Green Plaque On A Dog’s Teeth: Discover The 5 Reasons and 4 Effective Preventative Measures To Fight It

Inflamed gums, foul breath, and green plaque on a dog’s teeth. These are the signs of a serious bacterial infection that can affect not only your pooch’s oral cavity but also its internal organs like the heart, stomach, and liver. Remember, any problem with a canine’s fangs is going to affect the whole body. It’s the same for humans as well, that’s why many two-legged religiously go to the dentist once every six months.

If a pet parent doesn’t instill preventative measures into his/her dog’s routine, this type of negligence can have serious consequences, and lead to a lot of health problems down the road. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons for the development of green plaque on a dog’s teeth and ways to effectively deal with it if it is already formed.   

green plaque on a dogs teeth
Green Plaque on a Dogs Teeth

Green Plaque On A Dog’s Teeth: Reasons Dogs Get It

1. A Pooch’s Diet

If you feed your mutt only wet canned food, it wouldn’t have to implement its chewing skills that much, leading to all sorts of dental issues. Only by chewing on hard dog food, canines are capable of removing some of the plaque and tartar forming over time. 

Also, if you give your pal a lot of sugar-packed treats (and many commercially produced snacks have sugar present), they may be the cause of gingivitis and plaque buildup. Always read the ingredients list on every bag of “goodies” to see what’s inside and how it can potentially affect your bud’s oral health.  

2. Poor Dental Hygiene

If a pooch’s teeth don’t get brushed regularly, it may start developing plaque and tartar over time, leading to pretty serious health issues later. In case a pet parent doesn’t feel comfortable keeping up with the fang-brushing ritual, he/she can at least buy greenies, dental bones, and special chew toys for a mutt to get rid of some annoying bacteria buildup gradually collecting in the oral cavity. 

3. “Crowded Teeth” Syndrome

Some dogs like Pugs, for instance, have what’s called an “overcrowded teeth” phenomenon, aka malocclusion. This is a situation when one tooth is growing right on top or near another tooth, causing discomfort while eating. What exactly happens is the fact that food particles get entrapped in between the teeth, and stay there if not brushed out. With time, these “forgotten” pieces start rotting and cause various dental issues including the formation of plaque. It is hard to get rid of all the deep-hidden residue even if you brush your pooch’s teeth daily. That’s when a professional dental cleaning comes to the rescue. 

4. Dirty Toys

Believe it or not, toys that are not washed with soap and water at least a few times a month are likely to harbor a lot of bacteria and be the reason for many health issues, including, but not limited to gum disease, tartar, stomach issues and allergies (especially in allergy-prone toy breeds like Pugs). Any pet owner needs to make it a habit to take care of his/her furry pal’s dental hygiene and keep all the dog goodies squeaky clean. 

5. Excessive Salivation

Certain breeds are inclined to produce more saliva than others. Partially because of the extra bacteria buildup that piles up on the gums and starts rubbing on the inside lip lining. Also, the fact that Pugs are considered brachycephalic adds to the excessive drooling since their faces are flat, and it is hard for them to breathe. This, in turn, leads to heavy panting and heat strokes in warmer weather conditions. Salivating helps Pugs to stay hydrated if there’s no clean drinking water nearby.  

Preventing Green Plaque on a Dog’s Teeth

Let’s mention a few effective ways to prevent green plaque on a dog’s teeth.

Proper Dental Hygiene

Nobody invented a better way to prevent the formation of unhealthy dog teeth than regular fang brushing. Clean your pooch’s teeth at least 2 times a week with a special vet-approved toothpaste that helps fight periodontal disease in canines. If you don’t have time in your busy schedule a pal for a professional dental cleaning.

Dental Bones

Greenies and dental bones are all excellent tools to supplement the regular dental cleaning ritual. Just remember, they cannot be used in place of regular brushing, but rather be an additional helpful resource in a quest to fight green plaque on a dog’s teeth

Chewing Toys

Teeth cleansing toys like these help nib any oral cavity problem in the bud while still being a fun resource for a four-legged pal. This is a real win-win situation, therefore don’t wait and order some now if your best friend doesn’t have those in its canine arsenal. 

Yearly VET Checkup

Regular vet visits are very important to ensure that there are no issues with a dog’s wellbeing including the dental area. Better to prevent a problem rather than to try to deal with its consequences. Dental health is one of the most important factors in keeping your pooch’s physical state in tip-top shape. 

green plaque on dogs teeth
Green Plaque on Dogs Teeth

Curl-Up

Here we have just discussed the main reasons for the development of green plaque on a dog’s teeth as well as other periodontal diseases and some effective ways to prevent any issues from surfacing. Remember, as much as you don’t want to engage in the teeth-brushing practice, this is by far the most effective way to fight periodontal infections and, consequently, prolong your mutt’s life. And don’t forget about the vet checkups-you may not notice something that he/she will spot right away. 

FAQs

Why does my dog have green stuff in his mouth?

Having a greenish discharge in a dog’s mouth could be an indication of Actinomycosis. This is a bacterial infection that occurs quite often among our canine and feline counterparts. It usually has a foul smell and looks like a disgusting green/yellow substance. The infection gets transferred from one dog/cat to another and is highly contagious. Humans don’t have to worry, they can’t get Actinomycosis.

What dissolves plaque on a dog’s teeth?

The best way to prevent/get rid of plaque is to make daily teeth-brushing a habit. Also, as a preventative measure, a dog owner can get greenies: dental dog chewable bones that aid in an effective fang cleaning. Most pooches don’t like that. However, choosing the right toothbrush and paste (preferably with a meaty flavor) will help turn an annoying ritual into a somewhat enjoyable experience. Don’t forget to reward your stubborn mutt with something delish after the “mayhem” is over with.

Another useful option might be getting special chewable toys that double as a toothbrush. Getting those will keep your pal occupied while taking care of the plaque problem.

If you don’t trust yourself with doing a good teeth-brushing job, you can always turn to an animal care professional who can assist you in the daunting task.

How to remove tartar from a dog’s teeth?

Utilize tools like dog chewable toys, greenies, dental sprays, and manual tooth brushing. The latter is really the best way to go since brushing is the most effective preventative measure for any type of dental problems like gingivitis, tartar, and plaque.

In case you don’t want to/don’t have time to do it yourself, you can bring your canine companion to a trusted vet for a dental cleaning procedure.

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.