Bad breath in dogs is easy to dismiss, but a strong or persistent odor can be a sign of dental disease. Plaque and tartar buildup can irritate the gums, contribute to infection, and make eating uncomfortable. At The Pets Place Animal Hospital, we provide veterinary dental care in Riverside to help protect your pet’s mouth and overall well-being.
 

What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs?

Occasional odor after a meal may not be unusual, but consistently bad dog breath deserves attention. Bacteria accumulate on the teeth and form plaque. Without regular dental care, plaque can harden into tartar and contribute to periodontal disease below the gumline.
 

Dental problems may also develop quietly. Dogs often continue eating and acting normally even when they have painful teeth or inflamed gums.
 

Signs that your dog may need a dental evaluation include:

• Persistent bad breath

• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums

• Yellow or brown tartar buildup

• Difficulty chewing or dropping food

• Loose, damaged, or missing teeth
   

If you notice these symptoms, scheduling a veterinary dental exam can help determine whether professional cleaning or additional treatment is needed.
 

How Ultrasonic Dental Scaling Helps

Professional dental cleaning goes beyond brushing the visible surfaces of your dog’s teeth. Ultrasonic dental scaling uses specialized equipment to remove hardened plaque and tartar that cannot be eliminated with normal at-home brushing.
 

During a veterinary dental procedure, the teeth can be carefully cleaned above and below the gumline. This is important because bacteria beneath the gums can damage the tissues supporting the teeth.
 

Dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia so we can thoroughly examine and clean your pet’s mouth while keeping them comfortable and still. Before anesthetic procedures, our Riverside veterinary team evaluates each patient and may recommend diagnostic bloodwork to help assess their overall health.
 

When Oral Surgery May Be Necessary

Some dental problems cannot be corrected through cleaning alone. Severely damaged, fractured, loose, or infected teeth may require extraction or another oral surgical procedure.
 

Removing a painful or diseased tooth can prevent continued discomfort and help control infection. Our veterinary team evaluates each pet individually and discusses recommended treatment based on what we find during the dental examination.
 

The Pets Place Animal Hospital provides on-site surgical services for dogs and cats, including oral dentistry. Our surgical care also includes pre-surgical examinations, diagnostic testing, anesthesia monitoring, pain management, and post-operative care.
 

Protecting Your Pet’s Dental Health

Routine dental examinations can help identify problems before they become more advanced. We can evaluate your pet’s teeth and gums during wellness visits and recommend professional dental care when appropriate.
 

At-home dental care can also play an important role between visits. Brushing with pet-safe toothpaste and using veterinarian-recommended dental products may help slow plaque buildup, but these measures do not replace professional treatment when tartar or periodontal disease is already present.
 

If your dog’s breath has become noticeably worse, do not assume it is simply part of being a pet. Let us take a closer look and determine whether dental cleaning, ultrasonic scaling, or oral surgery may be appropriate.
 

Schedule your pet’s dental evaluation with The Pets Place Animal Hospital in Riverside, CA, at 625 W La Cadena Drive, Riverside, CA 92501, by calling (951) 684-2181.