My Dogs Teeth Are Brown: What Causes It & How to Fix It!

So, I noticed the other day that my dog Buster's teeth were looking kinda...off. Not pearly white, that's for sure. More like a dingy, brownish color. Naturally, I started to freak out a little. I mean, his teeth have always been pretty good, so this was new.

What I Did First

First thing I did? Grabbed my phone and Googled "dog teeth brown." Yep, straight to the internet. I saw a bunch of stuff about dental disease, tartar buildup, and even some scary things about internal problems. I definitely didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but I knew I had to do something.

Getting a Closer Look

Next up, I tried to get a really good look at Buster's teeth. This wasn't easy, by the way. He's a wiggly guy, and he's not a huge fan of having his mouth messed with. I managed to get a few peeks, though, and it definitely looked like some kind of buildup on his back teeth, especially.

It seemed that the brown color can be casued by so many reasons, but the most common reason would be plaque and tartar buildup.

Changing Things Up

I decided to try a few simple things at home:

• Brushing:I bought a doggy toothbrush and toothpaste. I already knew this was, and should be, a normal thing. I started slow, just getting him used to the taste of the toothpaste and the feel of the brush.
• Dental Chews:I picked up some of those dental chews that are supposed to help scrape off plaque. Buster loves these, so that was an easy win.
• Water Additive:There were some options online, so I decided to purchase a water additive. It is said that it can also help to reduce the plaque. I added to Buster's water bowl.

Seeing Some (Small) Improvement

I've been doing this routine for a couple of weeks now. Honestly, I've seen a little improvement. The brown stuff doesn't seem quite as dark, and his breath is definitely better. But it's not completely gone. This might just be a temporary solution.

What's Next?

I'm still a little worried, so I've made an appointment with the vet next week. I want to make sure there's nothing serious going on. It's probably just tartar buildup, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'll update after the vet visit and let you know what they say!