Can't bear to face another day of dog breath? Don't despair. Dental disease, one of the most common and potentially harmful health problems for dogs, is also easily avoided. What causes that special smell? Bacterial buildup along the gum line gradually leads to gingivitis, or inflamed gums, and infection. If left unchecked, gingivitis will progress to periodontitis, or inflammation of the deeper tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. In severe cases, infection in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, including the heart and kidneys.
Gingivitis
The edges of healthy gums fit tightly around the teeth. When your dog develops gingivitis, tartar buildup around the gum line forces the gums away from the teeth. This creates pockets that trap food and bacteria, leading to gum inflammation, infection, and bad breath.
You can reverse gingivitis with a professional cleaning, called a prophylaxis, and home dental care. But ignoring the problem can quickly lead to periodontitis.
Periodontitis
As gum inflammation and infection worsen, they spread to the tooth root's bony attachments, causing the teeth to loosen. Your veterinarian can stop—but not reverse—the damage. Uncontrolled periodontitis ultimately results in tooth loss.
Risk factors and detection
Most dogs show early signs of dental disease soon after reaching maturity, especially if they don't receive preventive care. But many factors influence your dog's risk for dental disease.
Diet is one factor. Dry foods leave less residue on the teeth compared with soft foods. Chewing hard kibble helps keep your dog's teeth clean, but it isn't always enough. Ask your veterinarian about a specially formulated diet for dogs that reduces tartar formation.
Breed also plays a role in dental disease. Many toy breeds retain their deciduous, or baby, teeth after their adult teeth emerge. The extra teeth trap food and harbor bacteria. Many pug-nosed, or brachycephalic, dog breeds have crooked or overcrowded teeth, which contribute to dental disease. And some smaller breeds seem to form tartar faster than larger breeds. One of the main factors determining the rate of tartar buildup is individual mouth chemistry—some dogs need yearly dental cleanings and others only need them every few years.
Certain metabolic diseases, such as hypothyroidism or kidney disease, can increase your dog's risk of dental disease. Diseases affecting the immune system, such as pemphigus and lupus also may contribute.
Signs of dental disease include:
- bad breath
- red, swollen gums
- bleeding gums
- disinterest in food
- difficulty eating
- drooling
- loose or broken teeth
- heavy tartar deposits on teeth
- swelling or a draining hole under the eye.
Your veterinarian will examine your dog's mouth for swollen gums, tartar accumulation, and loose teeth. If the doctor finds loose teeth, he or she will remove them.
Prevention and treatment
Home dental care is important to your dog's overall health. Some pets will resist brushing, but most eventually accept it, especially if you start a brushing routine when your dog is young.
Veterinarians recommend daily or at least twice-weekly brushings depending on your dog's condition. Use a special finger brush, which slides right over your index finger, or a small pet-sized toothbrush. And only use pet toothpaste. These formulations are safe for animals and come in great flavors to entice your dog.
Don't ever use human toothbrushes or toothpaste on your dog. Human brushes are too big for your pet's mouth, and the toothpaste can be toxic if ingested.
Dental chew toys and rawhide strips can help remove plaque, but don't rely on them for home care. And keep your dog from chewing hard items that could fracture his teeth.
Professional cleanings once a year will keep your dog's teeth in tiptop shape. And your dog's trip to the dentist will be a lot like yours: A veterinary technician will scale the teeth above and below the gum line and then polish them. Some dogs might receive a fluoride treatment or antiseptic rinse.
Your veterinarian will anesthetize your dog to clean his teeth. Depending on your pet's age and health, your veterinarian may perform blood tests before anesthetizing your dog. These tests evaluate blood cell counts and organ function and help ensure that your dog will safely recover from anesthesia.
Cavities, although extremely rare, can appear at the gum line or on a molar crown. Cavities are painful, and your veterinarian likely will refer your dog to a veterinary dental specialist for filling, or he or she may remove the affected tooth.
Medical treatment
Once periodontitis sets in, your dog may need more aggressive medical treatment. If your veterinarian suspects a widespread infection, he or she will prescribe oral antibiotics before and after teeth cleaning. Your dog's doctor also will prescribe pain medication if he or she pulled a tooth.
