What Bad Teeth Can Teach Us About Biting Dogs
Back in the Stone Age—when phones were attached to walls and voicemail lived on a cassette inside something called an answering machine—I came home one evening to a completely full message box. That alone was impressive, since I had cleared it the night before.
The culprit? Muffin and Princess’s mom.
She had left me an hour-long message explaining, in great detail, how her delightful Shih Tzus would never bite a groomer unless that groomer was mean. She needed a nice groomer. The message included a passionate account of the alleged torture her babies had endured at the hands of other, clearly unhinged professionals.
After the first fifteen minutes, I fast-forwarded to get the gist. Wanting to avoid spending another hour on the phone, I started our conversation with my happy price. She promptly decided to find another “nice groomer.”
But here’s the thing I didn’t fully consider at the time:
What if there was a kernel of truth buried in that hour-long rant?
What if Muffin and Princess didn’t bite because groomers were mean—but because their mouths hurt?
Pain Changes Behavior
Many pet owners don’t connect poor dental health with pain. Pets can’t tell us their teeth ache, but they can tell us they don’t want vibrating clippers or unfamiliar hands near their face.
If a pet’s mouth hurts, they will protect it.
That protection can look like flinching, snapping, growling—or biting.
This is one of the many reasons a nose-to-tail assessment at check-in is essential for every pet, every visit. Not just for coat condition—but for safety, communication, and professionalism.
A word of caution: never open a pet’s mouth casually. Any pet can be a bite risk. Approach carefully, observe first, and use restraint and assistance when needed.
Why Dental Awareness Matters for Groomers
Being aware of dental pain benefits you in three important ways:
- It helps explain behavioral issues
- It establishes you as a trusted authority
- It can increase your bottom line
1. Awareness of Behavioral Problems
Think about how you feel with a toothache. Now imagine living with that pain and having someone reach toward your face with clippers or scissors.
Small dogs, in particular, are more prone to periodontal disease—which helps explain why face handling is such a common trigger for bites in smaller breeds. Recognizing this allows groomers to adjust handling, timing, and expectations, keeping both pets and people safer.
2. Establishing Authority Through Education
Many owners don’t realize that poor oral health is linked to serious systemic diseases, including heart, kidney, liver, and lung disease. Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and weaken the immune system over time.
Veterinary professionals often estimate that improving dental health can extend a pet’s life by three to five years—not to mention reduce long-term veterinary costs.
Important note: lack of dental care is often due to lack of knowledge, not neglect. Educate—don’t shame. Compassion builds trust.
3. Increasing Your Bottom Line (Ethically)
This benefit is twofold:
• Longevity: healthier pets stay on grooming schedules longer
• Retail: dental products are small, easy to stock, and highly beneficial
It makes little financial sense to spend time educating clients about dental care—only to send them elsewhere to purchase products.
Starting the Conversation With Clients
The check-in assessment is the perfect time to open a dialogue about dental health.
Signs groomers may notice include:
• Flinching or pulling away
• Quivering lips
• Growling, snapping, or hissing
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Tartar buildup
• Visible tooth roots or bulging crowns
• Open sores or ulcers on the face or mouth
• Bad breath
Ask owners if they’ve noticed:
• Face rubbing on floors or furniture
• Difficulty eating or loss of appetite
• Preference for softer foods
• Increased sleeping
Together, these signs strongly suggest periodontal disease.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease develops gradually.
Food particles and bacteria form plaque, a milky film that appears daily. Within three to five days, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus). Tartar irritates the gums, leading to gingivitis. Left untreated, inflammation spreads below the gum line, forming pockets that trap bacteria, cause abscesses, bone loss, and significant pain.
Ways Groomers Can Help
Easy Options
• High-quality dental treats without hidden sugars
• Dental toys with nubs (gum massage) or ropes (natural flossing)
Moderate Effort
• Chlorhexidine wipes used several times weekly
• Dental gels applied along the gum line
Maximum Effort
• Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste only
(Human toothpaste contains detergents and fluoride that can cause GI upset.)
When disease is advanced, referral to a veterinarian is essential.
Why This Matters
Educating clients about dental care improves behavior, safety, and overall health. It builds trust, strengthens your professional role, supports ethical retail, and—most importantly—helps pets live longer, more comfortable lives.
And at the end of the day, isn’t that why we do what we do?