When it comes to your beloved pet’s health and well-being, it is important to remember that good dental health is just as important as good physical health. Poor dental health can significantly impact their overall wellness, leading to other health problems. As a pet owner, you must pay attention to your dog’s oral health and provide appropriate preventative care.
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In this article, we will explore the importance of canine dental health, how to care for your dog's teeth at home, signs and symptoms of dental disease, common dental diseases in dogs, the importance of early detection and diagnosis, how often to have your vet check your dog’s teeth, and what a professional dental cleaning for a dog is like. At Tuscan Ridge Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality and best service to pet owners, and we are here to help you ensure that your dog’s teeth and gums remain healthy and happy. If you live in or near Wake Forest, NC and would like to schedule an appointment for your canine companion, please call (919) 556-1944.
How Does Dental Health Impact My Dog’s Overall Health?
Periodontal disease is common in dogs, affecting at least 80% by age three. It begins with plaque buildup, which hardens into tartar. Tartar below the gum line is particularly harmful, causing infections and damaging the jawbone and connective tissues between the teeth and jaw.
Advanced periodontal disease causes severe pain and may lead to other health problems like kidney, liver, and heart damage. Poor dental care can also lead to tooth loss due to infections and damaged teeth and gums. Dental problems also cause bad breath (halitosis), affecting their quality of life and interaction with their owners.
Severe dental diseases can also make eating and drinking difficult. Chewing on hard objects can result in broken teeth, exposing the nerve and causing pain. The exposed nerve can also become infected, leading to more severe dental problems.
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How can I care for my dog’s teeth at home?
Home dental care is essential in ensuring your dog’s dental health. Here are five ways to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy:
- Brushing: Brushing your dog’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for pets and an enzymatic toothpaste (also made for pets) helps remove the bacterial biofilm that forms on their teeth. Start slow and be patient with your dog, making it an enjoyable experience.
- Oral Rinses and Water Additives: Using oral rinses or water additives containing chlorhexidine, zinc gluconate, and vitamin C can help rinse away bacterial film accumulating on the gum tissue.
- Dental Wipes: Dental wipes can help remove plaque and bacterial film from the dog's teeth and gums, though they are less effective than brushing.
- Dental Diets and Chews: Special dental diets and chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) can help reduce plaque and tartar when given in addition to brushing and other at-home care methods.
- Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Schedule regular dental evaluations as part of your dog's annual preventive care exam. Early detection of potential problems can prevent severe dental issues down the line. Tuscan Ridge Animal Hospital offers comprehensive professional dental cleaning services for dogs to ensure their oral health is properly managed.
What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of Dental Disease in Dogs?
Knowing the signs and symptoms of dental disease in dogs is crucial when it comes to ensuring your pet’s health. Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
- Discolored teeth (brown or yellow)
- Loose or missing teeth
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Bloody saliva
- Decreased appetite
- Favoring one side of the mouth when chewing
- Excessive drooling
- Blood in the water bowl or on chew toys
- Decreased interest in eating dry food or hard treats
- Chewing more slowly than usual
- Dropping food from the mouth while chewing
- Pawing at the mouth
- New or worsening resistance to having the face/mouth touched
- Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further damage and health problems.
What Are Some Common Dental Diseases in Dogs?
The most common dental diseases in dogs include cysts, tumors, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and proliferating dog gum disease. While not a disease, tooth fractures are also common.
Why Is Early Detection and Diagnosis of Dental Disease So Important?
Early detection and diagnosis of dental disease can prevent pain, preserve the teeth and supporting structures, protect vital organs from infection, and provide early intervention. Regular veterinary check-ups are important for detecting dental problems before they become more serious. Pet owners can also ensure their pet’s dental health by brushing their teeth regularly, providing them with dental chews or toys, and monitoring them for any signs of dental issues.
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How Often Should My Dog’s Teeth Be Checked?
Most veterinarians recommend having dogs’ teeth professionally examined at least once a year. Senior pets and smaller breeds tend to have more dental problems than healthy adult dogs and may require more frequent check-ups. Furthermore, if your dog shows signs of gum disease, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent cleanings and exams to prevent the condition from worsening.
What Is a Professional Dental Cleaning Like for a Dog?
Professional dental cleaning for dogs usually involves a thorough examination, teeth cleaning, and polishing. This is done under general anesthesia to ensure that the procedure is comprehensive and safe. During the cleaning, the veterinary team will remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gum line and any other debris or evidence of infection. They will also examine the gums and jawbone for signs of periodontal disease. Afterward, they may polish the teeth with a special paste to give them a smooth surface to reduce future bacteria accumulation.
Why is anesthesia necessary for dental procedures in dogs?
Anesthesia is absolutely necessary to perform a thorough dental cleaning on your dog. Unfortunately, dogs are unwilling to hold still or not bite down on the dental equipment when put in their mouth. So, in order to accomplish a thorough dental exam and dental cleaning, and to do so in a manner that is safe for the patient and for the professional caregivers that are providing the dental cleaning, anesthesia is an absolute necessity.
How is anesthesia administered to my dog?
Anesthesia is administered to your dog by the trained medical staff that's caring for your dog. It starts with the doctor, who calculates all of the medications that will be used in your dog and actually sets up a protocol for what is going to be used or given to the patient. Then, the nursing staff draws up medication under the supervision of the veterinarian in charge. Following the placement of a catheter in your dog's arm to allow us access to their vein and the circulatory system, we administer the injectable anesthesia to your dog that will help them go to sleep safely. Once they're sleeping to the point where they are no longer conscious, we place a breathing tube down their airway and maintain that level of anesthesia through what we call gas anesthesia or an inhaled anesthetic agent.
Is age a factor in determining if my dog is a safe candidate for anesthesia?
That's one of my favorite questions I get asked all the time. I would say the answer to that question is no. The decision as to whether or not a patient is a safe and stable candidate for anesthesia has nothing to do with their age and more to do with how their general health is. Prior to any dental cleaning or any surgical procedure, we run blood work on all of our patients to make sure that there are no problems, no underlying disease, or what we call comorbidity that might cause us to think that they may not be a safe patient or a safe candidate for anesthesia. In addition, all patients are given a full physical exam before going under anesthesia the morning of or the day of the procedure. If I ever run across a patient whose blood work shows problems, we will simply cancel the procedure. But again, I'd emphasize that the decision to postpone or cancel a procedure involving anesthesia for that patient is not based on a number and age. It's based on lab values in blood work, findings on a physical exam, or some key piece of history that we've gotten from the pet parent that morning at the drop-off procedure.
Conclusion
Dental health is an essential part of your dog’s overall well-being. Ensuring their teeth and gums remain healthy can help prevent more serious health problems. As a pet owner, you should watch for signs of dental disease and schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with your veterinarian at least once a year. Home care, such as brushing regularly, providing dental chews or toys, and using oral rinses or water additives, can help maintain your pet’s dental health. Tuscan Ridge Animal Hospital is dedicated to delivering the highest quality and best service to pet owners, so you can rest assured that your pet’s dental needs will be taken care of properly when you entrust their care to us. Have any questions about canine dental health? Feel free to reach out to us at (919) 556-1944 or [email protected]!