Dental Disease in Senior Dogs: Why It Matters and What to Do

By age three most dogs have some periodontal disease, and by the senior years it is nearly universal. It is painful, it is a constant source of bacteria entering the bloodstream, and studies link its severity with changes in the heart, kidneys and liver. It is also one of the most fixable problems in an older dog.

Signs

• Bad breath (not “dog breath”, a rotten smell)
• Red or bleeding gum line, brown or grey tartar
• Chewing on one side, dropping food, preferring soft food
• Pawing at the mouth, drooling, blood on toys
• A swelling under the eye (tooth root abscess)
• Being head-shy or grumpy when touched around the face
• Loose or missing teeth

Many dogs show none of these and still have advanced disease below the gum line. That is why the vet looks and, when needed, X-rays.

Professional cleaning

A proper dental cleaning is done under general anesthesia: scaling above and below the gum line, probing every tooth, dental X-rays, extractions of teeth that cannot be saved, and polishing. “Anesthesia-free” cleanings scrape visible tartar and miss the disease under the gum; they are cosmetic.

For a senior dog, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, blood pressure, IV fluids, warming and monitoring make the procedure routine at a well-run clinic. The dogs who are “too old” are usually the ones who most need it: a mouth full of abscessed teeth is a bigger daily burden than one morning of anesthesia.

Daily care at home

Brushing is the only home measure with strong evidence. Dog toothpaste (never human paste, which contains xylitol or fluoride), a soft brush or finger brush, the outside surfaces of the teeth, 30 seconds a side, daily. Most dogs accept it within two weeks if introduced with treats and patience.

VOHC-accepted chews, diets and water additives slow plaque and tartar. Look for the seal; the claims on other products are unregulated.

Avoid antlers, bones, hooves and hard nylon chews: they fracture teeth, and a fractured tooth in a senior means an extraction.

Plan for a senior

A dental assessment at each six-monthly exam. A cleaning when your vet advises, usually every one to three years depending on the breed (toy and small breeds need them most). Daily brushing between. If the dog will not tolerate brushing, a VOHC chew daily and more frequent professional cleanings. Extractions when advised: a dog with fewer teeth and no pain eats better than a dog with all its teeth and an abscess.