Dog with rotten teeth is a condition that cannot be ignored. The animal owner should seek a veterinary doctor as soon as possible to better understand the problem and perform the treatment correctly.
Just like humans, dogs also need to take care of their teeth. It is important to always remove leftover food from the animal’s mouth after each meal, so as not to accumulate dirt and, consequently, bacteria. Proper brushing involves using dog-appropriate toothpaste and a brush.
In this article, we’ll talk about the symptoms of a dog with rotten teeth, in addition to addressing the causes, treatments and prevention tips. Follow!
Dog with rotten tooth – What is the cause?
Research shows that 75% of dogs aged between four and eight years have some type of periodontal disease. For this reason, it is important to start taking care of their teeth from a young age.
The dog with rotten teeth is usually the victim of a disease gingivitis periodontitis .
Few people know, but dogs are five times more likely to develop gum problems than humans. This is because pets don’t usually brush their teeth daily. Periodontal diseases manifest frequently among dogs also because the mouth is alkaline, therefore, favorable for the formation of plaques.
Plaques, which form in the canine mouth, result from a buildup of food debris, oral bacteria, saliva, and oral bacteria. When there is no daily brushing, plaques become larger and bacteria multiply at an accelerated pace.
When the dog’s cells cannot fight the bacteria, the tissue in the mouth begins to become inflamed and gradually destroyed. As the condition worsens, the dog may even suffer from the destruction of its bones and lose teeth.
The consequences of periodontitis gingivitis can go far beyond tooth loss. Gum inflammation is responsible for triggering an infection, capable of reaching other parts of the animal’s body. The dog with periodontal or gum disease may be the victim of kidney or heart failure.
Signs that your dog has rotten teeth
Periodontal disease causes pain in dogs, but not always the owner can identify the signs. To diagnose the problem, it is necessary to observe the symptoms. Are they:
- Red and bleeding gums;
- Swelling and lumps in the mouth;
- Loose teeth;
- Gum recession;
- Painful reaction when eating or drinking water;
- Viscous and bloody saliva;
- frequent sneezing;
- Dog with rotten smell in the mouth;
- Teeth completely covered by a yellowish plaque
- Blackened, broken or loose teeth
Treatment
So what to do when your dog has rotten teeth. Read on.
Early diagnosis
When the tooth affected by plaque still has a solution, the veterinarian performs dental scaling and polishing. In some cases, to save the tooth, the specialist can perform bone grafting. These procedures, however, are only possible in the case of a periodontal disease diagnosed early on.
Late diagnosis
In case the dog has rotten teeth in the mouth, a dental cleaning is not enough. The veterinarian will have to perform surgery to extract the compromised teeth.
Tooth extraction is the most recommended treatment for advanced cases of periodontal disease. Before performing the surgery, the veterinarian subjects the dog to intraoral radiographs.
Look for a specialist in veterinary dentistry and ask him to evaluate your dog. The average price of tooth extraction surgery is R$800.00.
Dog care after tooth extraction
After the vet pulls out the rotten teeth, your puppy will need special care. Check out some recommendations:
- After the animal is discharged, go straight to the house. Do not encourage physical activity and hide hard toys .
- Feed the dog the same diet he is used to. Offer the pet water.
- Watch your dog for complications such as bleeding, swelling, or behavioral changes.
- Rinse the dog’s mouth twice a day using a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution.
- Seven days after tooth extraction, return to the veterinarian. Only the specialist is able to assess whether the healing of the mouth is occurring correctly.
The dog with a rotten tooth suffers from advanced periodontal disease, so it’s important not to take too long to seek treatment. Delay can cause mouth bacteria to spread to the heart, liver, kidneys and even joints. This greatly shortens the pet’s lifespan.
How to prevent rotten teeth in dogs?
Correct brushing
As soon as the dog acquires its definitive dentition (this occurs between 7 and 8 months of age), it is necessary to create a toothbrushing routine. As much as the animal hesitates, it is very important for the tutor to insist, until he gets used to the hygiene habit.
The ideal is to brush your pet’s teeth every 3 days, using a specific toothbrush, as well as toothpaste for dogs.
Offer of snacks
Another tip that usually prevents dental problems is to offer snacks that encourage chewing and help maintain the health of the periodontal ligament. Offering bones is also a good idea, as long as the tutor monitors the play.
Do not feed your pet all kinds of food.
Certain foods cannot be offered to pets as they harm health as a whole and affect teeth. Therefore, eliminate sweets, milk and soft foods from your dog’s diet.
Mouth cleaning
Finally, if your dog has a tendency to develop tartar, the best recommendation is to take him to the vet for an oral cleaning at least once every two years. Thus, healthy teeth can be extended longer.
