Dental diseases and ailments in dogs

Never look a gift-horse in the mouth- but it´s better to check your dog`s teeth regularly. Tartar, caries and periodontosis can not only affect us, but also your dog. This can lead to severe pain while eating and to a, limited chewing ability. The dog, like its ancestor the wolf, still has a true predator`s bite- this can be seen clearly even in the small chihuahua: between four dominant canines, are the small and insignificant incisors. Further back in the dogs mouth are the cheek teeth, which are narrow in shape and typical for predators. They do not have a large masticatory surface as in herbivores. The saliva of the dog also has special features- unlike herbivores and humans, it does not contain any enzymes to break down the food. As a result, the dog`s digestion does not begin in the mouth, but in the gastrointestinal tract.

Toothaches, gingivitis and their consequences

Mouth odour due to purulent infections, reduced feed intake, increased smacking and poor feed conversion are often the first obvious symptoms and signs of a toothache and ginivitis. Now is the time to act quickly, since the dog is not only suffering from severe pain, but there is also a risk of permanent damage to its general health due to progressive inflammation in the mouth area! Ingested bacteria, pus and decay products, which arise from tooth/gum inflammation, quickly spread to other organs and infect them, so that a seemingly „harmless toothache“ can quickly manifest itself into a serious illness. A thorough dental check-up at the vet should be on the agenda at least once a year. Tartar, which can also cause gingivitis, can be quickly and easily removed by the vet during a dental cleansing. Teeth with extensive defects and cause damage to the holding apparatus, on the other hand, must be removed under anaesthesia to enable the animal to eat without pain. Also, to prevent or stop deep inflammation of the gums, the root of the tooth and surrounding tissue. Even with only a few teeth, the dog can eat almost normally again after some time, as the gums harden quickly and allow the dog almost normal chewing ability.

Dental care through eating

In addition to the veterinary check-up, regular dental care at home is highly recommended. For natural teeth cleansing, it is recommended to occasionally give your dog hard bones or solid chews- this will naturally scrape off plaque and at the same time promote good blood circulation to the gums. This is ideal for supporting good dental health and helping to prevent gingivitis. Another positive effect is the strengthening of the dog`s chewing muscles. Natural chewing articles are therefore not only a great pastime for your four-legged friend, but also do a lot of good in securing healthy teeth and firm gums.

Contrary to this, dry food is not an adequate support for dental hygiene- even though many advocates believe this to be the case. The reason for this is the eating behavior and anatomy of the dog`s teeth, which, as described, is very different from that of a herbivore. The anatomy of a dog`s bite is designed to take in the food, roughly break the meat up into pieces, and then quickly push them down the oesophagus. Large, grinding teeth such as those of the herbivore to grind the food thoroughly are missing. The dog`s gnawing is therefore intended by nature and not just a bad habit. However, this also shows why dry food does not have a cleansing effect on the teeth, as it is only gulped down and the dog only bites the pellets 2-3 times at the most. The resulting crumbs, in combination with the saliva can even settle better into the grooves and pockets of the dog`s molars. This food residue provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria between the teeth, causing caries, periodontal disease and gingivitis to develop more quickly. Of course, it is particularly unfavourable if dry food or treats contain sugar. This is particularly damaging to their health, as it is for us humans as well.

Unhealthy for the dog`s teeth and gums: Sugar

Just like humans, there are four-legged friends who are more or less prone to dental problems due to their innate hardness. Especially dogs with misalligned teeth are particularly predestined for inflammation of the teeth and gums or caries, as they often have many niches in which tartar and bacteria can get stuck. Brushing the dogs teeth has proven to be a good way of preventing dental diseases in animals with sensitive teeth. Regular brushing removes food debris and helps in reducing tartar build-up. For this procedure, only special „ tooth cleansing tools“ from the vet may be used- our dental untensils are not suitable. The tooth brushes we use are usually much too hard for the dog`s sensitive gums and our taste- intensive mint toothpaste varieties are anything but refreshing for the dog`s palate. In addition to good care, the basic prerequisite for healthy dog teeth is providing them with healthful food, which under no circumstances should contain sugar or other sweeteners. Such ingredients can quickly make even the healthiest dog`s teeth crumbly and diseased.

Dental care for dogs

Regular brushing prevents the formation of tartar and plaque. The deposits not only look unattractive and cause bad breath, but also promote the colonisation of bacteria. You need special products for your dog`s dental care- never use toothbrushes and toothpaste that are meant for humans. They are unsuitable for animals and may do more harm than good. Special dog toothbrushes have soft bristles and are ergonomically designed for the dog`s bite. They are available with a handle or as fingerlings, which can simply be attached to the finger. If in doubt, try out what works better for your dog. Dog toothpaste does not contain any ingredients which are harmful to animals, has a taste that suits the animal`s palate and foams less. Clean your dog`s teeth with it two to three times a week.

It is best to get the dog used to the cleaning procedure when it is still a puppy. At first, only massage the gums. Only then, pick up the brush. Start with the molars and work your way up to the incisors. If the dog allows this without any problems, carefully open the mouth cavity and brush the masticatory surfaces and inner sides. Make sure that the dog associates brushing its teeth with a positive experience. Give lots of praise, a treat, or a nice playtime afterwards. This will make the ritual more palatable.

In addition, it will make it easier for the animal to have its teeth checked the next time he goes to the vet. If the dog, even with the best of will, does not tolerate brushing at all, a special dental care gel can help. It is applied to the teeth without brushing and cleans them enzymatically.

Author

Hanna Katrin Stephan has turned her passion for animals into a profession. She graduated from the renowned University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover and, as an expert for dog and cat nutrition, is in charge of product development and responsible as a nutritional advisor at Terra Canis.

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