If you’re a dog lover, you know that one of the most important parts of caring for your dog is making sure their teeth remain healthy. The most common problems related to dog teeth are tartar and plaque buildup. However, your dog’s teeth can also be affected by infections, tooth decay, missing teeth, and more.
Knowing the Dog Dental Issues
Here are the top 9 doggie dental issues that you should be checking for:
1. Bad breath
In addition to regular brushing and dental cleaner, bad breath, or halitosis, is one of the top dog dental issues.
Poor dental health, which includes gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), tooth decay, and dental malocclusion (when the teeth do not meet correctly), can lead to bacteria in the mouth and lead to halitosis.
The majority of dogs will have some bad breath at some stage in their life. Both dogs and humans share similar mouth bacteria, but the difference is that dogs do not seem to be as sensitive to the smell of their breath as we humans are. Bad breath in dogs can either be due to gum disease, tooth decay, or a combination of both.
2. Yellow Teeth and Tartar Buildup
Most dogs combine plaque and tartar on their teeth. But as your dog ages, so do his teeth. As tartar builds up, it hardens into a rough, yellowish-brown material called calculus.
Both tartar and calculus build up along the gum line, between the teeth, and on the biting surfaces of the teeth. Tartar is primarily composed of organic compounds, saliva, and minerals from the food and water your dog consumes.
It’s also made up of dead white blood cells and bacteria. At some point in your dog’s life, he or she is going to need a tooth cleaning!
For certain dog breeds such as the Bloodhound, the Pug, and the Bulldog, this is a part of life. These breeds are known to develop tartar buildup and yellowing in their teeth faster than other dogs.
3. Swollen gums
Dogs get swollen gums for many reasons. Most of them are pretty harmless, but you should always check with your veterinarian to be sure. Swollen gums are a sign that something is wrong in a dog’s mouth.
It could be as simple as a toothache or as severe as a life-threatening disease. Your dog’s teeth and gums are the front lines in the battle against tooth decay, infections, and loss of teeth. Good dental health in dogs is vital to their overall health and longevity.
4. Oral mass
The good news is that most dogs will not develop masses in their mouths. Masses in the mouth and jaw are rare in dogs, accounting for only about 2 to 5 percent of all oral lesions.
The most common location for oral mass tumors in dogs is near the mandible or maxilla in the mouth, although masses can develop anywhere in the oral cavity.
A mass in the mouth could be a cyst, tumor, or abscess. However, masses in the mouth are more often cysts or tumors than abscesses.
5. Overcrowded teeth
When your dog has overcrowded teeth, it can be difficult for them to gnaw on bones or chew the type of treats they love.
While it’s true that your pup’s teeth will naturally continue to grow throughout their lifetimes, they should not grow so long that their teeth pull at their gums and cause bleeding.
If your dog is suffering from overcrowding, there are several treatment options available to you. The first step to treating your dog’s overcrowded teeth is to take them to the veterinarian to be evaluated. Your dog will need to have an x-ray to determine if their teeth are indeed crowding.
6. Misaligned teeth
Misaligned teeth are a common problem in dogs, as in humans. Although, it’s not quite as severe for us as it is for our four-legged friends.
Because dogs don’t brush their teeth and their diet isn’t as healthy as ours, they’re more prone to tooth problems. (Although their soft, furry tongues are good at keeping their teeth clean of plaque.)
7. Periodontal disease
The most common cause of periodontal disease in dogs is plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film on the teeth made up of bacteria, food particles, saliva, and mucus.
This can build up on the teeth and harden into tartar. Tartar is a firm deposit of plaque made of tartar crystals and plaque bacteria, which then forms and attaches to the tooth surface.
8. Broken tooth
Broken teeth are a common problem in dogs. While they don’t show symptoms, these teeth can become infected and a bit of an emergency.
It’s important to take your dog to the Vet if you notice that he has broken a tooth, as problems that arise can go unnoticed until it’s too late. A broken tooth can lead to further complications, including an abscessed tooth and even a food impaction.
9. Fractured jaw
We all love our puppies and want to do everything we can to keep them healthy and looking great. Many dogs face a common dental issue is a fractured jaw, but what causes this to happen?
When the bone in the dog’s jaw is fractured, it begins to grow abnormally. This can be caused by several issues, such as chronic pain, dog aggression, and hormonal changes.
Dental problems can range from minor issues like tartar and plaque to more serious periodontal disease or tooth decay problems. The best way to know if your dog has a dental problem is to take him to the Vet.
More About the Dog Dental Issues
Although it may be hard to believe, dental hygiene is a serious concern for many dogs. Most dogs between the ages of 3 and 5 have some dental disease.
Some signs will tell that your dog has dental problems. If you want to see them with your own eyes, you should start looking for them.
There are some common signs such as red gums, loss of appetite, drooling, and bad breath. Dogs that have these symptoms require dental surgery to fix their problems.
Not only can bad breath be an embarrassing issue, but it can also be a sign of a serious dental issue. Many dog owners don’t realize how serious these problems can be, but a checkup by a professional can give you peace of mind and keep your pup healthy for years to come.
The Dog Dental Care
As a dog owner, the first thing you should know is that your pet needs to have a dental care routine. The dental health of your dog will depend on your passion for taking care of his teeth.
Brushing your pet’s teeth is the easiest way to keep them in tip-top shape. You can help keep your dogs’ teeth healthy by using a canine toothpaste formulated for their type of teeth, by feeding food that will help keep their teeth clean and healthy, by brushing their teeth at least once a week, and by taking them to the Vet for regular dental checkups.
- Here are other brushing tips for your dogs:
- Be sure to use a toothpaste formulated for dogs.
- Do not use the fluoride type that we use.
- Make sure to visit the Vet at least once a year for a checkup.
- Pay attention to the changes in your dog’s gums and teeth. If you notice that your dog’s teeth are getting dark or other changes, make sure to let the Vet know.
- If any of your pets have bad breath, it means that the gums are infected, and the teeth need to be cleaned.
Many factors influence the oral health of your dog, including genetics and breed. So, make sure to keep your dog’s teeth clean.
Foods for Better Dental Health
A dog’s smile is just as important as yours is. Without proper care, problems can easily arise. Like kids, dogs need good foods and regular checkups to protect their teeth, gums, and overall health.
While brushing your dog’s teeth daily is the most important step, you should also consider adding some raw veggies to your diet. Here are a few foods you may want to try:
1. Biodent
Biodent is a supplement used as a healthy food for dogs, it is commonly used by owners of pets, but some vets recommend it.
It is made of natural ingredients, and as a result, its quality is outstanding, but the same cannot be said for its cost, but it is not always possible to be cheap if we want to use the best possible thing for our dog’s health. Talk to your Vet about the alternatives to Biodent.
2. Antioxidants
Antioxidants like vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene are known to be good for human dental health, but what about dog’s dental health? Antioxidants are great for your dog’s dental health because they fight against the free radicals that cause gum disease, cavities, and other problems.
3. Probiotics
Not only can your dog benefit from daily probiotic supplements, but he can also get it from the food you feed him. The probiotic content in some foods you normally give him can help improve his dental health, just as it does for humans.
While your dog does not need to consume probiotics regularly, there are a couple of instances when it might be beneficial to give him a bit more than usual: If he is having trouble with a toothache or dental pain, or if you notice a bad smell in his mouth.
4. Raw meaty bones
You may have heard that raw meaty bones of chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and fish are great for dogs. Not only are they rich in protein and other nutrients, but they also clean the teeth and massage the gums, which is good for dental health.
This is especially true for puppies who have baby teeth that tend to fall out as they mature so that the adult teeth can grow in.
And even older dogs can benefit from eating raw bones, but you should be careful to avoid broken teeth and take care to avoid choking.
5. Fatty acids
Fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, are important for keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Fish oil supplements are a safe and natural way to promote and support your dog’s dental health.
Every dog owner knows how hard it is to eliminate the odor and plaque that forms on their dog’s teeth. Dogs fed human food or snacks tend to have worse problems than those fed with dog food.
The reason is that dog food is specially formulated for their dental health. That is why you need to feed your dogs foods that are good for their dental health.
