The Havanese is Cuba’s national dog — a small, silky-coated, adaptable breed that has become enormously popular worldwide for its affectionate personality and manageable size. Like all small-to-toy breeds, the Havanese faces significant dental health challenges that require consistent, proactive care from puppyhood. Understanding the Havanese’s specific dental vulnerabilities is the first step toward preventing the progressive dental disease that affects the majority of this breed without proper intervention.
Havanese Dental Anatomy
Havanese are small dogs (7–13 lbs) with a moderately broad skull and a medium-length, slightly tapered muzzle. While their muzzle is proportional for a small breed — not as compressed as brachycephalic breeds — the fundamental small-breed challenges apply:
- Small jaw, relatively large teeth: Havanese teeth are not dramatically reduced in size relative to the jaw, which means some crowding and rotation — particularly of the premolars — is common. Crowded teeth accumulate plaque faster and are harder to clean effectively.
- Less bone supporting roots: As in all small breeds, the alveolar bone depth is limited. Periodontal bone loss progresses relatively quickly in Havanese compared to large-breed dogs.
- Moustache area and facial furnishings: The Havanese’s characteristic silky facial furnishings — the “moustache” and beard area around the muzzle — can trap food particles and moisture at the lip margins. Unlike Bichons and Poodles, Havanese grow hair that falls over the face, which can contact the teeth and mouth area, potentially contributing to bacterial accumulation.
- Facial tear and saliva staining: Many Havanese develop rust-brown staining around the muzzle from salivary contact with the facial furnishings. While partly cosmetic, this staining often correlates with elevated oral bacteria from dental disease.
Key Dental Challenges in Havanese
Early Onset Periodontal Disease
Research consistently shows that small breeds, including the Havanese, begin showing signs of periodontal disease at younger ages than large breeds — often by age 2–3 if dental care is absent. The combination of crowding, small bone mass, and long lifespans (14–16 years for the Havanese) means that untreated dental disease has many years to progress. Havanese dogs with no home dental care and no professional cleanings frequently have severe dental disease with tooth mobility by age 6–8.
Retained Deciduous Teeth
Small breeds have a significantly higher rate of retained deciduous (baby) teeth than large breeds. When a deciduous tooth doesn’t shed normally as the adult tooth erupts, both teeth occupy the same space — creating a direct plaque trap between them that is impossible to clean. The space between the retained baby tooth and the adult tooth fills with plaque, causing rapid progression of gingivitis and periodontal attachment loss specifically at that site. Retained deciduous teeth should be identified and extracted (under the same anesthesia as spay/neuter surgery at 5–6 months) to prevent this accelerated damage.
Facial Furnishing Contamination
The Havanese’s facial hair contacting the mouth area can carry bacteria and debris to and from the tooth surfaces. Regular trimming of the beard and moustache area (common in pet-trim Havanese) or tying up facial furnishings (in show dogs) reduces this contamination. Daily wiping of the facial furnishing area after meals also helps.
How to Care for Havanese Teeth
Daily Brushing — Small Brush, Gentle Technique
Use a finger brush or very small soft-bristled toothbrush with enzymatic toothpaste. The Havanese’s small mouth requires careful maneuvering to reach all tooth surfaces. The key areas are the outer surfaces of the upper and lower carnassials and the gumline on all teeth. Start at 8 weeks with toothpaste on a finger; the Havanese’s typical people-orientation makes them receptive patients when habituation is started early and kept positive.
Retained Tooth Check at 5–6 Months
At the spay/neuter appointment (typically 5–6 months), ask your vet specifically to check for retained deciduous teeth. This is the ideal time for extraction if needed — the dog is already under anesthesia. Retained teeth that are left in place accelerate dental disease at those sites and should not be allowed to remain.
Small-Breed Dental Chews
VOHC-approved dental chews in toy-breed sizes are appropriate for Havanese. Choose sizes appropriate for a 7–13 lb dog. Daily use complements brushing by providing mechanical plaque reduction on surfaces the brush may not fully reach.
Facial Hair Maintenance
Regular trimming of the beard/moustache area or keeping it tied back reduces mouth contamination from facial hair. After meals, wipe the moustache area and lip margins to remove food debris and moisture.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Every 6–12 months, depending on individual tartar accumulation rate. The Havanese’s small size means all dental procedures should be performed by vets experienced with toy-breed anesthesia — careful drug dosing and temperature maintenance are especially important in very small dogs. Full-mouth dental X-rays at each cleaning are essential for detecting subgingival bone loss.
Havanese Dental Care Timeline
- 8–12 weeks: Mouth handling daily; toothpaste introduction
- 3–4 months: Finger brush or small brush brushing; post-meal facial wipe
- 5–6 months: Spay/neuter visit with retained deciduous tooth check; extraction if needed
- 10–12 months: First professional cleaning with full-mouth X-rays
- Every 6–12 months: Professional cleaning; X-rays
- Daily: Brushing; dental chew; facial furnishing wipe after meals
The Havanese is a breed built for long life and close companionship. Their dental care requirements are intensive relative to their small size, but entirely achievable for committed owners. The investment in daily brushing and regular professional cleaning pays dividends in the form of a healthy, pain-free dog that remains comfortable and engaged throughout its 14–16 year lifespan. Dental disease that goes unaddressed doesn’t just affect the mouth — it affects eating, behavior, and quality of life. For the Havanese, dental care is one of the most important aspects of responsible ownership.
Related reading: Akita dental care
Related reading: coton de tulear dental health
Related reading: Bolognese dog teeth care guide