My dog's gums bleed when brushing his tartar. Should I see a vet?

Great job brushing Luca’s teeth!! Brushing regularly makes such a difference in oral heath long term! I would not be worried about a small amount of blood on the brush at all! We often see this if the gums are a little inflamed, either from a little gingivitis or from teething in a puppy. You can use a wet, soft cloth to wipe the area that bled a little if there is still blood on the teeth. Make sure you are using a very soft bristled, small toothbrush. Wet the brush before using, and apply a pea sized amount of toothpaste. If you are just starting to brush, you may even want to just use your finger with veterinary tooth paste on it and rub it on teeth and gums for a week or so to start, then work up to the toothbrush. Again, great job keeping Luca s mouth healthy!

Tartar buildup on a dog’s teeth is very common. The best way to prevent it is by brushing their teeth daily, usually in the evenings after their last meal. In most cases, unless the pulp cavity (the inner, live part of the tooth) or the crown (the whitish part of the tooth you can see) is damaged there is no need to remove the tooth. With a good dental cleaning (that must be done under general anesthesia) the tartar can be removed and the tooth polished so that the tooth can remain with the dog. If you are going to have a dental performed on your dog ask the veterinarian about performing dental x-rays. This will help determine the viability of the tooth. Once the x-rays are performed the veterinarian can make a better decision on whether or not the tooth needs to be removed. If tartar on the tooth is the only issue, there is no discoloration, cracks or fractures, or anything abnormal about the tooth, your dog will likely be able to keep the tooth. Pricing of dental cleanings very from clinic to clinic. Once you have your initial consultation with your veterinarian they should be able to provide you with an estimate. In the States a typical dental cleaning, depending on the size of dog and the problems present, can be anywhere from $300-$1000. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Best of luck.

Bleeding gums can be an indication of periodontal disease. Ideally, Tahoe should be physically examined by your veterinarian. She may need a dental cleaning. You can brush daily using a pet approved toothpaste and toothbrush. This will slow the progression of any existing periodontal disease and accumulation of plaque. Brushing will not remove plaque, especially if it is under the gum line.

This could be due to gingivitis or other periodontal conditions. Have Diesel physically examined by your veterinarian. A complete dental cleaning may be indicated. If he will allow, daily brushing would slow the progression of dental disease. Use a pet approved toothpaste and toothbrush.

Hello. This is absolutely not serious & you do not need to take Chewy to the veterinarian yet. At some time down the road, he may need to have professional teeth cleaning, but if you can start brushing his teeth, you may be able to put this off for years. Check with your nearest pet store for the appropriate products including a pet-friendly toothpaste ( never use human products ), & the various brushes & applicators you can use to keep his teeth shiny & bright. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That is probably due to the contact between the gum and the canine which is affected by tartar. There is moderate gengivitis as well. A check up and descale and polish of the teeth and an antiseptic mouth gel/solution (one designed specifically for dogs) would be ideal to resolve the condition. I would recommend to ask and discuss it with your local veterinarian. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I would have Mila seen by a vet for this tooth. If it's bleeding, then she may be suffering from severe gingivitis, or she could have damaged her tooth leading to the bleeding. This tooth should be examined and cleaned under sedation, which the vet can perform. I would have Mila seen by a vet tomorrow.