Setting up a calm mouth check
Choose a moment when your dog is settled, ideally resting beside you in good light, rather than pinning the dog down for an inspection. Sit at the dog's side, stroke the muzzle first, and lift the upper lip on one side with your thumb, holding it up for a few seconds before letting go and praising. Most of what you need to see, the outer surfaces of the upper teeth and the gum above them, is visible with the mouth closed in this position, so there is no need to open the jaw. Repeat on the other side, and lift the front lip briefly to see the front teeth and gums. A torch helps for the large back teeth, where problems most often hide.
What healthy looks and feels like
Healthy gums are pink, though some dogs naturally carry dark pigment patches, smooth, and moist, and they should hug each tooth closely with a thin, even edge. Teeth should be white to slightly cream, with smooth surfaces. Press a fingertip gently on the gum for a moment: the colour should blanch and return promptly when you release. Run a clean finger lightly along the gumline to feel for rough tartar ridges, swelling between teeth, or any tooth that moves even slightly. Along the way, notice the smell of the breath at close range, since a marked change in smell is often the first clue an owner gets. End the check with something the dog enjoys, so the handling stays welcome next month.
Changes worth acting on
Look for gums that are red and puffy right at the tooth edge, bleeding when touched, or pulling away so a tooth looks longer than its neighbours. Heavy yellow-brown tartar, especially on the upper back teeth and the long canine teeth, a broken or grey-looking tooth, and lumps on the gum all deserve a veterinary appointment. So does behaviour: pawing at the mouth, chewing on one side, dropping hard food, or newly resenting head handling can point to mouth pain even when your visual check looks fairly normal. Do not attempt to scrape tartar off with tools at home, because you can damage enamel and gums and push infection deeper. Contact your veterinarian sooner if the dog stops eating, drools heavily, or has swelling on the face below the eye, which can accompany a problem with a large upper tooth.
How often, and for which dogs
A brief monthly check suits most adult dogs, while older dogs and small breeds, who are prone to tooth crowding and gum problems, benefit from a look every couple of weeks. Puppies need a different eye during the months when baby teeth are being replaced: watch for baby teeth that remain in place alongside the adult tooth pushing through in the same spot, and mention those at your next veterinary visit if they persist.
Notes beat memory for slow changes
Tartar and gum recession creep in so slowly that owners comparing from memory usually miss them until a vet points them out. A dated monthly note, even a single line about tartar on the back teeth or gums looking redder on the left, turns guesses into evidence. KinsLe Care Teams provides a place to log that home dental check for a dog as a recurring duty, so the pattern across months is clear at each veterinary visit.