Your dog’s behavior might not make clear the oral discomfort they’re experiencing. Just like humans require regular dental hygiene and treatment, so does your dog. Having dog insurance to support their oral health is very important. The easiest way to prevent common health issues in dogs starts with a strong dental care routine.
Signs Of Dental Problems In Dogs
People often overlook dental disease in older dogs, assuming that any behavioral changes are due to old age. Below are some of the symptoms of teeth problems in dogs:
- Dogs tend to lose interest in chewing their toys or playing with them
- They show fussiness with the food, eating from one side only, or even face problems picking up their food\
- Rubbing the mouth
- Salivating more
- When you try to examine their mouth, they experience pain
- There is blood in the water or food bowl
- Smelly breath
- Red or swollen gums
The below dental disease in dogs can be extremely painful if poor oral health is left untreated.
Plaque And Tartar Buildup
The primary cause of loose teeth and gum diseases in dogs is plaque and tartar. The signs that owners may notice include bad breath, discolored deposits on teeth, and a red, swollen gum line (known as gingivitis). As the disease progresses, it becomes worse with increased gum bleeding and bad breath.
Plaque is generally a film that forms on teeth that is composed of bacteria. When the plaque accumulates, it hardens into tartar. Plaque is composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins colonized by many types of bacteria that are present in the mouth.
If this is not removed, they harden and form more breeding grounds for the bacteria. This can cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums, bad breath, weakened teeth, and bad bone structure. If left untreated, more serious conditions may also appear in other parts of the body that can cause infections in vital organs such as the heart, kidney, or liver.
Oral Infections
It is very difficult to keep a dog’s teeth clean, so dog teeth problems are especially common. The open space around the roots can be filled with bacteria which leads to oral infections in dogs. The infection can manifest as a tooth root abscess. This abscess can get so large that it leads to facial swelling. Oral infections are caused due to periodontal disease. Dogs that mostly chew on sharp objects can injure their mouths and develop infections.
Organ Damage
The dental problems in dogs do not remain only in a dog’s mouth. If the dog is facing irritated gums, the bacteria present in the plaque and tartar easily enters the bloodstream. These bacteria make their way from the bloodstream to other organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, and even brain, thus causing organ damage. Organ damage can cause organ diseases, can worsen existing diseases a dog is facing, and even can cause organ failure.
Tooth Fractures
Dogs that are powerful chewers easily face tooth fractures, as these dogs tend to chew things like bones, antlers, and even hard plastics that cause teeth to break. Just like a human, even dogs can break or fracture their teeth. However, dogs are five times more likely to get gum disease.
Dogs have an alkaline balance in their mouths that promotes plaque formation, which is the common cause of dental problems in dogs. Accordingly, dog owners should take care of a dog’s teeth regularly so that they can uncover any problems before they turn into severe issues.
Periodontal Disease
The periodontal tissues include the gums and bone by which surround the teeth. Periodontal diseases start with gingivitis. As periodontal disease increases over time, it causes a loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth.
As the main support structures of the teeth start degrading, small pockets start developing near the roots of the teeth that allow food, bacteria, and debris to collect in those pockets. This in turn can cause dangerous infections. Furthermore, teeth may loosen and begin to fall out.
It is very important to visit the vet for an examination if a dog is showing any signs of dental problems. Sometimes, a professional dental cleaning is required under anesthesia to remove plaque and tartar which lead to disease.
