How to Check Your Pet’s Teeth at Home (Dogs & Cats)

Spotting problems early prevents pain and expensive treatment. Follow this simple at-home mouth check from the team at Cara Veterinary Group in Dublin 15 (Ballycoolin) and Dublin 7 (Phoenix Park Gate).

BOOK A DENTAL CHECK • Call 01 885 3253 • Join our Pet Healthcare Plan to save on dentals

Before You Start

• Pick a calm time after exercise or a meal.
• Have good light, a clean finger, cotton gauze or a finger brush.
• Go slowly and praise often. Stop if your pet is stressed or painful.

5-Step Mouth Check

1. Breath test - gentle sniff. Persistent very bad breath can mean dental disease.
2. Lip lift - lift the upper lip on both sides. Look for yellow/brown tartar along the gumline.
3. Gum look - healthy gums are pink (some breeds have pigment). Red, swollen or bleeding gums = gingivitis.
4. Tooth scan - check front to back for chips, fractures, loose or missing teeth.
5. Touch test - very gently run a finger or gauze over teeth. If your pet flinches or the gum bleeds, book a vet check.

Tip: If your cat chatters the jaw or your dog drops food on one side, that’s a pain sign - arrange a dental exam.

When to See a Vet

• Bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth
• Red/bleeding gums, heavy tartar, loose or broken teeth
• Reluctance to eat dry food, weight loss, behaviour change

Many problems (like tooth resorption in cats) are only visible on dental X-rays. Early treatment prevents pain and infection.

Professional Care in Dublin 15 & Dublin 7

We provide full dental assessments, digital dental radiography, scale & polish, and extractions where needed. Our goal is a pain-free mouth and a healthier pet.

BOOK ONLINE NOW • Call 01 885 3253

Keep Learning

• Dental Disease in Pets
• Signs & Symptoms of Dental Disease
• Top Tips for Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth
• Six Steps to Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Healthy
• Dental Radiography (X-rays)

Our Locations

Cara Veterinary Hospital - Unit 233, Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 (D15 Y384)
Cara Veterinary Clinic - 1A North Circular Road, Phoenix Park Gate, Dublin 7 (D07 HE48)