Oldie
Teeth and mouth

Dental disease

Periodontal disease, infection and inflammation of the tissues around the teeth, is one of the most common problems of older dogs and one of the most missed. Primary-care records put diagnosed prevalence in the range of about 9 to 18 percent, but when dogs are examined under anaesthesia the figure is between 44 and 100 percent1. Small breeds carry the most: in 22,000 UK dogs the Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier and Border Terrier were among eighteen breeds at increased odds2. Small dogs have more periodontitis than large ones, and diabetes and Cushing's disease add to the risk3. Retired racing Greyhounds are a special case: periodontal disease was the most common disorder in UK Greyhounds, affecting nearly four in ten4.

Signs are bad breath, red gums, brown tartar, dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at the mouth and, later, loose teeth and a swollen face. Pain is real even when the dog keeps eating.

AAHA's dental guidelines set out a full assessment, cleaning and treatment under general anaesthesia, and say that home toothbrushing needs to be daily to help, with plaque-control products accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council as a supplement5. A daily brushing task in Oldie is the simplest habit with the biggest payoff for a senior mouth.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet knows your dog.

Sources

  1. A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs (Wallis C, Holcombe LJ). Journal of Small Animal Practice 61:529-540, 2020 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
  2. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting (O'Neill DG et al.). Journal of Small Animal Practice 62:1051-1061, 2021 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
  3. Periodontal Disease in Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed 2026-09-22.
  4. Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders (O'Neill DG et al.). Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2019 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
  5. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (Bellows J et al.). American Animal Hospital Association, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 55(2):49-69. Accessed 2026-09-22.

Keeping track of it

Oldie is a care tracker for senior dogs: medications, care tasks, vaccines and weight, shared with everyone in the household, with this guide and the others a tap away inside the app. More about Oldie.