DOG MOUTH AND TOOTH PROBLEMS

Dogs do not need their teeth to catch their food any more so they are prone to gum disease. Bad breath is the first sign, as food particles are trapped between the teeth which provides the bacteria, which infects the gums. Small dogs are more likely to have tooth problems because their teeth are packed closer together. Gum disease that goes untreated leads to tooth decay. Bone crunching can cause chipped teeth which can lead to infection.

A good diet for your dog is essential and there are many internet sites that will give you free dog food samples.
 
Bad breath (Halitosis)

Inflamed and sensitive gums are fairly common in dogs particularly small breeds. Gum infection (gingivitis) is caused by tartar build up when food particles are caught between the teeth and gums. Tumours can grow on the gums and appear as lumps. Boxers and bull terriers have an inherited gum problem because the gum grows up to cover the teeth, and if this is left untreated it can cause gum infection.

Treatment

If your dog has bad breath or signs of tooth decay you should ask your vet for advice. Daily brushing of your dog's teeth will help prevent tartar and gingivitis, but if tartar has already formed, your dog's teeth can be scaled and polished by the vet. There are some mouth tumours that are malignant and must be surgically removed, and proliferating gums can be surgically removed if they are very enlarged, but otherwise they are treated with antibiotics.

 
 
  Drooling

Salivary cysts can form under the dog's tongue, looking like large blisters but they can also appear under the neck skin at the corner of the jaw. Periodontal disease loosens the teeth because it destroys the cement that holds the teeth in place. Tongue wounds can be caused by dog fights or by the dog accidentally biting his own tongue.

Treatment

The salivary gland can be drained and the salivary gland removed. Periodontal disease is bad news because once the teeth are loose they must be removed. If you are worried about your dog's tongue bite then you should consult your vet. If your dog finds it painful to eat, you should feed him soft bits of chopped up food until he is better.

Reluctance to chew

If your dog has a reluctance to chew food it is likely that he has toothache. Large cavities can be seen but root abscesses are more difficult to see. If an upper molar is damaged it can sometimes affect the tear glands drainage and you will see tears running down your dogs face. The distemper virus can cause teeth to erupt, severely eroded and stained.

Treatment

Mostly your vet will remove the tooth that is causing pain but normal tooth decay can be treated with fillings, while abscesses and tooth fractures can be treated with root canal work. Teeth damaged by the distemper virus is permanent and the severely decayed teeth have to be taken out.

If you are looking for dog mouth and tooth problems, the following links may also be of interest to you: See also: puppy house training, puppy discipline, canine cognitive disorder, dog muscle, joint and bone problems, dog skin and coat problems, dog parasite problems, dog eye problems, dog ear problems, dog respiratory problems, dog digestive problems and dog internal parasite problems.

 

Misaligned bite (malocclusion)

Both sets of teeth should meet perfectly when the dog closes his mouth but sometimes the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw causing an undershot bite. This is normal in breeds such as Pekingese and Bulldog because of their pushed in faces but is a deformity in other breeds. If the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw the bite is overshot and this is a defect in any breed but more common in long nosed breeds such as the Doberman.

Treatment

If the misaligned bite is uncomfortable for the dog your vet will be able to help. The overshot bite is most likely to cause problems, because if the dog has a narrow overshot jaw, the lower teeth can press against the hard top palate when the dog closes his mouth. The vet will fit a type of brace over the upper teeth and palate to encourage the lower teeth to move into a better position so that the dog can close his mouth without any pain. This usually takes 2-3 months.

Abnormalities

Some puppies are born with hairlips or cleft palates. If they have a cleft palate they are not able to suckle properly. Sometimes this palate can be damaged at the centre join and this causes puppies to sneeze when they drink. Retained milk teeth problems occurs in small breeds, and when the adult teeth are through, the dog will have eight canines instead of four.

Treatment

Hairlips do not require surgical treatments but cleft palates do, surgical repair is the only remedy. Milk teeth usually drop out when the adult teeth grow but if they haven't, the vet will remove the milk teeth to make room for the new adult ones.

 

 
 
Try searching on the Internet for "dog mouth and tooth problems" and you will be amazed just how many pages are on offer. Try it for yourself by hitting the search button below!