Common Dog Dental Problems & How Veterinary Dentistry Can Help

Providing your dog with proper oral care will help protect them from a variety of preventable oral diseases. In today's post, our Sacramento vet dentists discuss some common dog dental problems and how veterinary dentistry can help protect your pup. 

Veterinary Dentistry for Dogs

Keeping your dog's mouth clean is essential to their overall well-being, but most dogs don't receive the dental health care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

In fact, our pet dentists in Sacramento often see dogs developing signs of periodontal disease (gum disease) or other dental issues by the time they reach about 3 years of age. This early start to dental disease can have serious negative consequences for their long-term health. 

The best way to ensure your dog maintains their oral health is to combine at-home dental care with an annual professional dental exam.  

What are the most common signs of oral concerns in dogs?

Sometimes you may be unable to spot the signs of periodontal disease until it has become advanced, however, if you notice any of the following it is time to arrange an appointment with your vet dentist:

Common Dog Dental Issues That Our Veterinary Dentists Treat

Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Periodontal disease, or gum disease as it's more commonly called, is a condition that occurs when there is an excessive amount of plaque build-up on your pup's teeth. If plaque (a thin, sticky film of bacteria) isn't regularly removed, it can harden into a substance called calculus or tartar that becomes more difficult for our pet dentists to remove. 

Tartar buildup causes pockets to form between your dog's teeth and gum line where infection can develop. If gum disease isn't treated eventually your dog's teeth can become loose and fall out.

Oral Infections in Dogs

With periodontal disease, the open space around the tooth roots can become filled with bacteria, leading to an infection. This infection can cause a good deal of pain for your dog and can result in a tooth root abscess. 

Besides the negative oral health impacts a tooth infection has, it can also negatively affect your dog's overall body health.  Just as in humans, there have been links found between periodontal disease and heart disease in dogs. This is due to bacteria entering the bloodstream from the mouth, damaging heart function, and causing issues with other organs. These health issues are in addition to the more obvious problem of pain caused by eroded gums, and missing or damaged teeth. 

Dog Tooth Fractures 

One of the things that dogs love most is to chew on things However, you should always ensure that your dog never chews on certain items, such as bones or very hard plastic can cause your pup's teeth to fracture or break. Tooth fractures are also more likely when your dog is chewing on an object that is too big for their mouth. 

When selecting chew toys be sure to pick something that is an appropriate size and material for your dog. Speak to your vet dentist about what they would recommend. 

When Your Dog Retains Their Baby Teeth 

All puppies have baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth). In most situations, these teeth will fall out by the time your dog reaches 6 months of age. However, in some cases, some of the teeth will remain. This can cause over-crowding which can result in extra plaque build-up and make it more difficult to keep your pup's mouth clean.

Typically, your vet dentist will recommend these teeth be removed under anesthetic to prevent future issues. Many vets will do this when the dog is already under anesthesia for a spay or neuter.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is your dog in need of routine dental care?  Contact our Sacramento pet dentists today to book an appointment.