Dental disease in dogs: Signs, causes, and treatments

Contents:

• What is dental disease?
• Signs of dental disease
• How to check your dog’s mouth for dental disease
• What to do if you think your dog has dental disease
• FAQs about dental disease in dogs

What is dental disease?

Dental disease includes inflammation of the gums and accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth. It’s one of the most common medical conditions seen in pets. Symptoms of dental disease include gingivitis (red, inflamed gums) and halitosis (bad breath). Dental disease is not only painful but can lead to early tooth loss. If left untreated, dental disease can contribute to certain heart, liver and kidney problems.

How do dogs get dental disease?

Dental disease in dogs occurs when their teeth aren’t cleaned regularly. Everyday activities such as eating causes particles of food, bacteria and saliva to stick to your dog’s teeth above and below the gumline, forming a layer of plaque. If that plaque isn’t brushed away, it will harden into tartar.

Other factors that can contribute to dental disease include genetics, abnormal dentition, oral trauma, the presence of long hair around the mouth, and more.

How do I know if my dog has dental disease?

There are several common signs of dental disease in dogs you should watch out for.

They have bad breath

Your dog may have doggy breath, but it shouldn’t smell bad. Halitosis, or bad breath, can be an indicator that they have dental disease.

While undesirable, doggy habits like eating strange things can sometimes be the perpetrator of halitosis. More commonly, an accumulation of plaque, which is an aggregation of bacteria, causes the bad breath.

There is discolouration or build-up of plaque and tartar on their teeth

Your dog’s teeth should be pearly white in colour. Teeth with yellow and brown stains are a sign that plaque and tartar have built up and must be cleaned off. Plaque can be removed at home by cleaning their teeth with a toothbrush or dental chews. Tartar, however, needs to be professionally removed during a scale and polish by your veterinarian as it is too solid to be removed otherwise.

 

Their gums are red and inflamed

A major indicator that your dog’s dental disease is quite progressed is the presence of red or inflamed gums. Gingivitis, the inflammation of the gums, is very painful for your pet. They usually avoid chewing with the painful part of their mouth, which then allows more plaque and tartar to build up. If left untreated, this condition can worsen and lead to gum recession and early tooth loss.

They have swelling under their eye

Advanced dental disease in dogs can cause symptoms that extend beyond the mouth. Infections and fractured teeth can lead to abscesses and swelling under your dog’s eyes, as the roots of the big molar teeth extend all the way up to the sinuses below the eyes.

Other signs of dental disease in dogs

Most of the time dogs do not show any symptoms of their dental disease, no matter how painful their mouth is. They will continue eating as best they can, so reluctance to eat is not a reliable symptom of dental pain. Very rarely you may see chattering their teeth, or drooling, but most of the time there are no signs.

How to check for dental disease in dogs

Learning how to spot common signs of dental disease is the first step in providing your dog with the dental care they need and deserve.

Inspect your dog’s teeth and gums regularly and keep an eye out for any changes in how they chew their food or treats. If in doubt, take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups so they can prescribe the appropriate treatment plan for your pet.

What do I do if my dog is showing signs of dental disease?

If you notice your dog has signs of dental disease, the first thing you need to do is book a dental check up with your veterinarian. Your vet will examine and assess your dog’s teeth and recommend a treatment plan to improve your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.

 

At home, implement a daily dental care routine that aligns with your vet’s recommendations. Brush your dog’s teeth, feed them a dental diet or daily dental chews. There are many different things you can do to easily clean your dog’s teeth at home.

We know how important it is to look after our own teeth, and our pets’ teeth are no different. Regularly checking for these signs of dental disease and implementing a daily dental care routine will quickly improve your dog’s dental health and prevent dental disease, as well as their overall happiness and wellbeing.