Dog Dental Care Advice From Veterinarians
How does dental health impact the overall health of my dog?
Your dog’s dental care is vital to their overall health, with poor dental hygiene leading to serious disease that can cause pain, impact their immune system, and affect vital organs. The mouth has an abundant supply of blood, therefore infection in the mouth can easily enter the bloodstream and affect your dog’s heart, kidneys, liver, and immune system – causing serious health complications. Dental disease can also be painful for your dog, impacting their quality of life. At GeniusVets, we believe that pet care information should come from veterinarians and not the internet, especially with such a serious topic. That’s why we’ve taken dog dentistry FAQs, sent these questions to renowned veterinarians across the U.S., and compiled their replies to get you useful information that you can trust.
While we've sourced all of the dental health information and recommendations below directly from leading veterinarians across the country, please make sure to seek out the advice of your own veterinarian or find a trusted vet near you using the GeniusVets Directory.
How can I care for my dog's teeth at home?
Although every dog is different and you’ll surely learn what works and what doesn’t for your faithful friend, there are some basic things you can do at home to keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
Some of the things you can do to care for your dog’s teeth at home are as follows:
- Daily Teeth Brushing – This is an essential part of your dog’s dental health, with the abrasive action of a toothbrush combined with pet-specific toothpaste helping to keep tartar and plaque build-up at bay. Just keep in mind that human toothpaste is not a substitute for pet-specific toothpaste, as dogs cannot spit—that means ingesting anything other than dog-friendly toothpaste could prove to be toxic for them. You can experiment and find out whether your dog likes chicken, beef, or seafood-flavored toothpaste. It’s important to start the daily teeth-brushing process with your dog at a young age so they get used to it. Consistency is key, as tartar and plaque build-up happens every day and will accumulate quickly without brushing. If you can’t manage daily brushing, most veterinarians will tell you that three days a week is an optimal goal.
- Chews – Chews such as Greenies or OraVet can also help maintain your dog’s dental health. Be sure to look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal on the container, which means the product actually does what it claims. OraVet chews have a brushing action as the dog chews, and also release a plaque repellent that is spread across the teeth with the dog’s own saliva as they chew.
- Mouth Water Additive – This is a passive way of helping to reduce plaque buildup, and is less effective in general since it’s really intended to freshen a dog’s breath.
What are some signs and symptoms of dental disease?
Again, every dog is different so there will be varying signs that something ominous could be occurring in your dog’s mouth. It's essential that you observe your dog for any changes in behavior that could indicate they are in pain.
In general, the signs and symptoms that your dog could have dental disease are as follows:
- Bad breath – This is a red flag for gum disease or an infection in the gum tissue. While dogs are stereotypically associated with having “dog breath,” bad breath in a pet is actually not normal. The infection and resulting inflammation is the cause of the bad breath. The more the dental disease progresses, the worse your dog’s breath will get.
- Food Shifting – As dental disease progresses, it’s common for food to fall out of a dog’s mouth when they try to chew. This is because they’re only chewing on one side of their mouth to avoid the pain felt on the infected side.
- Behavior Change – A dog may hide, become irritable, stop chewing their toys, or want to be left alone when silently suffering from dental disease. They might also avoid their food, or only eat soft food if offered both.
- Black or Brown Tooth – This is a sign of late-stage dental disease. Before a tooth turns brown or black, earlier signs appear such as reddened gums or subtle changes in the tooth color.
What are some of the common dental diseases in dogs?
Gingivitis is the most common dental disease in dogs, which is swollen, inflamed, and painful gums. In some cases, the dog may bleed when they chew on something hard. As Gingivitis progresses, it evolves into periodontal disease, which is a disease underneath the gum line along the root of the tooth, including the bone. At this point, bone loss and abscesses are likely. Because plaque and tartar build up rapidly, it’s estimated that 80 percent of dogs will have some form of dental disease by two years old.
Broken and fractured teeth are also another common oral issue in dogs, which is almost expected considering how much they chew. Identifying broken teeth is important because they can cause pain due to exposed roots, and dogs don’t often show signs of a broken tooth. Cysts under the gum line are also common in English Bulldogs, pugs, and other “squished face” (brachiocephalic) breeds. Their face shape makes them prone to impacted teeth that can lead to these cysts. Sometimes, dogs present with benign tumors or growths in the mouth. However, some very concerning cancers can occur in the mouth that present much like dental disease.
Why is early detection and diagnosis of dental disease so important?
Early detection of dental disease is the key to keeping your dog’s teeth intact. Dental disease often progresses to the point of offering no other option than tooth extraction, but dogs need their teeth for a variety of reasons. Early detection can spare the infected tooth, save you money in more progressive treatments, and prevent your dog from experiencing unnecessary pain. Early detection means it’s easier to fix, and often resolved with a thorough cleaning.
How often should a dog's teeth be checked?
At a minimum, your dog’s teeth should be checked annually. Twice a year is recommended so your veterinarian can determine any changes from the previous visit and discover any broken teeth. Older dogs are more prone to dental disease, so they should be checked more than once a year.
What does a professional dental cleaning involve?
Professional dental cleaning requires anesthesia and is much more involved than when a human visits their dentist twice a year. This is because dogs don’t cooperate as willingly as humans, and a veterinarian specializing in oral health cannot fully assess a dog’s mouth when they’re alert.
A professional dental cleaning involves a full mouth dental x-ray for a thorough diagnosis, examination of each individual tooth, probing for gum health, and a conversation about what treatment – if any – is needed. A thorough cleaning of the teeth, including under the gum line, will be done using an ultrasonic scaler. A breathing tube will be used to protect your dog’s airway.
If you have further questions about your dog’s dental health, reach out to your veterinarian. If you don't have one yet, we can help you find a local veterinarian!