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Dental ailments are one of the most common oral health issues seen among canines. The research data has revealed that the prevalence of periodontal diseases is seen among 80% of dogs above three years. Certain perceived clinical signs are associated with the period, i.e., dental calculus, halitosis, mobile, or lost teeth.
The dental ailments in your canines, such as gum diseases, are inflammatory diseases affecting the tooth-supporting tissue. If you overlook the signs and it remains untreated, the disease may lead to progressive tissue and tooth loss. Many studies have revealed an increased prevalence of periodontal disease in smaller dogs; the severity of the disease increases with age.
Dogs’ dental illnesses must be treated and prevented as part of a dog’s overall wellness care. Regular brushing and taking proper care of your canines’ gum line & toot root is essential to prevent dental diseases. Veterinary dentists are perfect companions to take care of your pet’s oral health. Delta ailments can lead to behavioral issues in your pet.
So to keep these diseases at bay, we have talked about how to take care of a pet’s oral hygiene and shared some critical care tips. Read through the articles to get aware of canine dental disease and schedule an appointment with your pet dentist to care for your furry friend.
What Are The Most Common Dental Disease In Canines
The most prevalent dental problems observed in dogs are periodontal disease and fractured teeth. The periodontal disease terms describe the infection and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth, i.e., the periodontium. The periodontium is formed by four tissues gingiva, the cementum, which covers the root surface, the periodontal ligament that covers the ligament attaching the tooth root to the bone & the alveolar bone.
The ailments in the pet start with gingivitis; when untreated, the infection spreads deep into the tooth socket resulting in destroying the bone. It finally leads to losing teeth over time.
Periodontal disease is brought on by a number of conditions, including:
Bacteria in your dog’s mouth can build up and form plaque, which hardens in two to three days when it comes into contact with other minerals. After that, calculus develops on the teeth, making it more difficult to scrape away. The immune system will begin to battle the bacteria accumulation, resulting in symptoms like swollen gums and more visible indicators of gum disease.
Environmental factors like grooming habits (does your puppy lick himself frequently?), unclean toys, tooth alignment (puppies with crowded teeth are more prone to gum disease), and dental hygiene can all play a role in whether your dog develops periodontal disease.
Apart from periodontal disease, two types of tooth fracture are common in dogs that involve the tooth’s crown. When the fracture is not severe, it exposes sensitive dentin. But when the fracture is complex along with dentin, it goes deeper to expose the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
Signs of Dental Problems in Dogs
Some of the common signs seen while your canine companions suffer from dental diseases are lousy breath, inflamed gums, bleeding gums or blood spots seen on dog toys/bedding, pawing, swollen face, loss of appetite, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, lethargy, etc. Based on the complexity of the condition, you also may witness discoloration of teeth or visible tartar buildup.
Whenever you witness any of such signs, you should immediately consult a vet specializing in veterinary dentistry. To find a specialized vet near you, you can take help from the online vet directory such as GratVet. The platform helps you reputed clinics in your area based on your zip code, city, metro area, or neighborhood. Besides, you can check out for a vet based on your pet’s health needs and book an appointment immediately.
What Is The Treatment For Periodontal Disease In Dogs?
Dental procedures, including tooth cleanings, can cost a lot of money depending on your veterinarian’s level of care, your pet’s demands, and other considerations. Before going through the process of anesthesia, your pet will require blood tests to confirm she is healthy enough to take the drug, which might create issues in dogs with organ illnesses.
Treatment decided by the vet based on the severity and extent of the gum disease:
Dog mouthwash
Dog mouthwash is suggested to keep a dog’s dental health in excellent working order. It’s been carefully developed for dogs and is completely safe to consume. Mouthwash for dogs effectively reduces germs, enhances breath, and removes plaque buildup.
Anti-inflammatory pain relief
A veterinarian may prescribe Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to treat any pain caused by a gum infection. Anti-inflammatory medicines and antibiotics will almost certainly be necessary following any operation.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be used to treat tooth infections, including tooth abscesses caused by periodontal disease. Antibiotics are frequently given to dogs with severe dental disease in the days leading up to and following a dental cleaning, along with the mechanical removal of plaque and calculus through scaling. Besides, antibiotics such as Amoxicillin-clavulanate, clindamycin, and nitroimidazoles, like metronidazole and tinidazole, are effectively used based on pharmacokinetic and clinical studies.
Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning is a more serious procedure that removes plaque and tartar buildup. Because this is the only technique to securely clean and remove teeth, your dog will be put under anesthesia. While they’re asleep, a veterinarian can take X-rays to see if there are any additional issues with their teeth and bones. Because many of the symptoms of periodontal disease are buried beneath the gum line, this is crucial for diagnosing the illness.
- When you witness any sign of dental health, visiting a pet dentist is the best choice. The dentist does a thorough dental examination, and dental scaling and polishing to remove the plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces are performed after that.
- Vets opt for. Intraoral radiographs (X-rays) to check the viability of the tooth root and surrounding bone. If periodontal disease condition is severe and it has affected the tooth, vets perform an extraction. Besides, the medical practitioners opt for tooth scaling with a traditional hand scaler or using ultrasonic cleaning equipment to remove tartar from above and below the gum line.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Your Dog’s Gum Disease?
Gum disease expands to other parts of the mouth, causing infection. Periodontitis is an irreversible condition in which the tooth becomes detached from the gums and socket, resulting in tooth destruction and loss. Periodontal disease can cause painful tooth abscesses, which should be treated as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, but the infected tooth may need to be removed surgically in some circumstances.
Gum disease can also lead to more severe ailments. Oral hygiene has been related to diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Diabetes has been linked to a greater rate of periodontal disease in dogs, according to research.
Diabetes becomes more problematic as the periodontal disease progresses. As a result, periodontal disease progresses. Heart disease and other organ damage are also increased by periodontal disease. The bacteria that stays in a dog’s mouth can enter the circulation, where they can infect the heart if their immune system fails to fight the germs circulating in the blood.
A healthy set of teeth and gums indicates that your dog is in good physical shape. As dogs become older, regular dental care can help them live longer, happier lives. To battle tooth disease, you should mix a balanced diet, dental care, and toys.
Examine your dog’s gums and mouth for symptoms of illness on a frequent basis, and schedule regular dental check-ups with your veterinarian. It’s crucial to know that many pet insurance policies don’t cover dental procedures, so making sure your dog’s teeth and gums are healthy is essential.
How to Keep Your Dog’s Gums Healthy
Gum disease can be combated in a number of ways:
Dental examinations
You should schedule your dog or cat’s dental check-ups and cleanings regularly. It’s critical to have your pet’s dental health evaluated by a veterinarian at least once a year. Your pet insurance policy may require annual dental examinations. If you don’t have them, your provider may refuse to pay for dental care if you don’t have them. Plaque clearance is required in the early stages of gum disease, while more severe forms of gum disease may necessitate surgery.
Brushing on a daily basis
Brush your pet’s teeth a minimum of twice a day using animal-safe toothpaste. Daily brushing and flossing done correctly will help eliminate the majority of plaque from a dog’s teeth, but even once or twice a week is better than nothing. For dogs, there are specific toothbrushes and toothpaste. When a dog is young, it’s good to start cleaning its teeth. They’ll rapidly become accustomed to having their teeth brushed daily.
A balanced diet
Sugary meals will cause germs to build upon your dog’s teeth, so don’t overfeed them. Many dog owners and veterinarians feel that feeding dogs raw meaty bones is beneficial to their dental health. They encourage vigorous chewing and help to maintain gums healthy. Natural enzymes in raw food diets help dogs fight bacterial plaque, resulting in healthier teeth and gums.
Chewing toys and snacks
Dog owners may purchase toys meant to clean their dogs’ teeth while they gnaw on them. They encourage a dog’s natural drive to chew while strengthening its teeth. Enzymes and chewing combine in these dogs’ chew to aggressively remove plaque and tartar from teeth and gums.
Takeaway
You need to opt for a routine oral health check-up to prevent periodontal disease or any other dental disease in your furry friend. You scroll through this blog as a guide to get yourself aware of t canine dental problems and the best way to find the best pet dentist near you.
It can help you to identify gum disease at an early stage. To find the best pet dentist nearby, you can leverage GreatVet to find a vet dentist that can serve the care needs of your pet at best. To know more about dog dental care, you can read this Dog Dental Health Facts To Know For Pet Owners.
Disclaimer: The content on the site is for educational purposes only, and it does not provide medical advice. The shared information must not be treated as a substitute for or alternative for medical practitioner advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Regarding any concerns about your pet’s health, seeking veterinary guidance is of utmost necessity. Each pet has specific health, fitness & nutrition needs. Do not disregard, avoid or delay pet health-related advice from veterinarians based on reading the information provided on this site.
