Did you know, over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease?

This is not purely a cosmetic issue. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gum) is a painful condition, as are tooth fractures and abscesses. Despite the discomfort, few dogs will show obvious signs so it is up to you as the owner, with the help of your vet, to uncover – or better still – prevent it!

What can be possible symptoms of dental disease?

• Red, bleeding or inflamed gums
• Discoloured teeth (brown or yellow)
• Plaque and tartar
• Loose, wobbly or missing teeth
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Pain or difficulty eating – chewing on one side of the mouth, preferring soft food to biscuits
• Weight loss
• Excessive drooling
• A swelling on the face 
• Pawing at/rubbing the mouth/face
• Blood stained saliva
• No signs at all!

How can we prevent dental disease from developing?

Dental disease predominantly occurs due to lack of toothbrushing, but it can also be more common in older dogs due to wear and tear, dogs with a poor diet, and some breeds. Smaller breeds are generally more prone, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles and Poodle crosses, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and brachycephalic dogs.

There are things we can work into our dog’s daily routine to help to stave off dental disease, which we should be introducing from puppyhood. Daily toothbrushing is the best method to achieve good dental hygiene. Just like us, plaque builds up on teeth and this will harden with time if left to form tartare. You can use a finger toothbrush or a regular toothbrush to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean and healthy.

We recommend using an enzymatic toothpaste to help break down plaque, which reduces the time you need to spend brushing your dog’s teeth! Once plaque develops into tartare, unfortunately this can only be removed with a professional scaling machine. 

There are several products on the market that claim to help keep on top of dogs’ dental health. Some dental diets have been formulated to slow plaque and tartar formation and there are also water additives that can help to reduce the bacterial count in the mouth. There is even a special kind of seaweed product that works by being absorbed into a dog’s saliva and dissolving plaque. Speak to your vet for their specific product recommendations!

To prevent tooth fractures, we recommend discouraging your dog from carrying or chewing stones and ensure that all chews can be indented with your finger nail, otherwise they will be hard enough to risk causing a tooth fracture.

Remember…

You must use a toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs, which has been designed to be safe to swallow.

What do I do once tartare is present?

Always consult your veterinarian for advice on next steps if you notice tartare building up on your dog’s teeth. Remember, the quicker we remove this, the more we limit progression of the disease. If tartare is left to sit at the gum margin it can cause complications such as tooth root abscesses, which may necessitate a tooth extraction.

Once tartare has built up, your vet may recommend a general anaesthetic and a dental scale and polish. This procedure involves probing of the gum margin to assess the health of the visible tooth, dental x-rays to assess the health of the root, a thorough scale to remove tartar and a polish to help prevent plaque formation and remove any micro-abrasions on the teeth from the scaling.

My groomer offers a scaling service without the anaesthetic, is this better?

Anaesthetic-free dental procedures are actually considered a higher stress option and carry a higher risk of injury. During a dental scaling procedure, we are using sharp equipment, so it is very important that your pet doesn’t move to avoid causing cuts in the mouth or damaging a tooth. Removal of tartar from the gum margin can be uncomfortable, making this area impossible to clear unless your dog is under anaesthetic. An anaesthetic-free scaling procedure will therefore remove tartar visible to the naked eye, but the benefit will be temporary and purely cosmetic. The tartar that remains beneath the gum margin can still lead to abscessation, among other complications.

If you need help with how to care for your dog’s dental health or product recommendations, your vet will be happy to advise. Remember to start brushing your dog’s teeth as early in their life as possible so they get used to it being part of their daily routine. This will save your dog from dental discomfort and issues, and you from potentially hefty dental bills!