What Are The Most Common Dog Dental Problems
Canine Dental Problems
Dogs have a lot of the same dental problems as humans. Be sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly and give them chew toys to prevent the build-up of tartar which can lead to some pretty nasty health problems.
Build-up of Tartar
This problem can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, is a result of bacteria and plaque buildup on teeth. Tartar is more than just a bad smell or yellowing teeth – it is a condition that can lead to serious dental problems. Aside from routine dental cleanings, daily brushing is the most effective way to remove tartar and keep your pup’s teeth healthy.
Gum Disease
It is also known as periodontal disease, hits dogs much more often than humans. Periodontal disease caries along in pets like it can in humans, but there are some differences. Dogs tend to develop gum disease at a later age than humans (otherwise known as “geriatric gum disease”), and when they do they have more advanced bone loss and tissue loss of both their periodontium and alveolar bone.
Masticatory Muscle Disease
Commonly this condition can be seen in older dogs. It occurs when the muscles that control chewing are weak due to age, and then lead to tooth loss. Other causes include trauma, stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), cancer or brain damage. To prevent dental problems like this from occurring it’s important that pets should be regularly brushed and given appropriate chew toys for their specific needs.
Trauma To A Dog’s Mouth
A common pet dental issue. Dogs are much more likely to injure their teeth than humans are – especially if they fight with other animals or get hit by car while on walks. It’s important that you take your dog to the vet immediately if they are injured in any way as some injuries may require surgery and without prompt treatment could lead to tooth loss.
Mouth trimmings
These are the food pieces that get left behind after a meal and will affect the effectiveness of your dog’s teeth cleaning routine. It’s important to remove these as much as possible when giving your dog a brush or chew toy, and to keep them out of sight by giving them their meal in one spot. Otherwise, they will cause problems with your dog’s teeth cleaning routine and can lead to bad dental health.
Bacteria from dirty paws
This can also be transferred into the mouth through contact with paws. Be sure to wash your dog’s paws daily, and make sure not to share food utensils with other animals (like birds).
Rug Chewing
It can lead to a lot of dental problems. This includes chewing on carpet or rugs, as well as dogs’ beds and blankets, causing periodontal disease or gum disease. It’s recommended that all pets be kept off the floor, furniture, and rugs to avoid this sort of damage.
Malocclusion
Teeth may also grow into different places than they are supposed to – this is called malocclusion and results in serious problems for your dog. If you notice any noticeable change in your dog’s teeth follow up with a Vet.
Dogs Diets
Certain diets are also linked with dental issues in dogs. Certain foods can lead to gum disease and tartar build-up – wheat products, onions, broccoli and cauliflower can all be linked with these issues. It’s important that you feed your dog a diet that does not cause these problems – try a healthy puppy food from a known brand for a couple years before switching over to adult food if you wish to avoid these problems.
Cold Weather
Something as simple as having a cold can be bad for your dog. If you have diarrhea, get some medication for it at the Vet and avoid giving them treats or food. Make sure to keep medications away from their toys/treats.
Regular Hygiene
Many of these problems can be mitigated with routine cleanings at the vet – but if this is not an option after all possible options have been exhausted, or if you are a good pet owner who loves your dog and has nothing to hide, you should consider getting bonded canine teeth cleaning for a small fee.
The above list is just the tip of the iceberg. If you remember nothing else, remember that tooth decay and gum disease are major problems for dogs. A dental cleaning at the vet or brushing your dog’s teeth regularly will help keep their teeth healthy and breath smelling fresh. This is also important and in healthy cats
