Common Dental Diseases in Dogs & It’s Treatment

Vets say that about 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease that needs treatment to relieve infection and pain. Dogs develop certain dental diseases if not taken inconsistent care of. As a pet parent, you require to be vigilant and meticulous in order to maintain your Fido’s dental hygiene.

Sometimes you may not even know that your pet is suffering from oral discomfort. If left untreated, these dental diseases can be tremendously painful in dogs which can stimulate bleeding gums, decreased appetite and rotten teeth. Moreover, if pet parents fail to pay heed to treat dental problems, these diseases can develop in other parts of the dog’s body. The dental disease can cause malignant organ damage in the kidneys, liver, brain tissues and heart.

Awareness is the first step toward safety. Therefore, here’s a rundown of dental diseases in dogs that every pet parent should be aware of.

common dental disease in dogs

1 – Plaque and Tartar Build-Up

Plaque is a soft film of food debris and food bacteria that accumulates every day and sticks to the surface of the dog’s teeth after every meal. It is easy to remove plaque by just brushing your dog daily. The mechanical forces of the brush help to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.

Plaque when combines with the salt present in the saliva, becomes hardened within 24 hours. As plaque continues to build up and mineralize, it eventually transforms into tartar also called calculus. The tartar is porous and rough which develops above and below the gum line.

You can make your dog rid of tartar or minimize its presence by brushing his teeth daily by using quality toothpaste.

2 – Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection that builds up in a substance called plaque. The plaque sticks to the tooth surface and if not removed can eventually indurate tartar. The bacterial infection in tartar causes irreversible changes over time. It destroys the supportive tissue and bone, resulting in bad breath, loosening of teeth and bleeding gums.

Other signs of periodontal disease include drooling, difficulty in eating, bad breath, loose or missing teeth, tooth discolouration, pawing at the tooth or mouth, and red, swollen or bleeding gums.

3 – Tooth Decay

The damage of the tooth structure is caused due to de-mineralizing acids created when plaque bacteria develops and attacks the tooth’s dentin and enamel. Irrespective of your dog’s breed or age, tooth decay can occur anytime if you compromise with maintaining his oral hygiene. Your dog doesn’t brush twice or thrice a day to keep his teeth sparkling white and his breath fresh on his own. So, it can always be a daunting task to make a restless and fussy dog brush twice a day.

However, as a pet parent, you need to be punctilious about taking care of your pup’s oral health. There is a number of products available in the market to keep up with their oral maintenance.

4 – Gingivitis

Gingivitis in dogs is caused by bacteria that accumulate due to the build-up of plaque and tartar. The inflammation of gums become painful and severe in a way that gums may even start to bleed. At first, Gingivitis can begin with mild inflammation of gums but with the advancement of gum disease, the symptoms become more severe and noticeable. Lack of oral hygiene and poor diet are the main causes of gingivitis in dogs.

Fortunately, there are numbers of dental products for dogs, also food products available on the market, which are designed to assist your dog’s oral health.

Dental Products and Dental Food Benefits
Prozym Rf2 Dental Solution
– Wonderful dental solution for cats and dogs
– Fights against dental plaque and bad breath
– Helps keep teeth and gums healthy
– Easy to use product
Dentipet Toothpaste for Dogs and Cats
– It is an excellent easy to use oral dental product to clean teeth in pets.
– Dentipet toothpaste reduces plaque and tartar build-up.
– It kills oral bacteria and keeps breath fresh.
Aquadent FRESH Water Additive
– Fights bad breath and prevents plaque formation
– Promotes gum health
– Freshens mouth and stops bad odour
– Prevents growth of bad breath causing bacteria
Advance Triple Action Dental Care Adult Small Breed Dog Dry Food (Chicken & Rice) – Beef flavoured toothpaste reduces plaque and tartar build-up
– Removes yellow colouration on teeth
– Kills oral bacteria and kills bad breath

The key management of dental disease in dogs is prevention. To get the best results, tooth brushing should start when your dog is a puppy because, with the increasing age, the dog develops tooth and gum disease. The pain in their teeth can be associated with brushing and they may be less willing to allow brushing. Moreover, monitor your dog’s mouth regularly and take your dog to the veterinarian frequently so they can perform oral exams or clean regularly.