How to Check Your Pet’s Gums and Teeth at Home — See a Vet If You Notice These Signs

Oral HealthQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

We’ve put together a guide on how to check your pet’s gum color, tartar buildup, and bad breath at home, along with clear signs that it’s time to visit the vet. Checking just once a week can help catch periodontal disease early.

What Is a Home Oral Check?

A pet owner checking their dog’s gums and teeth at home

Home oral checks are a preventive habit where you, as the pet owner, visually inspect your pet’s gum color, tartar buildup, breath odor, and tooth condition at home about once a week. Redness and swelling of the gums are early external signs of periodontal disease, so the sooner you notice them, the easier management becomes. However, most animals with periodontal disease show no obvious outward symptoms, and the visible amount of tartar does not necessarily reflect the severity of the disease. Therefore, home checks are merely simple observations performed while the animal is conscious and cannot replace a thorough examination under anesthesia that includes dental probing and radiographs. This easiest first step is valuable for detecting unusual signs early and advancing the timing of veterinary visits.

Why Should You Check at Home?

According to veterinary dentistry textbooks, periodontal disease is extremely common in dogs and cats. The problem is that most animals with this condition show no signs of pain in the early stages. They eat well and play with their toys normally. While they appear perfectly healthy on the outside, the periodontal tissues beneath the gums are gradually deteriorating. Early warning signs such as redness, swelling, or bleeding during brushing often go unnoticed, leading to delayed diagnosis. Since veterinary check-ups typically occur only once or twice a year, it is easy to miss disease progression in between. A weekly at-home check helps bridge this gap and enables early detection of abnormalities.

4-Step Home Oral Check Method

It's best to perform the check when your pet is relaxed, about an hour after eating. Follow the steps in the table below. There's no need to do everything at once—start with one or two steps, and gradually add more as your pet becomes comfortable.

Step-by-Step Check Methods and Normal Standards

Item	Method	Normal Criteria
1. Mouth Odor	Smell from a distance of 10 cm	No particular odor or a faint food smell
2. Gum Color	Lift the upper lip to check the gums above the canine teeth	Bright light pink
3. Tartar/Plaque	Visually check the outer surfaces of the canines and molars	Tooth surface is white and smooth
4. Gum Margin	Observe the line where the gums meet the teeth	Clear margin with no swelling

20–30 seconds at a time is enough. Do not forcibly hold the mouth open for a long time.

Abnormal Signs Checklist

If you notice any of the following signs, your pet is likely suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease, and you should seek veterinary care promptly.

Foul odor: A strong, fishy smell indicates bacterial (plaque) proliferation in the mouth.

Red gums: Dark red or bright red, swollen gums are a sign of gingivitis, the first visible indicator of periodontal disease.

Brown or yellow tartar: This often accumulates on the molars behind the canines. However, the visible amount of tartar does not necessarily correlate with the severity of the disease.

Gum bleeding: Bleeding during brushing or with minor irritation is an early sign of periodontal disease. Because it appears early, it is best to have your pet examined and treated as soon as you notice it.

Loose teeth: This indicates that the alveolar bone (gum bone) is deteriorating and the tooth attachment is failing, requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Chewing on one side only: This suggests pain on the opposite side.

A comparison image of healthy gums and gums affected by advanced periodontal disease

Go to the Vet Within 24 Hours If This Happens

If your pet’s gums are pale, purple, or blue, if bleeding from the mouth won’t stop, or if one side of the face or the area under the eye is swollen, this is an emergency beyond simple periodontal disease. A periapical abscess may have ruptured into the cheek, or a systemic infection may be developing. Seek care at an emergency animal hospital, even on weekends or at night.

What If My Pet Hates Being Checked?

Start by gently lifting the lips rather than trying to open the mouth wide from the beginning. As soon as your pet succeeds, immediately reward them with praise and a small treat. Repeating this for just five seconds a day over the course of a week will help most pets get used to it. For cats, it is especially helpful to stroke their chin to help them relax before attempting this. Never force them to hold still or pry their mouth open. A single negative experience can lead to lifelong resistance to dental checks and brushing.

Training a cat to become accustomed to oral examinations using treats

Good Care Habits to Pair With Checks

Checking alone won’t remove tartar. Brushing your pet’s teeth once a day with a pet-specific toothpaste is the most effective approach. If brushing is difficult, you can use oral care chews, dental sprays, or water additives as supplementary aids. However, never use human toothpaste, which often contains xylitol or fluoride. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs. Have your pet undergo a veterinary oral exam once a year, and consider anesthesia-assisted scaling if necessary.

Especially Check This for Cats

Cats are prone to a unique condition called feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL), in which the tooth root gradually dissolves and disappears. Often, the only visible sign is a small pink tissue mass on the gum above the affected tooth. If you notice a red spot along the gumline, or if your cat suddenly stops chewing and cries out while eating, prompt veterinary care is essential. This condition cannot resolve on its own, and extraction is the only effective treatment.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should check-ups be performed?

Once a week is about right. Ideally, make it a habit to naturally check your pet's gum color and tartar buildup every time you brush their teeth.

I can see tartar buildup—can I scrape it off at home?

Absolutely not. Scratching with your fingernails or tools can cause microscopic scratches on the tooth surface, which actually makes tartar build up faster. It must be removed through professional scaling under anesthesia at a veterinary clinic.

Does bad breath always mean periodontal disease?

While this is true in most cases, bad breath can occasionally stem from kidney disease (uremia) or digestive issues. If the foul odor persists despite healthy gums, consider having your pet undergo blood tests.

Can I start having my puppy checked from a young age?

It’s actually much better to start when they’re young. If you get your puppy used to having their mouth touched from 4 to 6 months of age, brushing their teeth and dental check-ups will be much easier throughout their life.

Is it abnormal for my pet’s gums to be black?

Certain breeds, such as Siberian Huskies and Chow Chows, naturally have dark pigmentation on their gums. If the gums are uniformly dark, this is normal. However, if gums that were originally pink suddenly turn dark, it may indicate a problem.

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References

[1] Niemiec BA, Veterinary Periodontology, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013

[2] Lobprise HB, Dodd JR, Wiggs's Veterinary Dentistry: Principles and Practice, 2nd Ed, Wiley-Blackwell, 2019

[3] AVDC (American Veterinary Dental College) Home Oral Care Guidelines, 2020