Dental disease is a widespread issue in captive bearded dragons. A UK study found that over 50% of bearded dragons in the UK had dental disease (Mott et al, 2020). Things that made the difference included age, body condition, concurrent illnesses, and diets high in fruit which all significantly increase the risk. Unlike their wild counterparts, pet bearded dragons.
This is part 3 of a 4 part series on bearded dragons teeth, their anatomy, care and diseases:
- Bearded Dragon Teeth: The Essential Anatomy and Biology
- How to Clean Bearded Dragons Teeth: A Simple Guide
- Problems with Bearded Dragons Teeth & How to Fix Them ⏪you are here
- Mouth Rot in Bearded Dragons: What It Is and What Can I Do For It?
Read more…
What is Dental Disease?
Dental disease in bearded dragons includes oral health issues like plaque, tartar, and gum disease.
Unfortunately, one of the very things that makes bearded dragons special, their dental structure, also makes them vulnerable to infections in our care.
Bearded dragons have acrodont dentition. Don’t switch off, it’s worth knowing about. Acrodont means their teeth are fused directly to the very top edge of their jawbone, rather than sitting snugly in sockets like ours do.
This dental structure makes them particularly vulnerable to infections since their gums attach to the lower lingual and buccal aspects of the jaw bones, allowing bacteria to easily track from the teeth into the jaw bones (Gregory, 2023; Mott et al., 2020).
Wild bearded dragons maintain dental health through their natural diets but our pet bearded dragons often receive modified diets that provide less natural cleaning action and more of the things they shouldn’t eat, like fruit.
Is it Dental Disease or Periodontal Disease?
Now hang on a cotton pickin’ minute. Are we talking about periodontal disease or dental disease? It’s easy to mix them up, until we understand the difference.
In mammals like us, periodontal disease happens when the tissues and ligaments that hold our teeth in place start to break down.
But here’s the thing—our bearded dragons don’t have ligaments supporting their teeth. Instead, their acrodont teeth are fused directly to their jawbones. No ligaments, no sockets, no periodontal disease. What they deal with is dental disease. That is not better, just different.
Wild Bearded Dragons Don’t Have Dental Disease
I know the header already gave it away, but wild bearded dragons don’t have dental problems, it just isn’t a thing for them. Why? It all comes down to diet and lifestyle.
Wild bearded dragons munch on a natural buffet of termites, ants, crickets, and fibrous plants—we think that these bugs are basically nature’s version of a toothbrush. These tough, abrasive foods scrub their teeth clean as they chew, leaving no room for plaque to set up shop (Mott et al., 2020). More importantly, they aren’t getting all that sugary and acidic fruit in their diet.
McCracken and Birch (1994) decided to take a closer look at wild bearded dragons after having to deal with some dental disease issues at a zoo. They examined museum specimens of wild bearded dragons and other agamids stored in the National Museum of Victoria. The results? Not a single sign of dental disease. No plaque buildup, no receding gums, no swollen jaws—nothing. It’s a strong indicator that dental disease is a captive created problem.

How Many Bearded Dragons Get Dental Disease?
Dental disease is widespread in our pet bearded dragons. In the UK Mott et al., (2020) found that 50% of 304 pet bearded dragons had some form of dental disease. That data was collected from 20 veterinary practices, so it only represents the animals taken to the vet, rather than the entire captive population. So, the prevalence is likely to be higher.
A study in Australia had us fair worse with the prevalence of dental disease in Central bearded dragons being 67% (Sollom et al., 2023). This study used data from 1,000 visits across 724 individual lizards over 17 years, representing a significant cross-section of the population
Whether Australia is worse or whether its due to us taking our pets to the vet more often is difficult to know. Australians also have to deal with fauna licensing laws which means they also have to explain themselves to authorities more.
7 Causes of Problems with Bearded Dragons Teeth?
So, exactly what causes problems with our bearded dragons teeth? Here’s what happens.
Firstly, the structure of our bearded dragons teeth makes it easy for us to create dental problems: The first thing comes down to the structure of our bearded dragons teeth. Bearded dragons have a combination of permanent teeth (acrodont teeth) and renewable teeth (pleurodont teeth – in the front of the mouth). The majority of our bearded dragons teeth are the permanent, acrodont teeth which are more fragile and prone to bacterial infections because bacteria can sneak straight into the jawbone.
Secondly, sorry to say, but it seems to be us that cause the problems with our bearded dragons teeth: Health problems with bearded dragons teeth can be caused by a few things, but unfortunately it comes down to our care.
Mostly there’s the food problem. There was a time I used to think giving a reptile a treat with a juicy piece of fruit was me looking after them. Mmmmm, I wish that were true. But after reading this article I reckon we are all going to think twice about that in the future.
The study by Mott et al, (2020) brought out some interesting data on what causes problems with bearded dragons teeth (see the table below).
Age (8+ years) | 87% | Older bearded dragons are significantly more likely to develop dental issues. |
Body condition (underweight) | 71% | Poor overall health is closely linked to oral health issues. |
Concurrent disease | 57% | Bearded dragons with additional health problems are more prone to dental disease. |
Fruit in the diet | 66% | High sugar and acidity in fruit are major contributors to dental disease. |
Vegetables/live food | No significant link | These items appear to have a neutral effect on dental health. |
1. Feeding fruit increases the risk of big problems with our bearded dragons teeth by 25%!
It turns out that feeding fruit to our bearded dragons gives them a 66% chance of dental disease compared to 42% for those who skip the sweets (Mott et al., 2020). That is just shy of a 25% increase in risk!
The sugar and acidity in fruit are just invite bacteria to have a party in their mouth. On the flip side, bugs like crickets and locusts and crunchy veggies do their teeth a favor by keeping them clean.
And here’s the kicker: live food choices—like crickets versus mealworms—don’t really make a difference in dental health. However, avoiding soft-food diets that invite bacteria to set up camp are best (Mott et al., 2020; Gregory, 2023).
But wait, there’s more! Dental problems for our bearded dragons teeth are caused by:
2. When they are over 8 years old our bearded dragons chance of dental disease increases by 87%!
Out of the 50% of bearded dragons that had dental disease, those over 8 years old got hit the hardest. For those over 8 years old, a whopping 87% of had dental problems. That’s almost all of them! (Mott et al., 2020)
3. 63% to 71% of bearded dragons that are too fat or skinny have dental disease!
Problems with our bearded dragons’ teeth are strongly linked to their body condition! Again, of the 50% of bearded dragons that had dental disease, if they were too skinny they had a 71% chance of dental disease. For those overweight, they weren’t far behind at 63%. bearded dragons. Beardies with a healthy weight fare much better, at only 41%. (Mott et al., 2020)
4. Bearded dragons that were already sick had a 57% chance of dental disease!
If your bearded dragon is already dealing with another health issue, their chances of dental disease jump to 56.7%. That’s a big jump compared to the 43.5% in otherwise healthy dragons. (Mott et al., 2020)
5. Mouth injuries jumps the risk of dental disease.
Injuries to the lips, gums, or teeth caused by substrate, enclosures, or handling can create openings for bacteria to invade, increasing the risk of dental infections (Mayer, 2013).
6. Improper environment creates dental problems.
The very environment we give our beardies can create dental issues. Improper temperatures, humidity, or UVB lighting can weaken the immune system, making our bearded dragons more vulnerable to dental issues (Mayer, 2013).
7. Husbandry practices and stress causes dental disease.
Just our husbandry practices or stressful conditions like having too many bearded dragons in an enclosure (overcrowded) or frequent handling, can lower their immune defenses and exacerbate dental problems (Mayer, 2013).
How Can I Tell If My Bearded Dragon Has Dental Disease?
Here is what to look for to detect the signs of dental disease.
Early warning signs of problems with our bearded dragons teeth: Sometimes the early signs can be subtle, but they tend to snowball if not addressed. Here’s what to look for:
- Yellow patches inside the mouth, often paired with swelling near the jawline. These patches hint at a bacterial infection taking hold (Mayer, 2013).
- Discolored teeth, showing up as brown, black, or even green hues near the gumline (Mott et al., 2020; Mayer, 2013).
- Behavioral changes, such as:
- Losing interest in food or outright refusing to eat (inappetence).
- Lethargy, acting sluggish or unusually still (Mayer, 2013).
- Dehydration, which you might notice from sunken eyes or skin that looks wrinkled (Warren, 2020).
- Excessive mucus or drooling, sometimes thick or stringy which may indicate inflammation or irritation (Exotic Vet Care, 2021).
- Crooked or uneven mouth closure, which might mean the jaw is swollen or painful (Mayer, 2013).
Advanced symptoms of dental disease in bearded dragons: When dental disease is left untreated, it moves into more serious territory that needs immediate attention. The advanced symptoms include:
- Gum recession: The gums pull back, exposing the jawbone and leaving it vulnerable to infections like osteomyelitis (Mott et al., 2020; Warren, 2020).
- Obvious physical changes:
- Swollen areas around the head or jaw (Mayer, 2013).
- Inflamed gums that are bright red and bleed easily.
- Teeth loosening or falling out.
- Anorexia (Mayer, 2013)
- Exposed bone in the jaw where the gums have pulled away (Exotic Vet Care, 2021; Mott et al., 2020).
- Abscesses or pus forming around the teeth or jawbone (Mayer, 2013).
- A foul odor coming from the mouth, signaling bacterial buildup (Exotic Vet Care, 2021).

Grading Dental Disease Problems in Bearded Dragons from 0 to 5 & Action to Take
Mott et al., (2020) published the grading system used to assess how serious (or not) the dental problems with bearded dragons teeth in the study were. I have added to that the action we need to take. It’s a great tool to help us decide when we need to take action and what to do.
Grade 0: Healthy Teeth
- What healthy bearded dragon teeth look like: Your bearded dragon’s teeth are clean, white, and smooth. The gums are pink and snug around the teeth, with no signs of redness or swelling.
- Actions to take: Everything is in great shape! Keep up the good diet and regular checks.
Grade 1: Early Signs
- Early signs of dental disease: Teeth may look a little stained or discolored. Gums might be slightly red, but there’s no swelling or obvious discomfort.
- Actions to take: Mild irritation is starting, possibly from diet or poor cleaning. Look at the causes of dental disease discussed earlier and see what you can adjust and then clean those toothy pegs!
Grade 2: Moderate Changes
- Dental disease progressing: More noticeable calculus buildup on the teeth (like a yellow or brown coating). You might see some food around the gums. The gums are starting to swell or pull back a little from the teeth.
- Actions to take: Plaque and bacteria are starting to cause real irritation. Go through the causes of dental disease and check what you can change. Clean your bearded dragons teeth and book teeth cleaning with your vet.
Grade 3: Advanced Problems
- Dental disease is advancing: Teeth may have heavy buildup, and the gums could be noticeably swollen, red, or pulling back enough to expose part of the tooth root. You might see bits of food or pus stuck in the gumline.
- Actions to take: The infection is progressing and likely causing discomfort. Your bearded dragon needs professional cleaning and treatment as soon as possible. While you wait for your vet appointment you can clean your beardies teeth.
Grade 4: Serious Issues
- Dental disease is now serious: The gums have pulled back far enough to show the jawbone, and there’s likely a lot of swelling and pus. Teeth might be loose or missing altogether and bone infection (osteomyelitis) has likely started.
- Actions to taks: The infection is severe and could spread to the bone. This is a super urgent vet visit. This is painful and permanent damage can occur.
Grade 5: Critical Stage
- Dental disease is now critical: Large parts of the jawbone are exposed, and there might be signs of fractures, dead tissue (necrosis), or severe swelling. The bearded dragon is unlikely to be eating, may appear lethargic, and could show signs of systemic illness, such as labored breathing or a weak response to handling.
- Actions to take: This is an emergency. The infection is severe and may have spread to the bones (osteomyelitis) or the bloodstream (bacterial septicemia). The bearded dragon may not survive it.
See below the Centre for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine posted Dr Dayna Willems infographic on the stages of bearded dragon dental disease with pictures.
How Do I Keep My Bearded Dragon’s Teeth Healthy?
Keeping your bearded dragon’s teeth healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little planning and some TLC, you can keep those pearly whites (well, scaly whites) in great shape! Here’s your ultimate checklist to stay on top of things:
Daily Checklist: Little Things, Big Difference
- Keep it Spotless: Clean out leftover food and waste every day. A tidy home means less bacteria and a healthier beardie!
- Check the Temperature: Basking spot too hot? Cool side too chilly? Keep those temps in the sweet spot (Warren, 2020). See the lighting and heating guides in the habitat and housing category.
- Watch the Humidity: Goldilocks levels only—30–40%. Too much invites bacteria, too little invites dehydration and other problems (Warren, 2020).
Bi-Weekly Checklist: Spa Day for Your Beardie
- Brush Those Chompers: Use a cotton swab and vet-approved cleaning solution to gently clean their teeth twice a week. While you’re at it, give their mouth a quick once-over for swelling, discoloration, or that funky bearded dragon breath (Simpson, 2015).
Monthly Checklist: Deep Dive for a Happy Bearded Dragon
- Safety First: Check the enclosure for sharp edges, loose bits, or anything that could hurt their mouth. Fix it before it becomes a problem!
- Step on the Scales: Weigh your bearded dragon monthly. A healthy weight = happy teeth. Underweight? Overweight? Both can mean dental trouble (Mott et al., 2020).
Annual Checklist: Vet Visit = Happy Bearded Dragon
- Plan a Check-Up: Schedule an annual vet appointment for a professional dental cleaning. Think of it as your beardie’s yearly “wellness day.” The vet can catch problems early and keep them feeling their best.
The Ultimate Husbandry Checklist: The Big Picture
Our bearded dragon’s environment and diet play a huge role in their dental health. Here’s how to set them up for success:
The Best Diet for Healthy Bearded Dragon Teeth
- Feed Hard Bodied Insects: Feed tough, hard-bodied insects like crickets and locusts—they’re nature’s toothbrushes (Gregory, 2023; McCracken & Birch, 1994).
- Feed Larger Vegetable Pieces: Chop veggies into large, fibrous chunks. This encourages chewing, which cleans teeth naturally (McCracken & Birch, 1994).
- Green Leaves & Fiber are Great: Load up on leafy greens and fibrous plants like squash and bok choy. They’re good for nutrition and plaque reduction (McCracken & Birch, 1994).
- Don’t Feed Fruit: Save sugary fruits for special occasions, and if you do indulge, time it with a teeth cleaning session. Fruit is like candy for bacteria (Mott et al., 2020).
- Sprinkle Some Calcium: Dust their food with calcium powder to keep bones and teeth strong (Rich et al., 2017).
The Ideal Environment
- UVB Lighting: Double-check that your UVB light is working and properly set up. It’s key for calcium metabolism and jawbone health (Warren, 2020).
- Temperature Zones: Your dragon’s home should have a basking area and a cooler zone for proper digestion and comfort (Warren, 2020).
- Soft and Safe Substrate: No sharp or abrasive materials here—only the safest options for their delicate mouths.
- Keep stress to a Minimum: It’s not always easy for us to pick up on when our bearded dragon’s are stressed but we need to minimize stress. Stress could come from overcrowding or handling (Mayer, 2013), poor temperatures, noise and so much more. Search for the complete article on bearded dragons stress at Bearded Dragons World in the Behavior category.
Treatment Options to Fix our Bearded Dragons Teeth
Regular oral examinations are essential for identifying the early signs of dental disease. Visual evidence of stomatitis and gingivitis, such as yellow patches, inflamed gums, and excessive mucus, often indicates the need for immediate attention.
Examine the inside of your bearded dragon’s mouth when you are cleaning its teeth and look for signs like tooth discoloration, gum redness, or jaw swelling. This will make a significant difference in catching dental disease early (Gregory, 2023).
Diagnosing Dental Problems with Bearded Dragons Teeth
To diagnose the level of dental problems with our bearded dragons, our vet needs to do an examination. Our vets use tools like dental probes to spot problem areas, check for plaque buildup, and see if the gums are red, swollen, or bleeding.
For more serious cases, the vets will need X-rays (radiographs) so they can look for hidden damage, such as infections in the jawbone (like osteomyelitis) (Warren, 2020; McCracken & Birch, 1994).
And when things are really complicated, some vets might even go the extra mile with an echocardiogram—an ultrasound of the heart. Why? Because they will have to anesthetize the bearded dragon so they first need to make sure its heart will hold out as it can be taxing on them (Warren, 2020).
The video above posted by Harvest Pointe Animal Hospital in Canada, Alberta. The video shows what can happen if bearded dragon dental disease is not detected early and fixed quickly. This sweet little bearded dragon has endured so much and now it is losing part of its jaw bone and permanent teeth! I can’t imagine losing part of my jawbone because I didn’t look after my teeth. How different would life be? Life will be challenging for this little baby going forward. Imagine the pain and stress it endured before surgery. Lucky this beardies new owner is up for the challenge to help him through life now.
How Vets fix Dental Problems with our Bearded Dragons Teeth
Once dental disease takes off, we can no longer try to manage it at home. Vets will start the process with anesthesia so that our bearded dragons are comfortable and stress-free during the procedure.
Here’s the game plan:
- Ultrasonic Scaling: Vets use a high-vibrational ultrasonic scaler to blast away hardened plaque without damaging healthy tooth structures. It’s the same kind of high-tech gear used in human dentistry and just as effective for our beardies (Warren, 2020).
- Gingival Treatments: In cases of gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia), pockets are carefully cleaned and flushed with solutions like saline, chlorhexidine, and antibiotics to reduce bacterial loads and encourage healing (McCracken & Birch, 1994).
- Abscess Care: Abscesses are opened, cleared of debris, and flushed with solutions to manage the infection. These wounds are then left open to heal naturally, which helps prevent reinfection (McCracken & Birch, 1994).
- Bone Infections: For osteomyelitis, the affected bone is carefully debrided and treated to remove infected areas. Antibiotics tailored to the specific bacteria found in cultures are administered, both locally and systemically. Radiographs are taken throughout the treatment to ensure the infection is clearing up (McCracken & Birch, 1994).
After the initial treatment here’s what the care plan might involve:
- Antibiotics: Vets often administer injectable antibiotics to tackle infections in the jawbone, especially in cases of osteomyelitis (McCracken & Birch, 1994).
- Anti-Inflammatory medications: To ease pain and reduce swelling, anti-inflammatory medications (Warren, 2020).
- Daily mouth care: For less-stressed bearded dragons, daily irrigation with chlorhexidine can help promote cleanliness and prevent bacterial regrowth. Chlorhexidine’s long-lasting antibacterial effects make it a standout option for managing plaque and inflammation (McCracken & Birch, 1994; Kaplan, 2014).
- Antimicrobial mouth flushes: Diluted chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine solutions are often used to cleanse the mouth and reduce bacterial presence (Kaplan, 2014).
- Post mouth cleaning care: This includes follow-up chlorhexidine rinses, pain management with analgesics, and supportive therapies like fluid and vitamin supplementation to boost the immune system (Gregory, 2023; Exotic Vet Care, 2021).

Not all cases of dental disease in bearded dragons can be recovered from. In cases of end-stage periodontal disease with osteomyelitis, euthanasia may need to be considered as a humane option (Gregory, 2023).
Once your vet has treated the dental disease you will likely be asked to attend some follow up exams and discuss the causes of the disease so that changes can be made to prevent it in the future.
What’s Going to Happen if We Don’t Fix Things Now
Ignoring dental disease in our bearded dragons is far too risky—it’s a recipe for serious health problems. Here’s what can happen when dental issues spiral out of control:
- Mouth Rot (Infectious Stomatitis): What starts as mild gum irritation can escalate into a severe infection, requiring aggressive treatment to save your bearded dragon’s health (Mott et al., 2020).
- Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis): Left unchecked, bacteria can invade the jawbone, causing necrosis (dead tissue) and permanent damage.
- Body-Wide Infections: Dental disease can open the door to systemic bacterial infections that spread to vital organs, putting your bearded dragon’s life at risk.
- Broken Jaws: Advanced dental disease can weaken the jawbone, leading to pathological fractures—painful breaks that make eating impossible (Mott et al., 2020).
- Gum Recession: Severe tartar buildup can cause gums to recede permanently, leaving teeth unstable and increasing the risk of further infections (Mott et al., 2020).
Parts of a bearded dragons jaw that were cut out to stop the dental disease spreading further.
With the Right Care, Dental Problems in our Bearded Dragons Could be a Thing of the Past
Let’s face it – problems with our bearded dragons teeth is something we can actually prevent. There is no evidence to show that dental disease is a problem for wild bearded dragons but we sure know its a problem for our pets.
We can skip the fruit, provide the right environment, keep stress low and all those things we looked at to keep our beardies teeth healthy.
Of course we love to spoil our bearded dragons, we just have to make sure that the spoiling is something good for them. See you in the next article, until then, I wish you the best my friend!
More bearded dragon health subjects here.
References
- Exotic Vet Care. (2021, February 10). Into The Dragon | Exotic Vet Care. Exotic Vet Care.
- Gregory, A. (2023, February 23). An overview of dental disease in bearded dragons. Veterinary Practice.
- Kaplan, M. (2014). Ulcerative Stomatitis (Mouthrot) in Reptiles.
- McCracken, H., & Birch, C. (1993). Periodontal Disease in Lizards .. A Review of Numerous Cases. Proceedings American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 108–115.
- Mott, R., Pellett, S., & Hedley, J. (2021). Prevalence and risk factors for dental disease in captive Central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) in the United Kingdom. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, 36, 1–7.
- Clinical Veterinary Advisor Birds and Exotic Pets. (2013). Periodontal Disease. In J. Mayer & T. M. Donnelly (Eds.), Clinical Veterinary Advisor (pp. 132–134). W.B. Saunders.
- Rich, G., Hess, L., & Axelson, R. (2017). Bearded Dragons – Feeding. VCA Corporate.
- Simpson, S. (2015). Reptile ER. Karingal Veterinary Hospital.
- Sollom, H., & Baron, H. (2023). Clinical presentation and disease prevalence of captive central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ) at veterinary clinics in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal, 101(5).
- Warren, R. (2020, March 17). Bearded Dragon’s Oral Diseases Treated. School of Veterinary Medicine.