Is your dog's breath bad – could it be a dental disease?

📞 Book a dental appointment: 010 739 9130

📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa

Quick answer: Bad breath in dogs is not just a cosmetic issue. It is often a sign of tartar, gingivitis, periodontitis, or a painful tooth.

Many owners get used to their dog's bad breath, even though an treatable oral infection might be the underlying cause. Oral diseases also affect the dog's general well-being.

When to see a vet?

Contact your veterinarian if any of the following apply:

• Their breath clearly smells bad.
• Gums are red or bleeding.
• The dog chews strangely or drops food.
• Tartar is visible on the teeth.
• The dog shows sensitivity around its mouth.

What could be causing the symptom?

1. Tartar

Hardened plaque perpetuates gum inflammation.

2. Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Untreated inflammation begins to destroy the supporting tissues of the tooth.

3. Painful or fractured tooth

A single damaged and inflamed tooth can cause odor and pain.

What can you do at home?

• Brush your dog's teeth, provided they tolerate it without pain.
• Do not attempt to remove tartar yourself.
• Schedule a dental check-up or treatment, if your pet's breath smells or you notice changes in their teeth.

What happens at the vet?

During dental treatment, the mouth is thoroughly examined, the entire mouth is X-rayed, and tartar is removed. If we identify teeth requiring further treatment, at Eläinsairaala Sacrum, these can be addressed during the same procedure.

Eläinsairaala Sacrum is here to help

If you are unsure about the severity of the symptoms, it's better to contact us than to wait too long to monitor the situation. A professional can help assess whether it's an emergency or if an appointment can be scheduled.

📞 Dental appointment scheduling: 010 739 9130

📍 Animal Hospital Sacrum, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa