Dental or oral health is essential to your pet’s overall health. Dogs and cats can also break or fracture teeth or get gum diseases like humans. Sometimes, dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other underlying health problems.
Common dental diseases in pets include:
- Gum diseases (infection or inflammation of gums)
- Developmental Abnormalities (unerupted teeth, enamel defects)
- Injury or Trauma (Broken teeth, Falls)
- Tooth Decay (Cavities)
More than 85% of pets over four years old have periodontal disease.
If you suspect dental disease in your pet, look out for these signs and symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Broken or loose teeth
- Red or bleeding gums
- Blood on a chew toy
- Teeth that are discoloured or covered in tartar
- Abnormal chewing or drooling,
- Blood in saliva
- Difficulty picking up food
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Pain and lumps in or around the mouth
- Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
Note: Always be careful when examining your pet’s mouth because a painful animal may bite.
Causes and risk factors of pet dental problems
- Age: Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in pets above three years old.
- Poor dental hygiene: Regularly not cleaning your pets’ teeth may lead to a buildup of plaque around the teeth that eventually leads to tooth decay and other problems.
- Chewing habits of pets: Chewing on objects that are too hard such as ice cubes, bones, or hard nylon chews, may lead to fractures in your pet’s teeth. Any chew toy or dental treat fed to your pet should bend and “give” upon compression.
- Genetic factors: Your pet’s genes may be the underlying cause of certain dental conditions such as cleft palate, abnormal growth of excessive gum tissue, etc.
- Falls and Trauma: Accidents may lead to conditions such as broken or chipped teeth, jaw fractures, misalignment of teeth, and a bite on your pet.
- Cancers: Oral tumours and cysts can lead to dental pain and other associated conditions.
Your pet’s veterinarian can identify the dental problem in your pet by carefully examining their teeth or using simple diagnostic techniques such as X-rays to look for any fractures in the jaw or teeth.
Most of the time, the treatment can be as simple as cleaning the tooth to remove the plaque and prescribing certain medications such as antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection. Sometimes, your pet may require root canal therapy or extraction of the tooth if the pulp of the tooth is exposed.
Different conditions have different treatment approaches. Talk to your veterinarian about the best treatment for your pet’s dental problem.
Preventive Measures to Maintain Good Oral Health in Your Pets
Annual oral examinations: A complete oral exam and X-rays by a veterinarian are required to check for any early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Daily tooth brushing: Cleaning your dog’s teeth daily is a great way to prevent or slow the progression of oral diseases.
Daily chew time: Give your pets safe toys (hard rubber toys that can bend) to chew daily. Vets recommend staying away from all hard treats and toys.
Good-quality pet food: Talk to your vet to understand what “dental diet” suits your pet’s needs. Some foods with additives help keep plaque from hardening, and certain dried foods can help scrub your dog’s teeth as they chew.
Talk with your veterinarian if you notice any dental or oral issues in your pets and regarding any recommendations for dental products, treats, or dental-specific diets.
