Dogs have a total of 44 teeth (22 on the top and 22 on the bottom) in their mouth. They are 8 upper and 6 lower incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars and 4 upper and 6 lower molars. They are specially designed to suit the carnivorous diet.

What kind of dental diseases are seen in dogs?

Improper dog dental care may lead to several dental diseases which include-

Plaque: Oral bacteria and food debris get accumulated and form a thick layer of yellow plaque on the teeth. Plaque must be removed from day to day to prevent severe dental diseases. Regular home dental care is sufficient to treat plaque.

Tartar: When plaque is not removed within 4 to 5 days, it combines with the salivary minerals to form calculus or tartar. Tartar sticks firmly to the teeth and affects the gum tissue. It may further lead to severe gum diseases like periodontal diseases and gingivitis.

Periodontal Disease: This is caused when the bacteria and food debris enter the gum line. As a result, the gums get infected. This disease can be recognized from the symptoms such as inflamed gums, swelling, bleeding gums or bad breath. Antibiotics, dental cleaning and extraction for advanced cases are the treatments recommended for this disease. Bacteria may sometimes enter the blood stream and infect heart, liver and kidneys.

Gingivitis: This is caused due to severe tartar or calculus formation on the teeth. Tartar results in the receding of the gum tissue. As a result, the infection further spreads to the root canal. Infection may also spread to pharynx (causing pharyngitis), liver, kidney and heart.

How should I take care of my dog’s oral health?

Certain measures can help your dog in preventing the dental diseases.

Daily home oral care: Like humans, regular brushing exercises are equally important for dogs. Try brushing your dog’s teeth at least once a day. This prevents the plaque formation which generally leads to severe dental diseases. You can also try the specially designed tooth brushes for pets which are available in the market.

Annual dental check ups: Dental diseases can be prevented by taking your dog to a veterinarian regularly. The regular dental check ups and the preventive measures suggested by your veterinarian will help in the maintenance of the oral health of your pet.

What dental procedures are available for dogs?

Several advanced dental procedures are available for dog dental care.

Oral Examinations: These examinations are performed to diagnose dental problems like plaque and tartar build-up, gingivitis, periodontal disease and fractured or abscessed teeth. They will check for symptoms such as asymmetry, swellings and discharges. Tongue, palates, oral mucosa, tonsils and ventral tongue areas will be thoroughly examined to detect any changes.

Dental radiographs (x-rays): These are done to detect any damages in the teeth of your dog.

Veterinary dental cleaning: Brushing exercises performed at home are not effective enough to remove tartar. A veterinary dental cleaning or prophylaxis is necessary for tartar removal. This is removed by scrapping the infected tooth using a vibrating probe of an ultrasonic instrument. This procedure does not cause any damage to the tooth enamel.

Tooth polishing: This is performed after the cleaning procedures with the help of a special tooth polish.

Tooth extractions: If your dog’s tooth is severely damaged and is beyond repair then that particular tooth is to be extracted. A general anesthesia is given during this procedure.

Advanced periodontal treatments: These treatments are given during the severe periodontal diseased conditions. Preoperative Examinations or Tests are generally performed before this treatment. These tests help in the diagnosis of other ailments in the body.

Removal of plague using mechanical toys: Plaque Attacker dental toys, rope toys and rawhide chips are some of the dog toys which help in the removal of the plague. These are used when the dogs are not comfortable with the brush and often make up for a good dog dental care.