My dog has tooth tartar. Is it urgent or can I wait for cleaning?

Hello. It is always difficult to evaluate tissue abnormalities just based on a picture. This could be a benign tissue hyperplasia, or it may be more serious like the beginning of an oral carcinoma. If I understand correctly, you want to know if this can wait until February, but I really do not feel that is a good idea. I would have her mouth & gums evaluated now, & if your vet decides to wait until the teeth are cleaned ( which will be done under general anesthesia ), that might be a good time to get a biopsy. But please let your vet determine if it is OK to wait. There is just so much that can be missed with just a picture. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That is a bit of buildup! Make sure you are using a dog-safe toothpaste as human toothpaste is actually toxic to pets. As for the lump/bump circled, it's hard to say what it is. I would keep an eye on it, and if it grows, changes rapidly, or becomes bothersome, it would be best to have your vet take a look at it sooner than your February appointment. Your vet can also schedule a dental cleaning at the same time if the bump needs to be removed.

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.

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.

Marley has quite significant tartar on his teeth, and there is inflammation of the immediate gums. The white plaques you can see look like ulcers caused by the tartar rubbing on the gums. He will likely need some pain relief and antibiotics, but ultimately he will need the teeth cleaned. I don't think you need to rush him to the vet tonight, but I would try and get him in tomorrow as he could do with some pain relief.

The tooth looks like a baby tooth in the picture. As long as Sasha is not in pain then I would recommend waiting. If Sasha is in pain or not eating then I would recommend bringing her to a veterinarian sooner. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there. It definitely looks like Hunter has some tartar accumulation and signs of early periodontal disease on his back teeth (premolars and molars), so I would recommend scheduling a dental cleaning with your veterinarian when you're able to :)