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