Can you imagine what your teeth would look like if you never brushed them? Not pretty that’s for sure! So, what about your dogs’ teeth? Like us, dogs need routine dental care.
How common is dental disease in dogs?
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 75% of dogs over the age of four have dental disease. In fact, dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions we see in dogs. This should come as no surprise. Most people do not brush their dog’s teeth, and we all know that our dogs are not brushing their own teeth.
Why does this matter?
Dental disease doesn’t just lead to bad doggy breath, it can lead to tooth loss, painful tooth root abscesses, difficulty eating, and other serious health problems.
So how does dental disease occur in dogs?
The combination of food, saliva, and bacteria leads to plaque formation. If not removed by brushing, it mineralizes and becomes tartar. Tartar accumulation promotes bacterial infections below the gumline, which results in gum recession and destruction of the tooth’s support structures. Unless treated, pain and tooth loss can occur and bacteria can enter the blood stream and spread to distant organs, like the kidney, liver and heart.
Are certain animals at risk for dental disease?
Dental disease can occur at any age, but it is more common in older dogs and certain dog breeds. Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and toy breeds appear to have a genetic predisposition for dental disease and often develop dental issues earlier than other breeds.
How do you know if your dog has dental disease?
Make sure your dog is seeing their veterinarian at least once a year. If they are older than 7 years they should have routine check-ups twice a year. During these check-ups your veterinarian will do an oral exam and be able to detect if your dog has any dental disease. In between these visits you should ideally be checking your dog’s mouth regularly as well. Flip your dog’s lip and take a close look at your dog’s gums. Are they red and swollen? Next look at their teeth. Are they clean and white or do you see brown discoloration, thick tartar on the teeth? Do you see any broken teeth? Do they have bad breath? Do you see any drooling or have you noticed them having trouble eating? If you notice any of these things (swollen gums, broken teeth, tarter buildup) it means that your dog has dental disease and should see their veterinarian as soon as possible for a full oral examination.
What are the most common signs your dog has dental disease?
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Decreased appetite
- Swollen red gums
- Discolored teeth
How is dental disease diagnosed?
Dental disease in dogs is diagnosed by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform a thorough examination of your dog’s mouth and may recommend dental x-rays to determine if your dog has a tooth root abscess, retained tooth root, or a diseased tooth that needs to be extracted.
How is dental disease in dogs treated?
If your dog already has dental disease a complete dental cleaning by your veterinarian is necessary. This involves an evaluation of the oral cavity and cleaning not only the surface of the teeth, but underneath the gumline where the majority of bacteria and tartar are found. After the teeth are cleaned, they are polished to smooth the roughened surfaces that were created by the cleaning. Next, an antibacterial solution is flushed below the gumline to remove any debris that collected after the scaling and polishing. Lastly the entire mouth is checked again, and dental x-rays will likely be used to assess the extent of the dental disease and the need for any tooth extractions or additional work. Even though most people can tolerate and sit through a thorough dental cleaning, dogs can’t. The only way to perform a complete dental cleaning in dogs is by using general anesthesia.
What about non-anesthetic dentals?
For many dog parents, the thought of placing their beloved dogs under general anesthesia is scarier than the actual cleaning. So, what about a non-anesthetic dental cleaning? It is important to know that it is currently illegal for anyone other than a veterinarian or a supervised and trained veterinary technician to perform a dental cleaning. Even when done by a trained professional, there are risks with non-anesthetic dentals. Animals with dental disease often have painful mouths. Without anesthesia, an animal may experience pain and move during the cleaning. This can be dangerous since many of the instruments used are quite sharp and can hurt the animal if it jerks during the procedure. However, the biggest issue with non-anesthetic dental cleanings is that the cleanings are superficial and do not address the tartar under the gumline where the majority of dental disease resides. For these reasons, both the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) and the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) do not recommend non-anesthetic dental cleanings.
What should be done before a cleaning?
So how can you make the anesthetic dental safer? Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and chest x-rays are used to screen for underlying medical issues. Although anesthesia can never be risk free, the use of modern gas anesthetics such as sevoflurane and isoflurane, sophisticated monitoring equipment, as well as intravenous catheters and IV fluids have greatly improved the safety of general anesthesia. Your veterinarian will need to look at your dog’s individual risks versus the benefits of dental care and advise you appropriately.
How can you prevent dental disease?
The best way to prevent dental disease is to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Ideally you want to start brushing your dog’s teeth when they are young so that they become used to the routine. Young dogs also have clean healthy teeth and will get used to brushing if you start when they are young, just like nail trims. Dogs should have their teeth brushed daily or at the very least a few times a week. It is important to use a dog-safe toothpaste and not toothpaste intended for people. Dog-safe toothpaste does not bubble or foam and does not require your dog to rinse their mouth out afterwards. And they come in exciting flavors like chicken, beef, seafood and peanut butter. Yum, right?
How do you brush your dog’s teeth?
Brushing is easier than you might think. I recommend you start by using your fingers. Put dog toothpaste on them, let your dog lick it off and then gently hold your dog’s mouth closed (to prevent them from accidentally pinching your finger) and slowly and gently use your finger to rub the outside of their teeth in a circular motion. Try doing this for a few days to get them used to it, then try using a finger brush or dog toothbrush. Remember reward your dogs afterwards by letting them lick the remaining paste off the toothbrush or give them a dental chew as a reward.
How often do I brush and how long?
Ideally you should brush your dog’s teeth once a day. I try to brush my dogs’ teeth every night after I brush my teeth. If you just cannot manage daily brushing, try to brush their teeth a few times a week or at the very least weekly. Remember the more you brush your dog’s teeth, the less likely they will develop dental disease.
Can I start brushing if my dog has dental disease?
NO! If your dog already has significant dental disease, brushing is not recommended. Brushing your dog’s teeth may cause your dog pain. Swollen red gums are inflamed will be tender and are likely to bleed if brushed. The best thing to do for a dog with dental disease is to have a dental cleaning by a veterinarian to remove the tarter and bacteria. Once the teeth are clean and the gums are healthy, your veterinarian will recommend you start brushing.
What if your dog won’t let you brush?
Although nothing beats regular brushing, oral wipes, dental diets and dental treats can help reduce the bacteria and plaque that lead to tartar formation. Nowadays you can find all kinds and flavors of dental chews. These chews usually have ridges and textured grooves that help keep your dog’s teeth clean and reduce plaque and tarter. In addition, they often contain ingredients that reduce bacteria. Most importantly to your dogs, they are a delicious treat. My dog loves getting a dental chew and I love that he is getting dog treat that’s good for his teeth.
No matter what you choose, be consistent and see your veterinarian regularly for check-ups. Remember, dogs should have their teeth checked at least once a year and if you notice your dog has bad breath, trouble eating, has excessive drooling or red inflamed gums call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment sooner. If your dog already has dental disease a complete dental cleaning is necessary. Remember early diagnosis and treatment are the best defense against serious dental disease.
