Similar to humans, your pet dog can also have dental problems. Therefore, as a responsible dog owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog is free from any type of dental disease. The best way to prevent any dental problem with your dog is to brush and inspect your dog’s teeth daily. Keep in mind that catching possible problems early and working on prevention methods is always the best option.
But how do you know if your dog is suffering from any dental problem? Below is a list of common dental problems that your dog may experience:
1. Malocclusions – this is a common dental problem that is usually faced by puppies, which involves improper eruption of their adult teeth.
This condition happens when and adult tooth erupts directly under a baby tooth that has not yet fallen out, causing inflammation and tooth breakdown. In some cases, the adult tooth erupts in the wrong position, causing the rest of the teeth to become impacted or pushed out of position. This can be painful and if left untreated it can cause an infection. With that, it’s important to frequently check your puppy’s mouth to ensure that all teeth appear to be growing in normal condition. The most critical ages that you should monitor your puppy’s mouth are between 14 and 24 weeks old.
2. Calculus – this is a kind of dental problem that starts from a buildup of brown-coloured plaque on the dog’s teeth. This condition, which overlaps both the tooth and the gum line, is one of the most common dental problems that dogs may encounter. If left untreated, calculus can lead to abscesses and tooth loss. Moreover, an extreme case of calculus can lead to internal organ damage because bacteria can travel from the teeth into the blood stream.
3. Gingivitis – a gum disease that is caused by a bacterial build-up on the dog’s teeth. This leads to receding gums, making teeth loose. When humans lose their teeth after severe cases of gingivitis, they are fitted for dentures, however, that is not the case for dogs so gum care is very essential. With that, it is very important that you brush your dog’s teeth and gums with pet toothpaste containing calcium fluoride, silica, horsetail and dandelion for an ultimate dental care.
4. Periodontal disease – bleeding gums is a sign of periodontal disease in dogs. If you notice red spots on chew bones or bloody gums when checking your dog’s teeth, take your dog to a vet right away. When gingivitis has been left too long, a dog can develop periodontal disease or inflammation of the tooth support structures and have oral bone loss. Dogs with severe periodontal disease may exhibit a pus-like discharge from their teeth and microscopic lesions on the liver, kidneys and brain.
5. Fractured dog tooth – dogs of any age can fracture a tooth. Older dogs commonly damage their mandibular canines, the maxillary fourth premolars and incisors while young dogs often fracture their deciduous canine teeth. The most common causes for fractured teeth include chewing on chain-link fences, crates and kennel doors. To avoid this condition, dogs should be supervised when playing with hard chew toys, ice cubes or with training dummies. Then, after playtime, check your dog’s teeth for cracks, chips or fractures.
As a responsible dog owner, it is your responsibility to protect your pet from any possible dental disease, that’s why it is a must that you are familiar with the types of dental problems that your dog may have.
In celebration of Pet Dental Health Month, Petitude is encouraging all pet owners to take their pets to the vets for a dental check. Find out how you can avail of a free nurse dental check for your pet this month of August!
