum diseases and other periodontal diseases.
What Small Dog Breed Has The Worst Teeth?
Many small breeds have bad teeth but pugs are considered the dog breed that has the worst teeth. Pug’s dental problems start after they develop 42 adult teeth between 4 and 9 months of their age.
Pugs are the little cuties but due to their small jaws, they suffer from crowding of teeth. So, one of the riskiest smaller dog breeds is pugs with periodontal disease.
Firstly, their teeth are not lined up correctly.
Secondly, tooth crowding leads to bacterial build-up and gingivitis (inflammation of gums).
When the tooth’s structure gets deteriorated, it leads to serious problems like bad breath and brittle teeth and causes pain.
When you try to brush their teeth at home, it can cause a little problem for you due to overcrowding. If you own a pug, take them regularly for a dental cleaning to the professional.
Other small breeds like chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles also have bad teeth and dental problems.
Are Small Dogs Prone To Dental Problems?
Dental health issues are more common in small dogs due to their anatomy of the mouth.
Small dogs can’t chew their food much; they become prone to dental problems more because of the calculus and tartar buildup.
If you have a small dog breed, you should ensure a regular check-up of your pup to get rid of this problem.
Are small dogs more prone to bad breath?
Bad breath issues are reported more commonly in small dogs.
Bad breath isn’t just the foul smell; it originates from some seriously inflamed gums, plaque buildup, or some other gums disease.
One of the biggest reasons behind the bad breath is periodontal ailments of dogs.
To identify dental illness associated with bad breath such as gum disease, you have to keep in mind some certain signs which are stated below:
- Receding gum
- Discolored teeth
- Loose or missing teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Bloody saliva
- Sneezing or nasal discharge
If you find all or some of above-mentioned signs in your dog, this can be the primary cause of bad dog breath. It is important to consult a veterinary dentist for help with these issues.
Is it bad that I never brush my small dog’s teeth?
Yes, it is bad for your dog’s dental health if you do not brush your small dog’s teeth. Small dogs need extra teeth cleaning and brushing than larger dogs.
It is important you use a toothpaste especially formulated for dog’s teeth, human toothpaste is too strong for small dogs.
Without brushing your pet’s teeth you are putting your dog at risk for serious dental problems from gum disease, tooth decay or gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease.
These can also lead to a painful severe life-threatening situation if the infection spreads to other body parts through their blood.
If you haven’t been punctual in cleaning your dog’s teeth and you suspect periodontal disease, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
Can I scrape tartar off my small dog’s teeth?
Yes, you can scrape the tartar off your small dog’s teeth using the finger toothbrush. But it takes a lot of training as your small dog won’t sit still during the procedure.
I made this mistake of not starting a regular routine of brushing, now my dog Victor, a toy poodle cross, will not let me near his mouth.
If your dog has a severe tartar buildup, it is recommended to take your small dog to the veterinary dentist for complete dental cleaning.
I am at this stage with Victor, he needs to have his teeth cleaned by our vet to remove tartar buildup.
How Can I Keep My Small Dog’s Teeth Healthy?
It is very important to maintain the oral hygiene of your small dog to avoid bad breath, plaque buildup, loss of the tooth, or tooth decay.
Here are some tips that will help you keep your dog’s teeth healthy:
- Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way possible to avoid calculus buildup and promote good oral health.
- You can use tooth wipes to quickly clean your small dog bad teeth.
- Give your dog dental treats or chews will help keep his teeth healthy and clean.
- Dental sprays are also a new solution in trend nowadays for keeping your canine’s teeth and breath clean.
- Professional teeth cleaning will ensure your dog’s teeth have proper dental health maintenance.
- Maintain a healthy diet for your pup.
More Reading: Dog Food Nutrition: What To Give and What To Avoid
How often do small dog teeth need to be cleaned?
Small dogs need regular finger brushing with tasty dog toothpaste at least twice a week depending upon your dog’s dental health.
Large dog teeth need professional cleaning once a year.
Whereas, small and brachycephalic breeds, dogs that can have trouble breathing due to a short snout require more frequent cleaning. Once or twice every six months due to more dental deformities. and smaller mouth.
People Also Ask
At what age do small dogs start losing teeth?
The process of shifting from milk teeth to permanent teeth of dogs is quite similar to humans.
At the age of four-month, mostly puppies start to lose their milk teeth. Sometimes, this process begins at the age of six months.
The reason behind this is that it varies according to breeding. Furthermore, you should provide dental chew toys that help to proceed with this tooth loss.
What is the black stuff on my dog’s teeth?
The black stuff on the teeth of dogs is usually known as plaque or tarter.
This deposition may be initiated by eating certain foodstuffs if proper tooth brushing is neglected.
This accumulation of gummy substances happens near a gum line or inside teeth.
This problem can create infection into different body organs through the bloodstream. For avoiding it, you must consult with a vet regarding dental treatment, brushing habits, and chewable toys.