It counts what you can see, as a note
Select the signs you can check at home, such as visible tartar, worsening breath, red or bleeding gums, a loose tooth, or a change in how your pet chews, and the tool counts how many apply. Add the months since a veterinarian last examined the mouth and that goes on the note too, ready to read out at the appointment.
Why there is no score
No validated scale rates at home whether a dental cleaning is needed. AAHA maintains guidelines on veterinary dental care and describes the real assessment as an examination under anesthesia together with dental radiographs, because visible tartar often does not match what is happening below the gum line. Information here is current as of October 2026.
So this tool gives no score, no grade and no verdict on whether a cleaning is needed, and it does not calculate a next cleaning date. This tool is for reference only and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms or suspect a problem.
Frequently asked questions
A count cannot decide that. It is only a note to help you choose whether to consult, while the real call comes from an exam under anesthesia with radiographs.
It only means nothing is visible at home. Disease below the gum line does not show, so agree on an exam schedule with your veterinarian.
No. Dates are not calculated here. Working forward from the last procedure is handled by a separate interval tool.