Small Dog Teeth Problems: Why Smaller Breeds Have Dental Issues
Small dogs have more teeth problems mainly because they fit the same 42 adult teeth into a much smaller mouth. Crowded teeth trap food and plaque, baby teeth often don't fall out on their own, and flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pugs have twisted or overlapping teeth. Daily brushing, safe dental chews and regular vet dental checks are the best protection.
Teeth and gum issues are extremely common in dogs. Veterinary groups estimate that most dogs show some signs of dental disease by around age three. And that's especially true of smaller dogs, which are more likely to experience dental issues, and more likely to experience them at a younger age.
Read on for more information about teeth problems in small dogs and large dogs, the warning signs to watch for, and how to keep your dog's dental health in top shape.
Why Are Small Dogs More at Risk for Teeth Problems?
No one is 100% sure why small dogs have more dental issues, but crowding is a big part of it. When the mouth is crowded with teeth, it becomes easier for food to get stuck between teeth and start to collect bacteria.
It's also more common for small dogs to keep their baby teeth. Retained baby teeth crowd the adult teeth even more and trap plaque. If your puppy hasn't naturally shed their baby teeth by about six months of age, ask your vet whether they should be removed.
Some breeds also tend to have more crowding as a result of an abnormal bite or a flattened face. Brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs and Shih Tzus often have rotated, overlapping teeth that are harder to keep clean.
Small dogs also tend to live longer, so their teeth have more years to wear and collect tartar.
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What Are the Problems Caused by Periodontal Issues?
Teeth and gum issues can range in severity from mild discomfort to a serious health issue. Over the short term, plaque forms on the surface of the teeth. For the first day or two, that plaque can be removed with a toothbrush.
But once that plaque has time to harden into tartar, it becomes much more difficult to remove. And over time, that tartar can introduce bacteria under the gumline, causing inflammation, pain, infection and potentially even tooth loss. Small dogs have less jawbone around each tooth, so advanced dental disease can weaken the jaw itself.
Signs of Dental Problems in Dogs
- Bad breath
- Yellow or brown tartar along the gumline
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Loose, broken or missing teeth
- Chewing on one side, dropping food or eating slowly
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Drooling, sometimes with blood
- Swelling below the eye (can be a tooth root abscess)
Dogs are good at hiding mouth pain and will often keep eating, so don't wait for your dog to stop eating before booking a check.
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What Should You Do If You Have a Small Dog?
Taking care of your dog's dental health is always important, but especially so with small dogs. It pays to take the time to practice the preventative measures that can help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy.
Brush Their Teeth
The most important habit is brushing your dog's teeth, ideally every day. Doing this daily removes plaque before it hardens into tartar. Use a toothpaste made for dogs (human toothpaste can contain xylitol and other ingredients that aren't safe for dogs) and a small soft brush or finger brush. Start slowly: let your dog lick the paste, then brush a few teeth, and build up over a week or two with lots of praise. If you need help learning how to brush your dog's teeth effectively, ask your vet to show you how.
Use Dental Products
Dental chews and other dental products such as oral sprays, gels, or water additives can help between brushings. Look for the VOHC seal of approval, which stands for the Veterinary Oral Health Council, to find products shown to reduce plaque and tartar.
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Choose Chews Carefully
Chewing helps keep dogs busy and can help scrape away some plaque, but very hard objects can fracture teeth. Avoid cooked bones, and pick a chew sized for your dog that they can't swallow whole. Always supervise chew time.
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Keep Up With Vet Dental Checks
Preventive care at home is important, but it's also important to take your dog to the vet regularly. Make sure they take a look at your dog's teeth and gums and let them know if you notice any signs of dental issues, such as bad breath, inflamed gums, or discolored teeth. Your vet will be able to examine your dog's mouth, and to schedule x-rays if necessary to see problems below the gumline.
And if it turns out that your dog does have periodontal issues, your vet will be able to perform a professional cleaning under anesthesia that can remove the tartar you can't remove at home. When you put them both together, at-home preventive measures and a veterinarian's professional treatments can help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy for life, no matter what size dog you have.
Do Large Dogs Get Teeth Problems Too?
Yes. Large and power-chewing dogs, including many bully breeds, are less prone to crowding but more prone to broken teeth, especially the big upper chewing teeth, from chewing on very hard objects. They still build up tartar too, so the same brushing and vet-check routine applies.
Good nutrition supports a healthy mouth and body at every size. For small, flat-faced breeds, see our article on tailoring nutrition for French Bulldogs and our French Bulldog training guide. For a complete, meat-based diet, try Bully Max 30/20 High Protein, measured to your dog's size with our dog food calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do small dogs have bad teeth?
Crowded teeth in a small jaw, retained baby teeth and twisted teeth in flat-faced breeds all trap plaque. Small dogs also live longer, giving dental disease more time to develop.
Do French Bulldogs have teeth problems?
French Bulldogs often have crowded, rotated teeth because of their short muzzle, which makes plaque build up faster. Daily brushing and regular vet dental checks are especially important for them.
How often should I brush my small dog's teeth?
Daily is best, because plaque starts hardening into tartar within a few days. Several times a week is still much better than nothing.
When should a dog get a professional dental cleaning?
When your vet sees tartar, gum inflammation or other dental disease at a check-up. Many small breeds need cleanings more often than large dogs.
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