Want to make sure your adult dog’s teeth are in tip-top shape?
There’s good reason: Periodontal
disease, the most common illness in dogs, affects 85
percent of canines 5 years and older and is linked to loss of
teeth, jaw fractures, and other serious issues, like heart,
kidney, liver, and lung disease, according to the
Animal Medical Center. Dental disease is also one of the
most easily preventable health issues for dogs. Here’s how to
get and keep healthy adult dog teeth for your dog.
checking Your Dog's Mouth
You can check your dog’s teeth by gently holding their muzzle
and pulling up their lips. Dogs with good oral hygiene
typically have:
- Clean teeth, free of any browning
- No loose teeth
- Healthy gums can be pink, black, or even spotted, but not
white or red, and should be without any evidence of
inflammation or bleeding
- No excess drool
Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs
If you're concerned your pet may be suffering from tooth
problems, be on the lookout for these symptoms of dental
disease:
- Bad breath: No dog’s breath is sweet or appetizing--you’ve
see what they eat--but there shouldn’t be a stench emanating
from your dog’s mouth. If there is, it could be halitosis.
- Regularly using paws around the mouth area
- Avoidance of hard food or dropping food as they try to eat
- Gums that are red and inflamed
- Browning of the teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Swelling under one eye--this can indicate a tooth root
abscess
White gums are also a warning sign, but of anemia, shock, or hypothermia.
Steps to Healthy Teeth in Adult Dogs
Just one percent of pet parents brush their pet’s teeth*, which
is, according to American Veterinary
Dental College (AVDC), the “single most effective means to
maintain oral health between dental examinations” in pets. AVDC
recommends daily brushing with toothpastes and toothbrushes made for
pets. Find out how to brush your
dog's teeth.
If that’s just not possible with your schedule, weekly brushing
is still a good idea. Here are some other tips:
- Try a dental diet. Some dog foods are formulated to improve
dental health.
- Consider rawhide and chew treats (particularly those with
anti-tartar ingredients like Greenies), which, if chewed daily, can
help promote dental health.
- Offer your pet chew toys, which, if played with routinely
over time, can also help.
- Take your dog to the vet for checkups and cleanings.
- Ask your vet about a dental sealant to prevent plaque and
tartar buildup.
When Dental Disease Goes Unnoticed
According to the AVDC, “most pets with painful dental
conditions do not show clinical signs that are obvious to the
owner but this does not mean that they are not feeling pain.”
The reason? In nature, animals do not display signs of
weakness, and domestic pets can retain this trait. Because
dental pain can develop over time, and is more likely to affect
middle-age and older pets, the symptoms may be mistaken for a
natural slowdown or a development of a “grumpy” demeanor
related to age. The AVDC explains that, once treated, pets who
have been living with dental pain can act years younger.
Keep on the lookout for signs of dental problems in your dog,
and be sure to ask your vet about your dog’s dental health at
every checkup. Your dog should see a
vet at least once a year, and twice a year once they become
a senior.
*According to a report by the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Common Dog Teeth Problems
Canine oral disease is largely preventable with a regular
dental care regime. But if your dog’s teeth go unattended, a
number of problems can occur over time. Learn what dental
diseases are common in dogs, and how to go about treating them
here.
Gingivitis
Bacteria sticks to your dog’s teeth, creating biofilm that
becomes plaque and eventually tartar. Buildup of this hardened
bacteria above and below the gum line causes inflammation of
your dog’s gums. Signs of gingivitis include bleeding, redness,
swollen gums, and bad breath. Gingivitis is reversible with
regular teeth cleanings, but can cause serious health problems
if it is not treated.
Periodontitis
This severe stage of periodontal disease is a painful infection
that occurs when bacteria flourishes under the gumline near the
deeper structures that support the teeth. Signs of
periodontitis include loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain,
sneezing, and nasal discharge. Periodontitis can result in
tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body,
damaging internal organs like the heart and liver. Treatment
may include veterinary cleanings, removal of teeth, and
antibiotics.
Proliferating gum disease
This condition is an overgrowth of the gums, in which they
begin to cover up your dog’s teeth. There are two types of
proliferating gum disease that commonly affect dogs:
hyperplasia and epulides. Symptoms of both include an increase
in height and thickness of gums, bleeding, halitosis, excess
drooling, and decreased appetite. Proliferating gum disease
must be treated to avoid gum infection. Common treatments
include antibiotics, and in some cases, surgery.
Halitosis
Bad doggie breath isn’t a
joking matter - it may be your first sign of serious dental
health problems. Halitosis is caused by bacteria growth along
the teeth and gum line. Check your dog’s mouth for tartar and
plaque buildup, usually seen as a brown or yellow substance on
the teeth. A consistent tooth care regime,
including regular
brushing and dental cleanings by your vet, is
effective in stopping halitosis.
Cavities
Dental caries occur less frequently in dogs due to the makeup
of their saliva and tooth enamel, but can still form from
bacteria on the tooth’s surface.Look for black, decaying areas
on the tooth at the gum line or on top of molars, as well as
softened enamel. Cavities can cause pain, difficulty in
chewing, and in extreme cases, organ disease if bacterial
toxins release into the bloodstream. Tooth extraction is a
common treatment for caries, though some teeth can be filled
and saved.
Carnassial tooth abscess
The upper fourth premolar tooth is the largest in your dog’s
mouth. One of this tooth’s three roots is affected by this
condition when excess bacteria travels up through the gum line,
or reaches the root through the bloodstream. If this area
becomes infected, it is extremely painful for your dog.
Symptoms of this condition include swelling, discharge below
the eye, fever, loss of appetite, and depression. External
facial symptoms may look like a bug bite, a wound, or an eye
infection, and the tooth typically does not look affected since
the infection is internal. Tooth extraction is the most common
method of treatment, though a process similar to a root canal
is sometimes effective.
Periapical abscess
Like humans, dogs can also develop apical abscesses under the
gumline. This infection occurs at the tip of the root, where
pus formations appear under or in the tissues surrounding the
dog's tooth. Typically caused by periodontal disease, this
condition can cause mild to severe discomfort and will spread
if left untreated. Symptoms include halitosis, discolored
teeth, swollen gums, facial swelling, and sensitivity when
eating.
Mouth tumors
Masses that appear in your dog’s mouth area, including the
lips, tongue, gums and lymph regions surrounding the
mouth, sometimes form as a result of periodontal disease.
Symptoms of mouth tumors include tooth movement, sores,
bleeding, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, and halitosis.
A biopsy will determine if the growth is malignant and must be
surgically removed.
Dental disease carries serious risk to your dog’s health. If
you notice any symptoms of these issues, be sure to consult
your veterinarian.
More on Dog Dental Health
19 Products That Clean Cat and Dog
Teeth
5 Ways to Improve Your Dog's Dental
Health
Causes of Cat and Dog
Bad Breath
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
