Small Breed Dog Dental Care: Why Toy Poodles Need Extra Scaling

Quick answer: Small and toy breeds - Toy Poodles, Maltese, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus - get dental disease earlier and more severely than large dogs, because the same number of teeth are crowded into a much smaller jaw. They usually need their first professional scale and polish earlier (the AAHA suggests by about one year of age for small-to-medium breeds) and more frequent dental checks throughout life.

Singapore is a nation of small dogs - apartment and HDB living makes Toy Poodles, Maltese, Pomeranians and Shih Tzus some of the most popular breeds here. They're wonderful companions, but they share one less-charming trait: they are especially prone to dental disease. Here's why, and what their owners should do.

Why small breeds are at higher risk

A Chihuahua and a Labrador have roughly the same number of teeth (42 as adults) - but the Chihuahua has to fit them into a tiny jaw. That mismatch drives several problems:

  • Crowding. Teeth sit close together, trapping food and plaque in tight gaps that are hard to clean. Plaque hardens into tartar faster.
  • Retained baby teeth. Small breeds often don't lose all their deciduous (puppy) teeth, leaving a baby tooth and adult tooth side by side - a perfect plaque trap.
  • Smaller tooth roots and thinner jaw bone, so periodontal disease can loosen teeth - and weaken the jaw - sooner.
  • Harder to brush. A small mouth is fiddlier to brush, so home care is often skipped.

Start dental care earlier

Because disease starts younger in these breeds, so should prevention. The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines recommend a first professional dental assessment and cleaning by around one year of age for small- and medium-breed dogs - earlier than the two years suggested for large breeds. Waiting until your small dog is 5 or 6 often means tartar, gum recession and a few teeth already lost.

What small-breed owners should do

  • Brush daily. It's the single most effective home step - see how to brush your dog's teeth. Start young so your dog accepts it.
  • Check the mouth weekly for bad breath, red gums or brown tartar. Know the signs of dog dental pain, as small breeds hide it well.
  • Book regular dental checks - at least yearly, often sooner for toy breeds.
  • Have a professional canine dental cleaning when advised - a scale and polish under anaesthesia is the only way to clean below the gumline and treat crowding-related disease properly.

How we help at AVH Animal Ark

We see a lot of small breeds at our Springleaf and Tampines clinics. We'll examine your dog's mouth, flag retained baby teeth or early crowding, and perform a professional scale and polish when needed - using our iM3 GS Elite dental unit, under general anaesthesia with IV fluids and full monitoring. Open 7 days a week; a scale and polish starts from $550 (blood tests from $250), with a personalised quote after examination.

Frequently asked questions

Why do small dogs get more dental problems than big dogs?

Their teeth are crowded into a small jaw, which traps plaque and speeds up tartar and gum disease. Retained baby teeth and thinner jaw bone add to the risk.

When should my small-breed puppy have its first dental check?

Have the mouth checked at routine puppy visits, and plan a first professional assessment by around one year of age, as the AAHA recommends for small-to-medium breeds.

My Poodle still has a baby tooth next to an adult tooth - is that a problem?

Yes, retained baby teeth trap plaque and can misalign the bite. They're usually removed, often at the same time as a scale and polish.

How often do small breeds need a professional cleaning?

It varies, but many toy breeds benefit from a scale and polish every 6–12 months. Your vet will advise after examining the teeth.

Medically reviewed by Dr Colin Chin, Veterinarian (Murdoch University, 2011) - special interest in anaesthesia and small-animal medicine; anchor veterinarian at our Tampines clinic. Read Dr Colin's profile


Last reviewed: June 2026. This article is general information and not a substitute for a consultation with your vet.

References / Further reading

  • 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats - American Animal Hospital Association
  • WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines - World Small Animal Veterinary Association
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) - accepted home-care products

How to Safely Brush Your Dog's Teeth at Home (Step-by-Step)

By Brandon Tomo • July 7, 2026
Quick answer: Daily brushing with a dog-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste) is the single best thing you can do for your dog's teeth at home. Introduce it gradually over 1–2 weeks, focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth, and pair it with regular professional dental checks - brushing slows plaque but can't remove hardened tartar below the gumline. Brushing is the gold standard of home dental care, and it's genuinely worth the effort: it removes plaque before it hardens into tartar, the main driver of gum disease. The good news is that almost any dog can learn to accept it if you go slowly. Here's exactly how. What you'll need A dog toothbrush or a soft finger brush (a soft child's toothbrush works for larger dogs). Dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste , usually poultry- or malt-flavoured. Never use human toothpaste. It often contains fluoride and sometimes xylitol , which is toxic to dogs. Dog toothpaste is made to be swallowed safely. Step-by-step: brushing your dog's teeth Let your dog taste the toothpaste. Put a little on your finger and let them lick it off, so they learn it's a treat - not a threat. Touch the lips and gums. Over a few days, gently lift the lip and rub a finger along the outside of the teeth and gums. Reward calm behaviour. Introduce the brush. Add toothpaste to the brush and let your dog lick it, then start touching it to a few teeth. Brush the outer surfaces. Hold the brush at about a 45° angle to the gumline and use small circles. The *outer* surfaces (cheek side) collect the most tartar and are what matter most - don't worry about the inner surfaces early on. Build up gradually. Start with a few seconds and a couple of teeth; over 1–2 weeks work towards the whole mouth, aiming for about 1–2 minutes. Finish with praise or a reward. Keep every session short, calm and positive so your dog looks forward to it. How often should you brush? Daily is ideal. Plaque starts to harden into tartar within a couple of days, so brushing every day (or at least every other day) keeps ahead of it. A few times a week is still far better than nothing. When brushing isn't enough Brushing is brilliant prevention, but it has a limit: once plaque has hardened into tartar - especially below the gumline - no amount of brushing will remove it. At that stage your dog needs a professional canine teeth cleaning : a dental scale and polish under general anaesthesia. If you already see brown tartar, red gums or notice any signs of dental pain , book a dental check rather than relying on brushing alone. Not keen on brushing, or have a dog that won't tolerate it? Vet-recommended dental chews (look for the VOHC seal) are a useful back-up between brushes. How we help at AVH Animal Ark Our team is happy to show you the technique in person and check whether your dog already needs a professional clean. When a scale and polish is needed, we perform it with our iM3 GS Elite dental unit, under safe general anaesthesia with IV fluids and full monitoring, at our Springleaf and Tampines clinics (open 7 days). A scale and polish starts from $550 (blood tests from $250). Frequently asked questions Can I use human toothpaste on my dog? No. Human toothpaste can contain fluoride and xylitol, both harmful to dogs. Always use a toothpaste made for dogs. My dog hates having his teeth brushed - what can I do? Go slower. Spend several days just letting him lick the paste and getting used to your finger on his gums before introducing the brush. Keep sessions short and rewarding. VOHC-accepted chews and a dental diet can help in the meantime. How soon will brushing make a difference? Brushing prevents *new* plaque from hardening, so the benefit is ongoing. It won't remove tartar that's already there - that needs a professional scale and polish. Is brushing enough on its own? It's the best home step, but most dogs still need periodic professional cleanings because brushing can't reach below the gumline. Medically reviewed by Dr Colin Chin , Veterinarian (Murdoch University, 2011) - special interest in anaesthesia and small-animal medicine; anchor veterinarian at our Tampines clinic. Read Dr Colin's profile Last reviewed: June 2026. This article is general information and not a substitute for a consultation with your vet. References / Further reading 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats - American Animal Hospital Association Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) - accepted home-care products (VOHC seal) WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines - World Small Animal Veterinary Association 

Vet Recommended Dog Dental Chews: Do They Really Work?

By Brandon Tomo • July 7, 2026
Do dog dental chews actually work? A vet explains which chews reduce plaque, what the VOHC seal means, and how chews fit with a professional scale & polish.