The good news is that cavities are rare in dogs. The terrible news is that more than 80 percent of dogs over the age of three have gum disease, and among dogs adopted from shelters and rescue groups, the percentage is closer to one hundred.
Even young dogs with poor care often have gum disease, broken or missing teeth, and other oral problems. Your adopted dog may come to you needing dental care. At the very least, he could probably benefit from professional teeth cleaning by your vet.
If he has other problems that need attention, they could be addressed simultaneously. Although relatively expensive, regular professional dental care will make your dog feel better and keep his breath more pleasant for you to be near. Most important, good dental hygiene may prolong your dog’s life, because infected gums release bacteria into the bloodstream that can attack organs throughout the body.