Like humans, dental disease can occur in dogs if their pearly whites aren’t properly taken care of!
WHAT IS DENTAL DISEASE IN DOGS?
One of the most common medical conditions vets see every year is dental disease. Most dogs won’t experience this until they are about 3 years old but over 80% of dogs over the age of three currently have dental disease. Dental disease can be defined as any disease of the mouth relating to the teeth, gums, and bones in and around the mouth. There are many kinds of dental disease but the most common is periodontal disease.
Dental disease occurs when there is a build of bacteria and plaque in the mouth. This can result in infections, inflammation, and overall pain for your dog.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
There are a few tell tale signs for when your dog is suffering with dental issues. One big sign is a lack of interest in hard food or hard treats. Some dogs are picky and don’t like certain foods, but if your dog suddenly loses interest in snacks they once enjoyed, there may be something going on.
Another sign could be your dog often pawing at their mouth as if they are uncomfortable. You’ll know it when you see it. Most dogs will whine while doing this as it is painful to the touch.
One thing veterinarians tell dog parents to look out for is bad breath. This is commonly overlooked as just being “dog breath” but if you can smell your dog’s hot breath from across the room, it’s more than likely that something is going on in there!
In some cases, your dog may not show any symptoms. We recommend becoming familiar with all aspects of your dog. The more you know about them, the faster you’ll recognize when something is off.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
Routine brushing is important for preventing anything from going astray in your dog’s mouth. Most recommend daily tooth brushing, but a lot of dogs won’t tolerate this! The younger you start the easier it will be moving forward. This isn’t a reality for a lot of people, so try to get in there as much as you can! It helps to tire your dog out before trying to brush their teeth so they have less energy to fight you.
There are some treats and chews on the market made to help “clean” dogs teeth but most of them don’t work like they should! Here is a list of approved products that are shown to reduce plaque/tartar from the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
If your pet is in pain from recent oral surgery, or suffering from oral pain related to dental disease, CBD is a great option for relieving pain and reducing inflammation. There is no proof or studies done on CBD reducing the plaque itself but it is a great method to reduce any pain associated with dental disease.
With proper care, you can prevent dental disease and other ailments your dog might face!
