Golden Retriever Dental Care

A Golden Retriever's teeth need the same kind of plan as the coat: a small daily habit, and a veterinarian when the mouth is already sore. VCA Animal Hospitals estimates that over 80 percent of dogs over the age of three have periodontal disease, inflammation or infection of the tissues around the teeth. The AVMA calls periodontal disease the most common dental condition in dogs and cats, and says that by age three a pet will very likely already show some early evidence, which gets worse without prevention.

Plaque is a film of bacteria. VCA says that within a day it combines with minerals in saliva and becomes tartar, also called calculus. The American Animal Hospital Association puts the start even earlier: plaque begins to accumulate within hours of eating, which is why a yearly cleaning by itself does not keep the mouth healthy. Left alone, plaque becomes gingivitis and can progress to periodontal disease, painful tooth loss, and damage under the gumline where you cannot see it. The AVMA also notes kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes found in association with periodontal disease. That is a reason to take the mouth seriously. It is still the veterinarian's exam that says what this dog has.

A puppy who is still losing baby teeth starts in the teething guide. The adult habit is on this page.

Read the mouth in front of you

The Merck Veterinary Manual splits gum disease into two stages. Gingivitis is inflammation from plaque. The gums go from coral-pink to red or purple, the edge swells, and they bleed on contact. Bad breath is common. Gingivitis can reverse when the teeth are cleaned, including below the gumline, and then kept clean. Periodontitis is the later stage. The ligaments and bone that hold the tooth are damaged. Merck calls that loss irreversible. It usually shows up after years of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis, often beginning around 4 to 6 years of age. Gingivitis is often first noticed around 2 years and can improve if it is treated.

Where the damage sits matters for home care. Merck says the back teeth are affected more often than the front teeth, the upper teeth more than the lower teeth, and the cheek surfaces more than the surfaces next to the tongue. That is why VCA tells you to spend your effort on the outer surfaces. A Golden is a large dog, and Merck says small breeds usually have more periodontitis than large breeds. A large dog still gets gum disease. The 80 percent figure from VCA is for dogs in general, not a small-breed statistic you can skip.

How often to brush

The sources agree that brushing is the home step that removes plaque, and they do not print one identical schedule.

VCA says dogs need their teeth brushed at least twice a day, on the same logic as people, and that three times a week is the minimum that helps remove plaque and slow tartar. The AVMA calls regular brushing the single most effective thing you can do between professional cleanings, and says it may reduce how often a cleaning is needed or, in some pets, remove the need for periodic cleanings. Daily is best. Brushing several times a week can still be effective when every day is not possible. AAHA says daily brushing is the best way to reduce plaque, and its 2019 dental guidelines tell clients that brushing removes plaque and does not remove calculus, so it has to be daily to help. Even daily brushing does not replace an anesthetized exam and x-rays. Merck says daily toothbrushing is best. If a dog will not allow a brush, wiping the outside of the teeth with gauze at least every two to three days can remove plaque.

For a Golden, pick the schedule you will actually keep, tell your veterinarian which one you chose, and move toward daily. A perfect plan done twice and then dropped does less than a calm brush most evenings. The quiet handling is the same skill as a grooming session. The grooming guide is the coat half of that routine.

How to brush a Golden

Teach it while the dog is still a puppy if you can. VCA says an older dog can learn too, and that it takes longer. The puppy care guide is the wider map for that age. Keep each session short, praise the whole time, and stop before the dog braces.

VCA's order is specific. Choose a quiet place. A puppy small enough to hold can sit in your lap, facing away from you. A grown Golden sits beside your chair, where you can reach the mouth. Start with a finger or a soft cloth on the outer surfaces only, back and forth, where the gum meets the tooth. Stay on the outside so you are less likely to be bitten. The first lessons can be a few teeth, not the whole mouth.

When that is easy, let the dog taste a little pet toothpaste from your finger. Then put a little on the cloth. Then switch to a brush. Lift the lip with a finger, or with a thumb and finger on the upper jaw. For the lower teeth, tilt the head back slightly while you hold the upper jaw. Start with the large cheek teeth and the canine teeth, because that is where plaque and tartar collect fastest. Work up to the rest of the mouth over days or weeks. Skip the tips and the inner surfaces unless the dog is relaxed about it. VCA says most periodontal damage is on the outer surfaces, and the tongue clears a lot of the plaque on the inside.

Aim for about 30 seconds per side. Be gentle. It is easy to poke the gum with the tip of the brush. A dog's mouth is full of bacteria, so wear gloves if you can still brush well, and wash your hands with soap if you do not. Rinse the brush, replace it about every three months, and give each dog its own brush.

Pet toothpaste is the flavor the dog will swallow. VCA names poultry, beef, malt, and mint. AAHA adds seafood and peanut butter as flavors made for pets. Human toothpaste stays in the cabinet.

A brush and a toothpaste the dog will accept

The Veterinary Oral Health Council accepts a soft, flat-head toothbrush for plaque and tartar control. VCA also says many owners start with a finger brush, and that a soft baby toothbrush works for some dogs. The kit below is a training set for a Golden: a finger brush to start, then a longer brush for the cheek teeth, plus a poultry paste. The paste in this kit, and the poultry tube below, are pet toothpastes in a flavor dogs take from a finger, which is the step VCA uses before the brush. They are not toothpastes the Council has accepted. Your veterinarian can point you to a paste that carries the Council's seal if you want that standard.

Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit, poultry flavor, with toothbrush and finger brush

Use this to teach the habit. Start with the finger brush on the outer surfaces of a few teeth. When the dog is calm, switch to the longer dual-ended brush and spend the time on the cheek teeth and the canines. The paste in the kit is poultry flavored, so the dog has a reason to stay. Keep the sessions at about 30 seconds a side, praise the whole time, and stop if the gums are already bleeding. That mouth needs the clinic before a new routine.

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Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, poultry flavor, 2.5 oz

This is the larger poultry tube, for when the kit's paste runs out or you already have a brush. Put a little on your finger first so the dog learns the taste, then a small amount on the brush. It is made to be swallowed. It is still a pet toothpaste, and it does not replace a professional cleaning when tartar is already stuck to the tooth or the gums are inflamed. If your Golden is on a food trial, ask the veterinarian before adding a flavored paste. The allergies guide explains why an extra flavor can make that trial unreadable.

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Chews, water, and the food bowl

AAHA says chewing can remove some plaque, and it tells owners to choose dental treats that carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal. The AVMA is blunt about the rest of the aisle: many products claim a dental benefit, and not all of them work. Ask the veterinarian before you commit to a dental diet or a chew as the plan. Merck points owners to the same Council for treats and foods that can help control plaque.

The Council accepts Canine Greenies for both plaque and tartar. The bag below is the large original size, 17 treats, labeled for dogs 50 to 100 pounds, which is the range an adult Golden usually falls in. Greenies says to feed one treat a day, to skip dogs under 6 months and dogs under 5 pounds, and to watch the dog chew. Gulping any edible can be harmful or fatal. The bag also tells you how many calories to take out of the main meal. Do that. A daily chew on top of a full dinner is how a Golden gains weight. The feeding chart is where that subtraction belongs. A puppy still in the teething months is too young for this chew. Use the teething guide, and a brush, until the veterinarian says an adult dental treat is appropriate.

Skip the chew entirely during a food trial. A flavored treat is another ingredient. The allergies guide is the page for that diet.

Hard chews are a different problem. Merck lists real bones, hooves, antlers, hard nylon toys, rocks, fences, and cages among the things that fracture teeth. A fractured tooth can need extraction or a root canal. A bendable dental treat and a nylon bone are not the same object.

Water additives are the smaller extra. The Council accepts TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Water Additive for Dogs for a plaque claim. That acceptance is plaque, not tartar. AAHA describes water additives as something that can help reduce plaque accumulation. Follow the label on the bottle. If your Golden starts drinking less, stop and tell the veterinarian. Drinking less is its own problem, and the additive was never a substitute for the brush.

Merck notes that dogs who eat hard kibble tend to develop fewer gum problems, because chewing scrapes some plaque. That is a small mechanical effect, not a dental program. A food made specifically as a dental diet is a question for the clinic. Everyday food choices are in the dog food guide.

Greenies Original dental treats, large, 17 count

One treat a day, for a dog the bag sizes at 50 to 100 pounds. The Veterinary Oral Health Council accepts Canine Greenies for plaque and tartar. Watch your Golden chew it. Take the treat's calories out of the main meal, using the number printed on the bag and the feeding chart. This is not a puppy chew, and it is not a chew for a dog in the middle of an elimination diet. It also does not replace brushing, and it does not treat a tooth that is already loose, broken, or covered in heavy tartar.

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TropiClean Fresh Breath dental water additive, 33.8 oz

The Veterinary Oral Health Council accepts TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Water Additive for Dogs for plaque control. Use it the way the label says, in the water the dog already drinks. It is an extra between brushings. It does not carry a tartar claim from the Council, and it does not reach the plaque under the gumline. If the water bowl sits untouched, pour it out and go back to plain water.

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The cleaning that happens at the clinic

The AVMA says the teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year, and sooner if you see the problems in the next section. Most dental disease is below the gumline. A thorough cleaning, scaling and polishing, is done under anesthesia so the dog holds still and the equipment does not injure the mouth. X-rays need that stillness too. Anesthesia has risks. The AVMA says those risks are low for most pets and are outweighed by the benefit, and that most pets go home the same day, a little groggy.

AAHA's reason for anesthesia is practical. A team of strangers with sharp instruments at the face is stressful. Without anesthesia they cannot clean under the gumline, where the damage is, and they cannot safely take dental x-rays or probe for disease. An awake scaling removes visible tartar above the gum and can leave the owner thinking the mouth was treated. Emily Singler, VMD, AAHA's Veterinary Content Specialist, calls that a false sense of security. The American Veterinary Dental College position, as the AVMA reports it, is the same: no cleaning or inspection below the gumline, and a risk of injury to the pet or the person.

Merck describes what the anesthetized cleaning is for. Gingivitis is treated by cleaning above and below the gumline. If it does not improve, the dog is rechecked, including for problems such as immune disease or diabetes. Periodontitis may need surgery to reach the root, jaw x-rays to see bone loss, and extraction of teeth that have lost their support. Merck notes that dogs do well after those extractions. Home care after treatment follows the veterinarian: brushing, a diet change, a plaque-prevention gel, or a rinse, on their instructions. This page does not give drug amounts.

There is no Golden-only rule that every dog needs a cleaning every year. Small breeds usually have more periodontal trouble, and the interval belongs to the dog in the exam room. What you can count on is the yearly look in the mouth, home brushing between visits, and a sooner appointment when the signs below show up. An older Golden, in the years when Merck says periodontitis commonly begins, is also covered in the senior care guide.

When to see a vet

The AVMA says to have the mouth checked sooner than the yearly exam if you notice bad breath, broken or loose teeth, extra teeth or retained baby teeth, teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar, chewing that looks wrong, drooling, dropping food, a smaller appetite, pain around the mouth, bleeding, or swelling in the areas around the mouth. Some pets get irritable when the mouth hurts. Any behavior change is a reason to go. Be careful looking. A painful dog may bite.

Go the same day for a swelling on the face or under the eye, a tooth that is visibly cracked, blood, or a dog who will not eat. Merck's fracture signs also include a tooth that has turned reddish-brown, purple, or gray, a red or black spot on the crown, and a dog who resents having the tooth touched. Most dogs hide that pain, so the absence of a yelp does not mean the tooth is fine.

While you wait, skip new chews, bones, and antlers. Do not start an aggressive brushing session on gums that are already bleeding. AAHA notes that brushing inflamed gums hurts and teaches the dog to avoid the brush. Bring a list of what the dog eats, including treats, and a note of which side the dog favors.

Questions owners ask

How often should I brush my Golden Retriever's teeth?

VCA's ideal is at least twice a day, with three times a week as the minimum that still helps against plaque and tartar. The AVMA says daily brushing is best and that several times a week can be effective. AAHA wants daily brushing, because plaque starts within hours and brushing does not remove tartar that has already hardened. Merck says daily is best, and that a gauze wipe of the outer surfaces at least every two to three days is the fallback for a dog who will not take a brush. Tell your veterinarian which of those you can keep.

Can I use human toothpaste or baking soda?

No. VCA says human toothpaste is not formulated to be swallowed. It can upset the stomach, some formulas are high in sodium, and some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Baking soda is alkaline enough to disturb the stomach, and dogs resist the taste. Use a pet toothpaste in a flavor the dog likes. Poultry, beef, malt, and mint are the flavors VCA names.

Do dental chews replace brushing?

They do not. AAHA says chewing can remove some plaque, and the useful chews are the ones with a Veterinary Oral Health Council seal. Canine Greenies are accepted for plaque and tartar. They still leave the plaque under the gumline, and they do not remove hardened tartar. Brushing remains the home step the AVMA calls the single most effective one. One large Greenies a day, for a dog of 50 to 100 pounds, is a treat you subtract from dinner, and you stay and watch the dog chew it.

Is an anesthesia-free cleaning enough?

No. The American Veterinary Dental College does not recommend it. The AVMA explains why: without anesthesia there is no cleaning or inspection below the gumline, which is where most dental disease is, and the procedure can injure the pet or the person. AAHA adds that the teeth may look and smell better for a short time while the disease underneath is untouched. The cleaning that treats gingivitis and periodontitis is done asleep, with scaling under the gum and x-rays when the roots need to be judged.

Does a water additive clean the teeth?

It can help with plaque. It does not clean the mouth by itself. AAHA lists water additives among the home steps that can reduce plaque accumulation. The Council's acceptance of TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Water Additive for Dogs is a plaque claim. Follow the bottle, keep brushing, and stop if your dog drinks less water. A red gum or a loose tooth is still a veterinary visit.

When should I start brushing a puppy's teeth?

As early as the puppy will let you, with a finger or a cloth on the outer surfaces, then a pet toothpaste, then a brush. VCA says the habit is easiest to teach before adulthood, and that an older dog can still learn. Retained baby teeth, a baby tooth sitting next to the adult tooth, belong to the veterinarian. Merck says those teeth can force the bite out of line if they stay. Normal shedding is in the teething guide. The chew sized for a 50- to 100-pound adult is not for a dog under 6 months.

Do large dogs still get gum disease?

Yes. Merck says small breeds usually have more periodontitis than large breeds, and that the back teeth, the upper teeth, and the cheek surfaces carry more of it. VCA's figure, over 80 percent of dogs over age three, is for dogs as a group. A Golden is not exempt. Gingivitis often shows up around two years and can improve with treatment. Periodontitis more often begins around four to six years. The home step is still the outer surfaces of the cheek teeth, and the yearly oral exam is still the AVMA's recommendation.

Sources

Over 80 percent of dogs over age three having periodontal disease, plaque becoming tartar within a day, twice-daily brushing as the ideal and three times a week as the minimum, the large-dog position beside you, outer surfaces only, pet toothpaste before the brush, about 30 seconds per side, cheek teeth and canines first, no human toothpaste, sodium, xylitol, or baking soda, flavors including poultry, beef, malt, and mint, gloves, a new brush about every three months, and one brush per dog: VCA Animal Hospitals, brushing your dog's teeth.

Periodontal disease as the most common dental condition in dogs and cats, early evidence likely by age three, kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes found in association with it, a yearly oral exam and the list of reasons to be seen sooner, grading from 0 to 4, cleaning and x-rays under anesthesia, daily brushing as the single most effective home step, several times a week as a workable frequency, and the warning that not every dental product works: AVMA, pet dental care. The American Veterinary Dental College recommendation against anesthesia-free cleanings is reported on that same page.

Daily brushing, pet toothpaste, soft bristles, the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal on chews, water additives and plaque, dental diets as a veterinary decision, plaque within hours of eating, bad breath, red gums, drooling, and difficulty eating, and why anesthesia-free scaling leaves disease under the gumline: AAHA, your pet's dental care. Brushing removes plaque and not calculus, daily use, pain from brushing already-inflamed gums, and daily brushing still leaving a need for anesthetized x-rays and treatment: AAHA, 2019 dental care guidelines, recommending products.

Gingivitis versus periodontitis, gingivitis often noticed around two years and able to improve, periodontitis often beginning at four to six years and irreversible, small breeds usually more affected than large breeds, back teeth, upper teeth, and cheek surfaces, daily brushing or a gauze wipe at least every two to three days on the outside surfaces only, hard kibble, fracture from bones, hooves, antlers, and hard nylon, and retained baby teeth: Merck Veterinary Manual, dental disorders of dogs.

Products the Council has accepted, including Canine Greenies for plaque and tartar, TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Water Additive for Dogs for plaque, and a soft flat-head toothbrush: Veterinary Oral Health Council, accepted products.

One large treat a day for dogs 50 to 100 pounds, not for dogs under 6 months or under 5 pounds, supervise chewing, and reduce the main meal by the calories on the bag: Greenies, adult dental treats, large, original.