How does the state of my dog's teeth affect their overall health?
Although it's just one small part of the body, dental health can play a large part in managing other diseases. It can affect how readily dogs eat, which in turn can affect their nutrition or their attitudes, and it can even play a role in how we manage some other diseases. We'll expand on some of that in the follow-up questions.
What dental diseases or complications do dogs commonly encounter?
Some of the common things that you may think of right off the top of your head would be loose teeth, damaged teeth, and dirty teeth. Some of the less common things that you may not think of would be periodontal disease, which is just a disease of the tissues that support the teeth, as well as things like masses in the mouth or even foreign material in the mouth.
What causes dental disease in dogs?
Generally, it boils down to bacteria. Bacteria can cause periodontal disease and also lead to plaque. Plaque leads to tartar, and as that disease progresses, we see more and more change in the mouth.
What are the most common signs or symptoms of dental diseases in dogs?
The common things that you will see include stained, dirty teeth. You can see that tartar on the teeth; generally, it's a brown, thick material. Other signs would be unwillingness to eat, reduced appetite, dropping food, acting sensitive around their mouth, any bleeding from the mouth, and increased salivation.
Is there a specialist my dog needs to see to get dental care?
There is a specialist for dogs; they can be referred to an actual veterinary dentist. Oftentimes, general dental care can be completed just with your normal clinic, us included. If there's anything that we are concerned about needing to be referred, we can have that conversation. But, especially if you keep up on things, generally we can keep that in-house.
Do dog teeth fall out?
Dog teeth do fall out both with significant dental disease as they get older, but also puppy teeth. Just like a baby loses their teeth as they get older, puppies lose their teeth, usually within the first 6 months of life or so.
Are certain dog breeds more likely to develop dental problems?
The biggest dog breeds or types of dogs we see with dental issues—any dog can be affected—but the kind of stereotypical ones we think of are going to be small breed dogs, partially because their mouths are smaller, their teeth are all closer together, which again allows for those bacteria to become kind of entrapped in there, and then they lead to plaque, tartar, and periodontal disease.
What should I do if I see plaque or tartar on my dog's teeth?
If you see plaque or tartar on your dog's teeth, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment for them, at which point we can do not just a dental exam but a comprehensive exam and discuss next steps from there.
How can I care for my dog's teeth at home?
There are a lot of different options for the care of teeth at home. Teeth brushing is an option; in an ideal world, that's something that should be done daily. You can use a soft-bristled brush or a toddler brush with pet-safe toothpaste. We don't live in an ideal world, so daily brushing isn't always possible. That's where things like dental chews, dental treats, topical products, and water additives come in. There are lots of other dental products, and again, we can discuss those during an appointment if needed. Those can sometimes make up the difference on days you can't brush the teeth.
How do I know if my dog needs to have its teeth professionally cleaned?
That is something we can determine at your yearly visits and one of the many reasons it's important to keep up with those visits. Usually, it's when tartar really starts to build up on the teeth, especially if we're starting to see gum loss, damaged teeth, or loose teeth.
Does my dog need to undergo anesthesia for a dental cleaning?
Dogs do have to be anesthetized for a dental cleaning because we can't tell them to sit still and say "ah" like we do at the dentist. They are fully anesthetized, at which point they get their teeth fully cleaned, a full dental exam, and potentially dental x-rays as well.
What should I expect for my dog to experience during a dental cleaning or procedure?
Like I said, they will be anesthetized. They will be maintained with monitoring equipment and an anesthesia machine during that time. We monitor them very closely. Usually, we perform blood work beforehand. During the dental procedure, they are fully out of it, so they're not aware of what's going on. We get everything cleaned up, and then they slowly wake up afterwards and go home with any appropriate meds. Hopefully, that's a good rundown. Of course, we can discuss this further at any appointment.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (402) 489-0501, or you can email us at staff@vhvet.com. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram