Posted by Bark Yeah!
on July 06, 2026
Quick answer
Persistent bad breath, red or bleeding gums, tartar or tooth discolouration, loose or broken teeth, and changes in eating behaviour can all indicate a dental problem.
These signs do not confirm a diagnosis, and some dental disease develops without obvious changes. If you notice something unusual, contact your vet rather than trying to treat it with a new chew or a change of food.
Recognising a problem gives you a useful starting point. A veterinary assessment establishes what is happening and what care your dog needs.
The five signs at a glance - what you might notice and what to do
- Persistent bad breath: tell your vet when it started and whether anything else has changed.
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums: arrange an assessment rather than assuming brushing or chewing will resolve it.
- Tartar or tooth discolouration: have the teeth checked; appearance alone cannot establish the extent of a problem.
- Loose, broken or unexpectedly missing adult teeth: contact your vet promptly for advice.
- Changes in eating or chewing: describe the behaviour, including dropped food or avoidance of previously enjoyed treats.
A dog that still eats can still have a painful dental problem. Equally, teeth that look clean do not rule out disease beneath the gumline.
1. Persistent bad breath
A brief change in breath after eating is different from an unpleasant smell that keeps returning or does not go away.
Persistent bad breath can accompany dental disease, but smell alone cannot tell you the cause or how advanced a problem is.
What to look out for
- Breath that has become noticeably more unpleasant.
- An ongoing smell rather than an occasional change after food.
- Bad breath alongside gum changes, drooling or altered eating behaviour.
What to do
Contact your vet and explain what you have noticed. Avoid relying on a breath-freshening product to cover the smell while leaving the cause unaddressed.
The American Veterinary Dental College identifies bad breath as a possible sign of periodontal disease and explains why visible signs may appear after damage has already occurred.
2. Red, swollen or bleeding gums
Inflamed or bleeding gums deserve attention. These changes may indicate gingivitis or another problem that needs assessment.
Healthy gum colour varies between dogs, including naturally dark pigmentation. Changes from your dog’s usual appearance, swelling and bleeding are more useful observations than expecting every dog’s gums to look the same.
What to look out for
- Redness around the gumline.
- Swelling or an unusual change in appearance.
- Bleeding that you notice during normal eating or gentle handling.
What to do
Arrange a veterinary assessment. Do not scrub a sore area or introduce a hard chew in an attempt to clean it.
Gingivitis can respond to appropriate treatment and ongoing care, but your vet needs to establish the cause and whether deeper structures are affected.
3. Tartar build-up or a discoloured tooth
Tartar is hardened material attached to the teeth. You may notice yellow or brown deposits near the gumline.
A tooth changing colour is a different observation from material building up on its surface. Owners may find these difficult to distinguish, which is another reason to have changes assessed.
What to look out for
- Deposits around the base of a tooth.
- A tooth that looks different from neighbouring teeth.
- A new or increasing change in colour.
What to do
Book a dental assessment rather than trying to scrape deposits off at home.
The amount you can see does not tell you everything about the mouth. Periodontal disease can affect structures beneath the gumline, even when the visible tooth surfaces look relatively clean.
4. Loose, broken or unexpectedly missing adult teeth
These findings need veterinary attention, but they do not all have the same cause.
Loose teeth can be associated with loss of supporting tissue. A fractured tooth may result from an injury or biting something hard. An unexpectedly missing adult tooth also warrants investigation.
What to look out for
- A visibly chipped or broken tooth.
- A tooth that appears displaced or loose.
- A gap where an adult tooth was previously present.
- A change in chewing after an injury or chewing session.
What to do
Contact your vet promptly. Do not wiggle a tooth to test it or offer a chew to see whether your dog can still use it.
VCA Animal Hospitals explains that fractured teeth can expose sensitive internal structures and require treatment. Continued eating does not establish that a damaged tooth is comfortable.
5. Changes in eating or chewing behaviour
Sometimes the clearest clue is a change in what your dog does.
They may still be interested in dinner but handle it differently, or stop enjoying something they previously liked.
What to look out for
- Dropping food while eating.
- Chewing predominantly on one side.
- Avoiding particular textures.
- Suddenly losing interest in familiar chews.
- Pawing at the mouth or increased drooling.
What to do
Tell your vet what has changed and when it began. These behaviours can have different causes, so avoid diagnosing the problem yourself.
A short video of naturally occurring behaviour may help you explain the change. Do not encourage your dog to chew something uncomfortable just to record it.
What should I do if I notice a sign?
Call your veterinary clinic and describe the problem. The team can advise how quickly your dog should be seen.
Useful information includes:
- When you first noticed the change.
- Whether your dog is eating and drinking normally.
- Any bleeding, swelling or apparent discomfort.
- A recent injury or unusual chewing incident.
- Your dog’s dental history and current medications.
If your dog seems acutely distressed or you think it may be an emergency, contact an emergency veterinary service.
While waiting for advice, avoid forcing the mouth open, testing a damaged tooth or using chews to try to remove deposits. Ask the clinic what feeding and home care are appropriate.
What happens during a dental assessment?
Your vet will discuss the signs and examine your dog as appropriate.
A conscious examination can identify some problems, but it cannot reveal everything beneath the gumline. Your vet may recommend further examination under general anaesthesia, dental X-rays, cleaning or treatment.
The AVDC’s periodontal-disease guide explains why assessing the supporting structures and tooth roots matters.
How can I support my dog’s dental health afterwards?
Once an active problem has been assessed and any necessary treatment completed, ask your vet about a manageable home-care routine.
That may include:
- Daily toothbrushing, introduced gradually when your vet says it is appropriate.
- Suitable dental products, selected for your dog’s needs and their supporting evidence.
- Regular veterinary checks, at the interval recommended for your dog.
- Ongoing observation, so changes are noticed and reported.
Chews are not a treatment for loose teeth, fractures or established periodontal disease. Some dental products can help control plaque or tartar as part of a wider routine, but benefits vary between products.
Read our complete guide to dog dental health for a practical overview, or explore what the evidence says about dental chews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first sign of dental disease in dogs?
There is no single first sign that every owner will notice. Gum changes or persistent bad breath may draw attention to a problem, but disease can develop without obvious signs.
Can my dog have dental disease while still eating normally?
Yes. Eating normally does not rule out dental disease or a painful tooth. Report changes you notice and maintain the checks recommended by your vet.
Can dental disease be reversed?
Gingivitis may be reversible with appropriate treatment and care. Damage to the supporting structures from periodontitis is different and may be permanent. Your vet can explain the findings and treatment options.
Should I give my dog a chew if their gums are bleeding?
Seek veterinary advice first. A chew should not be used to treat bleeding gums, and the cause needs assessment before choosing appropriate products.
Do white teeth mean a healthy mouth?
No. Tooth surfaces can look clean while disease affects areas beneath the gumline.
Can I diagnose dental disease from a photograph?
A photograph may help you communicate a visible change to your vet, but it cannot assess the whole mouth or rule out disease.
Choosing treats after a dental problem
When your vet confirms that treats or chews are appropriate, check the individual product’s ingredients, dimensions, texture and feeding guidance.
Bark Yeah’s natural chew comparison can help you understand the options before browsing our natural dog chew range.
Choose for your dog’s current needs, including any instructions following treatment. A softer-looking product is not automatically suitable.
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If you are concerned about your dog’s mouth, contact your veterinarian. This article cannot diagnose a dental condition or replace individual advice. Written by Bark Yeah - we make dog treats and chews, including products linked in this guide.