Well, it’s Dog Dental Health Awareness Month for our furry friends, and we chatted with the good folks at Bond Vet to get the lowdown on keeping our dogs’ teeth and gums in check. Stay tuned to learn how you can spot any dental problems in your pup and some handy tips I’ll share in this post!
The most common signs of a dental problem include bad breath and calculus buildup on the teeth, and sometimes gingivitis, characterized by red, inflamed, or infected gums.
Signs & Symptoms of dog’s oral health
So, what are the usual signs that your dog might have dental issues?
Common signs of dental issues include bad breath, plaque accumulation on the teeth, and gingivitis; when the gums are red, inflamed, or infected. But dental problems can look so many different ways based on the dog and what’s really wrong with those teeth. Just watch for any of those signs, or anything else that seems a little bit odd to you.
What else should I look for in my dog for potential problems?
Some signs may include halitosis; yellow or brown, or having the appearance of being coated with calculus; red, inflamed, or bleeding gums; drooling over and above normal amounts; changes in appetite or feeding; preference to chew on one side; picking food up and dropping it; pawing at the mouth; aversion to having the mouth touched or open; painful mouth; or swelling or discharge in the muzzle area of the head. Broken teeth should also be checked.
Dude, my dog’s breath smells really horrible. Is that because of some dental problems?
Yeah, that’s one for sure, and that happens a lot. But you see, bad breath can come from a whole bunch of things such as what your pet may be chewing on, tummy upsets, something getting stuck in their mouth, or in extreme cases, kidney failure or poisoning. The smartest play is to check in with a vet. If your pet seems otherwise healthy, it is not urgent. However, if you should really get your pet into a veterinarian soon. If your pet is really ill, in pain, losing weight, can’t eat, or has another sign of potential problem (or you suspect that they may have ingested something toxic, for example), then rush them into a veterinarian.
When should you think about your dog’s dental health?
This all depends on the breed and the dog itself about how soon a dental problem is going to show its face. Your vet is going to give you a plan tailored to your dog. Paying regular visits to the vet for recommended check-ups at 6-12 months, more often for older dogs or dogs with medical issues, is going to be smart.
I have a rescue dog and don’t know anything about their dental background.
How would you go about evaluating if they need some dental care?
Firstly, take your dog to the vet for a check-up. It makes sense to look over your entire dog, not only their teeth. Since you know little to nothing about your new rescue dog’s past, you might have other health concerns that need to be investigated. Your vet can point out what is needed or perhaps even give you the all-clear so you don’t have to worry.
Is it ever too late to start dog-teeth cleaning?
Older animals are pretty prone to dental issues. And if your pet has serious dental problems or periodontal disease, which is more serious than just the condition affecting the matter that keeps the teeth in their mouth, they may not like you trying to brush their teeth. It’s a good idea to check with the vet before you do this. They may need to have it cleaned by a vet, but after that, it usually goes okay to begin this new, healthy routine.