Do dogs need to brush their teeth?

Tartar forms where soft plaque builds up on teeth, especially in areas that don’t get cleaned well when chewing. Over time, minerals harden the plaque into tartar, which usually takes 4.5 to 6 months to form. Tartar can appear at any age and increases with poor oral hygiene.

Tartar builds up around the necks of teeth and can cover parts of the crown, root, and gums. Causes include poor salt metabolism, misaligned teeth, and eating only soft or wet food. Early signs of tartar are lip itching, anxiety, frequent licking, drooling, bleeding gums, and bad breath. Tartar can cause gum inflammation and periodontitis, leading to tooth loss if untreated.

Visually, tartar appears as dark spots near the gum line. Supragingival tartar is white or yellowish and can be easily removed with a tool. Subgingival tartar is harder to detect and requires a vet’s examination. It is greenish-black or dark brown and sticks to the tooth root.

To prevent tartar, give dogs special chewing bones and cats solid food. Vets recommend annual tartar removal.

References Do dogs need to brush their teeth? - ZooMedVet.