The canine dental he alth is as important as being rigorous with the vaccination schedule or with the type of food you give your furry friend Many times we forget to take care of dogs' teeth, believing that if in nature the dog does not need a brush or rinse, then why would he need them at home?
However, this statement is not entirely true. Even in the wild, canines have certain mechanisms that allow them to protect their teeth and gums, and when these fail, an oral problem can be lethal. That is why our site presents you with this article on common dental diseases in dogs
Teeth that don't fall out
As occurs with humans, dogs have temporary or "milk" teeth, after which the permanent teeth should appearDespite this, on some occasions one or more of the milk teeth fail to come off on their own at the right time, preventing the permanent teeth from erupting.
This is more common than you think, and the biggest problem is that, since the space that corresponds to it is not free, the permanent tooth cannot fit into the oral cavity and remains"trapped" in the gum , pushing the rest of the teeth and causing displacement and pain; if the problem persists, it is possible that several of the final pieces fall off due to the pressure.
In these cases, the best option is to extract the milk teeth, for which a surgical intervention is usually necessary.
Tartar
tartar is not only a dental problem in itself, but it is also the main culprit of most of the diseases that can affect your dog's mouth. In the oral cavity there are bacteria responsible for everything being in order, but unfortunately they are not alone there. As your dog eats, drinks and bites what he finds in his path, he introduces new bacteria and microorganisms, which will form bacterial plaque
Plaque is deposited on the gums and between the teeth, where it slowly changes into pesky tartar. There the tartar begins to infect the root of the tooth, causing inflammation, pain, injuries and undermining of the tooth, which in an initial stage generates gingivitis, and if it is not is treated will transform into periodontitis.
It is possible to avoid the aggravation of the effects of tartar with deep cleanings carried out by a veterinarian, for which the use of anesthesia. Sometimes it is even advisable to extract the most affected teeth.
Some dogs are more prone to tartar than others, so be careful if yours meets any of the following:
- Dog over 5 years old
- Brachycephalic breed dog
- Dwarf breed dog
Gingivitis
This is the first consequence of tartar, so to speak. It is characterized by bad breath, bleeding gums, inflammation and pain. It is very common in dogs, especially those that do not receive any type of dental care.
Treatment is very simple, starting with removing the plaque and administering the necessary drugs to stop the effects of the infection. However, if not stopped in time, it progresses into periodontitis.
Periodontitis
This is the last phase of the consequences of tartar. At this stage, the infection has spread much further, accentuating the symptoms of pain and bleeding gums At this point, not only the gum but also the root itself of the tooth is damaged, so their loss is imminent.
The greatest risk of this type of infection is not the loss of the teeth, but vital organs such as the heart can be affected by the problem.
Oral lesions
Although it is not a disease, it is a common problem in dogs. Dogs are very curious and nibble whatever they find in their path, especially in the puppy stage, so it is common for the mouth to suffer the consequences of this exploration in a negative way.
In this sense, injuries caused by objects that cut the gums, or that have become embedded in them, are common. That is why it is so important to pay attention to what objects the dog puts in his mouth, and avoid anything that is sharp or even too hard, such as stones.
How to prevent these diseases?
When it comes to dental problems, prevention is best: you'll save your dog a lot of pain this way. To do this, we give you the following recommendations:
- Consider adding a brushing routine to your dog's teeth. There are many commercial brands of toothpaste specially formulated for dogs, with delicious flavors and that also do not need to be rinsed after use. Never use human toothpaste.
- Incorporates dry food manufactured to maintain the he alth of your dog's teeth, various brands of feed take this into account.
- Provides toys and teethers designed to clean gums, Well, while the dog is having fun, the object takes care of removing the plaque.
- Avoid giving your dog human treats or any food that could easily get stuck in his teeth.
- Periodically check the dog's mouth for inflammation, bad breath and embedded objects.
- If you have any symptoms of discomfort, go to the vetimmediately. Once a year ask the specialist to check all the teeth.
