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Free checker · Dogs & cats

Dog & Cat Dental
Health Checker

By age three, most dogs and cats already have some degree of dental disease - and because it builds slowly and they don't complain, most owners miss it until it's advanced and expensive. The good news: the early signs are easy to spot once you know what you're looking at. Lift the lip, have a look, and run through the checker.

1

How do the gums look?

Lift the lip and have a look along the gum line
2

What about the teeth?

3

Any other signs?

Select all that apply

Lift the lip and tell me what you see

Start with the gums or teeth to get a plain-English read - and what to do next.

Everything below also exists as plain text - the teeth diagram and healthy-vs-unhealthy comparison are there to help you see what you're checking for.

The baseline

What healthy teeth and gums look like

In a healthy mouth, teeth are white to cream, smooth, none missing, loose or broken, and with no brown crust at the gum line. Gums are bubble-gum pink (some pets have naturally pigmented black patches - that's fine), firm, and don't bleed when gently touched.

Breath is neutral. "Dog breath" is a myth - genuinely bad breath is the single most common early sign of dental disease, not normal. The same picture applies to cats: healthy cat teeth are clean and white with pink, tight gums.

Anatomy

Dog & cat teeth diagram - and how many they have

Adult dogs have 42 teeth - puppies have 28 baby teeth that fall out by ~6 months.

Finding tiny teeth around the house from a puppy or kitten is normal teething. Finding a tooth from an adult pet is not - that's a vet visit.

Full diagram guide
How it progresses

The signs of dental disease

It moves through stages, and catching it early is the whole game.

1

Plaque

Soft, invisible film. Reversible with daily cleaning.

2

Tartar

Plaque hardened into a visible brown/yellow crust. Now it needs a professional clean.

3

Gingivitis

Red, inflamed gum line, maybe a little bleeding. Still reversible.

4

Periodontitis

Structures around the tooth break down. Painful, not reversible, and can affect heart, liver and kidneys.

Warning signs to act on: bad breath, brown tartar, a red gum line, drooling, pawing at the mouth, chewing on one side, dropping food, or eating less. Pets hide pain well - a quieter, fussier eater is often a sore mouth.
Commonly searched

Dog teeth chattering & grinding - what it means

Chattering (rapid clacking) can be excitement or cold, but it can also be a pain or dental response - often a sore tooth or gum. Grinding can signal mouth pain or nausea. If either is new, frequent, or paired with any mouth signs above, get the mouth checked.

Guide: chattering & grinding explained
Home care

How to clean a dog's teeth - including without brushing

Daily brushing with pet toothpaste (never human - it's toxic to them) is the gold standard, and easier than it sounds if you build up slowly. But plenty of dogs won't tolerate a brush, so here's the honest version:

Dental chews

Designed to reduce plaque, used daily.

Water additives & diets

Formulated to slow tartar build-up.

Wipes & finger brushes

A gentler step toward full brushing.

These help slow new plaque - but they can't remove hardened tartar. Never try to scrape or "descale" tartar yourself with metal tools: you can damage the gum and enamel and cause real harm. Established tartar needs a professional scale and polish at the vet.
Cat-specific

Cat teeth - what's different

Cats get dental disease just as readily as dogs, and arguably hide it even better. Healthy cat teeth are clean and white with tight pink gums; unhealthy cat teeth show the same tartar, redness and bad breath. Cats are also prone to painful conditions like tooth resorption, where a tooth breaks down at the gum line - another reason a fussy eater or a cat dropping food deserves a dental check.

Cats tolerate brushing less readily, so dental diets, treats and water additives play a bigger role, alongside regular vet checks.

When to see the vet

Most dental disease is far cheaper and kinder to treat early than late.

Book a check if you spot bad breath, visible tartar or red gums.
Go soon for a loose, broken or discoloured tooth, bleeding gums, facial swelling, or a pet gone off food.
FAQ

Quick answers

Adults have 42; puppies have 28 baby teeth that fall out by ~6 months.
Adults have 30; kittens have 26.
Yellow film or hard brown tartar at the gum line, red or bleeding gums, and usually bad breath. Loose, broken or discoloured teeth are more advanced signs.
No - genuinely smelly breath is usually the first sign of dental disease.
Dental chews, water additives, dental diets and wipes all help slow plaque. They don't remove hardened tartar - that needs a vet clean, and you should never scrape it yourself.
You can slow new plaque, but hardened tartar needs a professional clean. Avoid hard scraping tools - you can damage the gums and enamel.
It can be excitement or cold, but also mouth pain or nausea. New or frequent chattering with any mouth signs needs a check.
Reviewed by Dr. Priya Anand, MRCVS. This checker helps you spot the warning signs early. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace veterinary care.

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