Vet issues urgent message to anyone with a dog over 3 years old

Wales Online

31-05-2025

Vet issues urgent message to anyone with a dog over 3 years old
Vet Laura Londoño says by detecting issues early it can stop the disease from spreading
Millions of people across the UK have at least one dog
(Image: Paul Baggaley via Getty Images )
According to a veterinarian, if your dog is over three years old, you may want to check their teeth. The expert, Laura Londoño, warned that '80% of dogs over three years old have some form of dental disease" - and the vast majority of owners are unaware of this.
In her Instagram post, where she offers advice to owners - new and experienced - she notes that you should always be on the look out for issues rather than waiting for them to happen. "That's why preventive veterinary checkups are so important, not just when there's already a problem.
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"Often, during a consultation, we notice things you haven't yet noticed, and by detecting them early, we can help stop the disease from progressing and give you the right instructions... before it's too late.'
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She urges owners to "check their [dogs] gums, breath, and if they have difficulty eating" to get them checked out. Stressing that "oral health is general health", she advises people who may not have a dog to inform those who do "so they can check their dog's teeth today."
In further advice from the PDSA, they state that adult dogs have a total of 42 permanent teeth - 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. Like humans, they first develop deciduous (milk or puppy) teeth, which are later replaced by their full set of adult teeth, typically by around six months of age.
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What causes dental disease in dogs?
Unfortunately, dental disease is a very common problem in dogs and can be due to:
Poor dental hygiene – a lack of tooth brushing.
a lack of tooth brushing. Age - dental disease is common in older dogs due to wear and tear
dental disease is common in older dogs due to wear and tear Breed - some breeds are prone to dental disease for example Toy Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Greyhounds, and King Charles Spaniels.
- some breeds are prone to dental disease for example Toy Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Greyhounds, and King Charles Spaniels. Diet – having dry biscuits/kibble as part of your dog's diet may improve oral health.
– having dry biscuits/kibble as part of your dog's diet may improve oral health. Retained baby teeth - your dog's baby teeth will begin falling out at approximately four months old when their adult teeth start to come through. If their baby teeth don't fall out, dental problems are more likely due to an overcrowded mouth. Your vet might recommend removing these baby teeth under anaesthetic.
- your dog's baby teeth will begin falling out at approximately four months old when their adult teeth start to come through. If their baby teeth don't fall out, dental problems are more likely due to an overcrowded mouth. Your vet might recommend removing these baby teeth under anaesthetic. Overcrowding of teeth - certain breeds may have overcrowding issues due to the size of their mouth being smaller or shorter for example brachycephalic dogs. If these teeth are too close together they are more likely to cause dental disease.
- certain breeds may have overcrowding issues due to the size of their mouth being smaller or shorter for example brachycephalic dogs. If these teeth are too close together they are more likely to cause dental disease. Trauma - a fractured tooth is often extremely painful and can become infected. Fractured teeth can happen from chewing a hard object or from a head injury for example in a road traffic accident.
What is the signs and symptoms of dental disease in dogs?
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Many dogs don't show any symptoms of dental disease so regular checks at home and with your vet are essential. If they do show symptoms it can include: