Our dogs naturally present bacteria in their mouths, located on the tongue, dental surface, oral mucosa and saliva. The problem comes when these bacteria feed on the remains of food that the dog leaves on or between his teeth, as they produce acids that dissolve the protective barrier of the teeth called enamel. When this enamel weakens, bacteria can form plaque and invade more and more of the tooth surface.
In the worst cases, when cavities are not detected or treated early, they can invade deeper structures of the tooth such as the dental pulp and even pass into the bloodstream, reaching organs such as the heart or the kidney. Dogs affected by caries are asymptomatic at first, but later begin to present discomfort such as pain when chewing, refusal of food or harder foods, bad breath, swollen gums or mouth bleeding.
The best way to avoid cavities in dogs is prevention through proper oral hygiene, routine cleanings and veterinary inspections. Continue reading this article on our site to learn more about caries in dogs, causes, symptoms and treatment
Cavities in dogs
Cavities is a pathology that can affect our dogs' teeth. It consists of degradation and demineralization of tooth enamelIt occurs because the bacteria present in the mouth release different types of acids to degrade the carbohydrates that remain in the dog's mouth after each meal. These acids also have the ability to demineralize the enamel, dissolving the calcium s alts in the tooth.
This enamel is the layer that protects the teeth against external aggressions. When it is altered, disappears or weakens, it allows exposure to germs present in the mouth, which can proliferate and damage deeper structures, such as dentin and dental pulp, causing from small injuries to the complete destruction of the affected tooth. In dogs, caries are most often located in the central fossa of the maxillary first molar, as well as in the areas between adjacent teeth.
Causes of tooth decay in dogs
Caries in dogs has a multifactorial origin, that is, there are several factors that can trigger it. These are:
- Presence of oral bacteria.
- Inadequate dental hygiene or poor.
- Hereditary predisposition, it is more common in small breeds and brachycephalic dogs.
- Old age.
- Improper diet.
- Saliva pH.
Cavity symptoms in dogs
To know if your dog has cavities, all you have to do is check his mouth, although, even without having to visualize it directly, you can detect other clinical signs that should make you suspect the presence of this dental pathology. The problem is that, on many occasions, when caries is discovered, it is already very advanced, several teeth are affected and secondary infections or even more serious complications have developed. That is why it is important that you regularly check your dog's mouth and go to the vet if you detect one or more of these signs:
- Anorexy.
- Mouth pain.
- Tartar.
- Bad breath or halitosis.
- Receding gums.
- Hypersalivation.
- Bleeding.
- Inflammation of the gums or gingivitis.
- Difficulty biting or chewing.
- Rejection of chew toys.
- Low activity.
- Fever, when there are secondary infections.
How to detect caries in dogs?
As we have pointed out, caries is often discovered when it is already very advanced. Detecting cavities in dogs can be difficult in the early stages, as they will not show symptoms and, unless their mouths are checked by their veterinarian during a general examination, they often go unnoticed by carers. For this reason, it is very important that regular veterinary check-ups are scheduled and a thorough inspection of the mouth In addition, at home you have to pay attention to whether the dog shows some of the clinical signs that we have mentioned.
During a dental inspection you can find small areas of demineralization, dark brown if they are old, in which case they are tougher. Recent or active cavities will be light brown in color and the enamel and dentin will be softened. Particular attention should be paid to the maxillary first molar, the space between the maxillary first molar and the maxillary fourth premolar, and the mandibular first molar because these are the areas most often affected by caries. To determine the degree of damage to the internal structures of the teeth, it will be necessary imaging techniques such as radiography.
How to remove cavities in dogs
If an X-ray shows that the pulp of the tooth is affected, the only treatment is extraction of the tooth, although it is also you may consider performing a root canal or rebuilding tooth, if possible. The drawback of these operations is that they require general anesthesia and many of the dogs with caries are elderly and have concurrent pathologies, which implies a higher anesthetic risk.
On the other hand, when the decay has not affected deep structures and is limited to the enamel, it is possible to make a filling to search for reconstruction and the remineralization of the affected tooth without having to extract it. In any case, it should always be assessed by a veterinarian, who will take into account the history, the physical condition of your dog and the risks.
How to prevent cavities in dogs
It is important to prevent caries in dogs, not only because it can cause the annoying and painful signs that we have explained, but also because it can be a source of infections capable of triggering serious pathologies if the Bacteria pass into the bloodstream, spreading to organs such as the kidneys or the heart. The best preventive measures for cavities in dogs are:
- Brushing teeth Frequent with dog brush and toothpaste.
- Dry diet that favors the elimination of food remains between and on the teeth, which are what stimulate the formation of plaque bacterial.
- Dental checkups and routine checkups at the veterinary center.
- Use of specific products, such as snacks, bones or objects for oral hygiene.
- Professional dental cleaning at the veterinary clinic.
