Plaque hardens into tartar, and tartar causes periodontal disease: bad breath, bleeding gums and, eventually, tooth loss. It is not merely a dental problem — the bacteria can reach the bloodstream and damage the heart, liver and kidneys. Brush with a toothpaste made for pets (never human toothpaste) and have the teeth checked at least once a year.
Key facts:
- The process: plaque hardens into tartar, which causes periodontitis.
- Consequences: bad breath, bleeding gums, pain, loose and lost teeth.
- Beyond the mouth: the infection can reach the heart, liver and kidneys.
- First sign: bad breath. It is not normal for a healthy pet to smell.
- Brushing: with pet toothpaste — never human toothpaste, which is toxic to them.
- Dental check: at least once a year.
“Dog breath” is not a fact of nature. It is the smell of infection, and by the time an owner notices it, there is usually disease underneath.
How does dental disease start?
It begins with plaque: a soft film of bacteria that forms on the teeth within hours of eating. If it is not removed, minerals in the saliva harden it into tartar — the rough brown deposit you can see along the gum line. Tartar cannot be brushed off, and it gives bacteria a permanent foothold from which they attack the gum and then the bone that holds the tooth in place. That is periodontal disease.
What are the consequences?
Bad breath first, then red, inflamed and bleeding gums, then pain — and pain is where owners are most often misled, because animals rarely stop eating. They chew on the other side, or bolt their food whole, and the owner concludes there is nothing wrong. Eventually the supporting bone is destroyed and the teeth loosen and fall out.
Why does it affect the heart?
Because the inflamed, ulcerated gum is a doorway. Bacteria from the mouth pass into the bloodstream and can settle elsewhere in the body, most seriously on the heart valves, and can also contribute to liver and kidney damage. This is why dental disease is a whole-body problem, and why vets take it far more seriously than most owners expect.
How do I brush my pet’s teeth?
With a toothbrush and toothpaste made for animals. This is not a preference — human toothpaste is toxic to pets: it contains fluoride and often xylitol, and they swallow it rather than spitting it out.
Introduce it slowly: first let your pet lick the paste off your finger, then off the brush, then brush a few teeth, then a few more. Aim for the outer surface of the teeth along the gum line, which is where plaque accumulates; the inner surfaces matter far less. Daily is ideal, and even a few times a week helps enormously. A pet introduced to this as a puppy or kitten will accept it for life.
What else helps?
Dry food has some mechanical cleaning effect, and there are specific dental diets, chews and additives with proven benefit — ask your vet which are worth using. But nothing replaces brushing, and nothing removes tartar once it is formed: that requires a professional scale and polish under anaesthetic. There is no way around the anaesthetic, because no conscious animal will allow the work below the gum line, which is the part that matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is bad breath normal in dogs?
No. It is usually the first sign of periodontal disease and should be checked.
Can I use my own toothpaste on my dog?
Never. Human toothpaste contains fluoride and often xylitol, both toxic to pets, and they swallow it.
Does dry food clean the teeth?
It helps a little, but it does not replace brushing and it will not remove existing tartar.
Does a dental clean need anaesthetic?
Yes. The important cleaning happens below the gum line, and no conscious animal will permit it.
A dental with extractions is a real cost, and dental disease is one of the commonest reasons pets need a general anaesthetic. Petplan España (Petplan Ibérica, S.L.) reimburses 100% of the vet bill up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 excess, at any vet you choose. See the policy terms.
