Generally, dogs are full of energy and zeal. However, when it comes to a health issue, dogs prefer to stay quiet about it. You wouldn’t know your dog is suffering in silent due to oral health problems until you check or the vet finds out during routine check-up. Dental health issues are rapidly increasing with each passing year. According to veterinarians, over 80% of dogs above the age of 4 years experience oral health issues. Therefore, it’s highly crucial to pay attention to your dog’s teeth.
Many pet parents don’t recognize the symptoms of oral diseases in their pets, so below we have provided all the necessary information about dog teeth problems. First, let’s look at the signs of dental health problems in dogs –
- Excessive drooling
- Inflammation in gums
- Tartar buildup
- Blood coming from the gums
- Difficulty in eating
- Lameness
- Drooling continuously
- Pawing at the mouth
The above list is the most common signs of teeth problems in dogs. However, you should know that most dogs don’t show any signs of pain until it becomes unbearable. This is because when they were in the wild, showing signs of pain to others meant they were vulnerable. Thus, it’s you who has to take the matter in hands and check the dog’s teeth for any signs of teeth problems. Moreover, the dental problem isn’t just limited to gum disease; there are many other reasons behind oral health issue. In this blog, you’ll find out the most common teeth problems a dog faces.
Bad breath
Bad breath is the first indication of teeth problems in dogs. Whenever you feel like some bad odor is coming from your dog’s mouth, it’s a sign that there is something wrong with his teeth or gums. The reason behind bad breath is built-up tartar, stuck up food particles and other bacteria in the mouth. Therefore, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you observe any bad odor coming from the pet’s mouth.
Baby Teeth
All the puppies have deciduous teeth that fall off upon arrival of adult teeth. In the majority of cases, these teeth fall off without any problem. But, some dogs and puppies retain these teeth. Due to this, some dogs have baby teeth as well as adult teeth. This leads to a buildup of plaque and other dental infections in the dog.
Plaque/Tartar
Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria of the food that the dog consumes. It sticks to the surface of the dog’s teeth which has repugnant odor. Moreover, this bad odor gets even worse when the teeth aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. When the plaque remains on the teeth for a longer period of time, the dog’s saliva hardens it and thereafter it becomes tartar.
Gingivitis
When you notice red and inflamed gums, it is a sign of gingivitis. This occurs when the tartar and infection seep into the gums, below the gum tissue. It can cause irritation and can further weaken the gums. Therefore, it’s highly imperative to keep a check on your dog’s oral health. Brush his teeth regularly to prevent any such infection.
Periodontal Disease
When gingivitis gets worse, it becomes periodontal disease. It gets under the gum line and deteriorates the tissues and bones that keep the teeth in one place. Once this starts, little holes and pockets form around the teeth which let bacteria and food particles accumulate. This leads to many dangerous health issues and eventually loosens the tooth, making it fall out.
Teeth Fracture
Some dogs are quite aggressive when it comes to chewing food or a toy. Chew bones and other hard toys can actually cause your dog’s teeth to break. This depends on the size of the chew or the amount of pressure the dog is applying. Either way, these hard chews can be very harmful to your pet’s teeth thus it is advised to keep the dog away from any hard toy or object.
6 Effective Ways To Improve Dental Health Of Your Dog
If you want to protect your furry pal from any such dental health problems, ensure you brush his teeth regularly. Moreover, see that you only use toothpaste and toothbrush developed especially for dogs. You can find a range of PetDent products which are made specifically for pets.
