D is for Dental
The State of Sighthound Teeth (and What to Do About it)
Let's not sugarcoat this. Sighthound teeth are often terrible. Particularly greyhound teeth.
If you've just adopted your first greyhound and lifted their lip for a look, you might have had a bit of a shock. Staining, gum recession, loose teeth, the general aura of a mouth that's been neglected for years. Welcome to the club.
It's not your fault. It's usually not anyone's fault. Dental disease in sighthounds, especially those from racing backgrounds, is so common it's practically a breed characteristic. But it does need addressing, and the sooner you get on top of it, the better.
Why sighthound teeth are so terrible?
Nobody knows for certain why greyhounds in particular are so prone to dental disease. The most commonly cited factors are genetics, diet during their racing careers and a lack of dental care in kennel environments.
Racing greyhounds are typically fed a high-protein diet, often soft or processed, that does little to clean the teeth naturally. They don't chew recreationally in the same way other breeds might. And routine dental care in a busy racing kennel is rarely a priority.
The result is that many greyhounds arrive in their new homes with significant dental disease already established. Gum inflammation, tartar build-up, tooth decay and infection are all common. Some need extractions within months of adoption. Others manage for longer before the teeth become a problem.
Whippets and lurchers tend to have better dental health, but they're not immune. Sighthound mouths in general seem to be more vulnerable than most.
What to look for
You don't need to be a vet to spot the warning signs. Check your hound's mouth regularly, even just a quick lift of the lip to see the gums and front teeth.
Red or swollen gums: Healthy gums are pink and firm. Red, puffy or bleeding gums mean inflammation, and inflammation means bacteria are winning.
Bad breath: A bit of dog breath is normal. A genuinely foul smell, especially a metallic or rotten one, usually points to infection or decay.
Yellow or brown build-up: Tartar accumulates on the teeth over time. Once it hardens, brushing alone won't shift it. It needs a professional clean.
Loose or missing teeth: If a tooth is wobbling or has already fallen out, get them to the vet. There may be more going on beneath the gumline.
Drooling or difficulty eating: Some hounds with dental pain will drool more than usual, drop food or eat on one side. Others will give you no sign at all. Sighthounds are stoic. They'll eat through pain without complaint, which is exactly why regular checks matter.
Brushing at home
This is the single most effective thing you can do. Regular brushing removes plaque before it hardens into tartar. Once tartar forms, only a professional clean under anaesthetic can deal with it.
Use a dog-specific toothpaste. Never human toothpaste, it contains fluoride and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. A finger brush is often easier than a traditional toothbrush for sighthounds because you have more control and it feels less invasive.
Start slowly. Let them taste the toothpaste first. Touch their lips, their gums, their teeth, building up gradually over several sessions. Some hounds accept it quickly. Others act as though you're trying to end them. Patience wins.
Aim for daily. Realistically, a few times a week is better than nothing. Even once a week makes a measurable difference over time. The key is consistency, not perfection.
Professional dental care
At some point, your hound will probably need a professional dental. This means a full examination and clean under general anaesthetic, and possibly extractions if teeth are damaged beyond saving.
Two things to know about sighthounds and dental procedures:
First, anaesthesia. Sighthounds metabolise certain anaesthetics differently. We've covered this in our vet questions guide, but it's worth raising with your vet before any procedure. Most practices are aware of this, but always confirm.
Second, cost. Dental work isn't cheap. A straightforward clean might cost a couple of hundred pounds. A session with multiple extractions can run significantly higher. This is one of the reasons pet insurance matters for sighthound owners. Check whether your policy covers dental, because many don't, or cap the amount.
What else helps
Brushing is the gold standard, but other things can contribute.
Dental chews: Look for ones with a texture that physically scrapes the teeth as they chew. They're not a replacement for brushing, but they help between sessions.
Water additives: Some are designed to reduce bacteria in the mouth. The evidence varies. They're easy to use and unlikely to cause harm, but don't rely on them alone.
Raw bones: Opinions differ on this one. Some owners find raw bones excellent for dental health. Others worry about fractures or splintering. If you go this route, supervise closely and never feed cooked bones.
Diet: Kibble is sometimes credited with a mild teeth-cleaning effect because of the abrasion. Whether this makes a meaningful difference is debatable. Feed what works for your hound and don't choose a diet purely for dental reasons.
Don't ignore it
The biggest mistake is assuming bad teeth are cosmetic. They're not. Dental disease causes chronic pain, even when your hound doesn't show it. Left untreated, infections in the mouth can spread to the heart, kidneys and liver. It's serious.
Get their teeth checked at their first vet visit. Ask how bad it is. Ask what needs doing now and what to watch for next. Build brushing into your routine, even if it's a battle at first.
Your hound might not thank you for it in the moment. But their mouth will thank you for years.
The Savvy Sighthound is a small, independent website built by sighthound enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland. We share practical tips, honest stories and hard-won wisdom about life with greyhounds, whippets, lurchers and sighthound mixes. No sponsors. No sales pitch. Just real life with long dogs based on our experience.
We're sighthound lovers, not vets. If you're ever unsure about your hound's health or wellbeing, always speak to your vet.
