Age-Related Dental Issues in Dogs: Taking Care of Senior Canine Teeth
You may have yet to consider or concern yourself with Dental Issues in Dogs. However, as dog’s age, their teeth and gums require additional care and medical support, just like their human family members. Some dog strains are more prone to dental health problems than others, and certain medical conditions that a dog develops early in life can have a negative impact on their teeth as they age. The good news is that you can enhance your senior dog’s quality of life by caring for their teeth and gums and making minor dietary adjustments.
Understanding the Dental Health of Your Dog
Oral hygiene is just as important for your dog as for you. To keep their teeth healthy for the long term, dogs require regular hygiene, regular checkups, and a nutritious diet. In the absence of appropriate dental care, canines develop plaque, which hardens into tartar and subsequently causes Dental Issues in Dogs. In this inflammatory infection, microbes target the tissues that help the teeth, including the gums, ligaments, and bone. This can be agonising, result in tooth loss, and hinder your pet’s ability to consume. If left untreated, the infection’s bacteria can eventually infiltrate your dog’s bloodstream and cause life-threatening complications in his vital organs.
Does your pet suffer from periodontal disease?
Many canines live their entire lifetimes without ever experiencing a dental issue, whereas others require consistent dental care. As with humans, plaque and tartar buildup on a dog’s teeth can result in cavities, periodontal disease, and other medical complications.
There are numerous symptoms of Dental Issues in Dogs that a trained veterinarian can identify for you. Symptoms include poor odour, bleeding or distended gums, decreased appetite, weight loss, only gnawing on one side of the mouth, dropping food frequently while consuming, and a yellowish coating on the teeth.
Do Dogs Get Cavities?
Cavities are present in dogs, but they are significantly less prevalent in canines than in humans. Plaque and tartar are two of the greatest threats to a dog’s dental health, as they cause periodontal disease and its hazardous complications.
Canine Gum Disease Symptoms
- Poor respiration
- Bleeding gums
- Red, swollen gums
- The yellowish-brown coating near the gingival line on the teeth
- Using only one side of the mandible to chew
- Food falling out of the mouth during dining
- Reduced appetite
- Modest weight loss
- Excessive canines and lip licking
- Clutching at the gums
- Face-down on the earth
- Drooling
- When the dog’s cranium is stroked, it snaps and growls.
- Disinterest in flavoured chewing devices
Even though all canines can develop oral health issues, certain small dog species are more susceptible. Maltese, Pugs, Dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Toy Poodles are among the most susceptible breeds to periodontal disease. These tiny canines are predisposed to periodontal disease due to their genetics, the tendency to gnaw less frequently, and their small mandible with overcrowded teeth.
When your dog has poor breath, there is likely an issue with his teeth or gums. He may have an infection of the gums or teeth. Do not mask it with dog breath mints. Take him to the physician.
The majority of dogs with mouth discomfort have difficulty chewing. They may only gnaw on one side, lose food while chewing, or refuse to consume.
When canines are in distress, they have a way of letting you know. If your dog’s muzzle hurts, he may lick or paw at his face.
Additionally, he may become despondent and lethargic.
Plaque on the teeth transforms into tartar, as it does in humans when it accumulates. Daily grooming can only do so much to prevent tartar. Eventually, cleaning will be required to eliminate it. Tartar is harmful because it compromises the health of the gums, which in turn weakens the teeth. In the absence of treatment, excessive tartar can lead to periodontal disease, which inflames the tooth’s inner supporting structures. The consequence is tooth loss.
How to treat geriatric dog tooth problems
So, what can you do to support your Dental Issues in Dogs, reduce oral distress, and prevent serious dental disease? Here are some pointers:
Ideally, your dog’s teeth have been professionally cleaned regularly since he was a puppy. If your senior dog has never received proper dental care, it’s never too late to start. At least once a year, take your dog to the veterinarian for a comprehensive inspection, which will include a dental exam. Follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding when to polish your dog’s teeth. (If your senior dog’s health issues make anaesthesia too dangerous, your veterinarian may recommend a non-anesthetic dental cleaning.)
Everyday Brushing: It may be difficult to find the time to brush your dog’s teeth every day, but the more often you do so, the healthier your gums will be. Plaque makes up on his teeth and beneath his gums, just as it does in humans, and can guide to periodontal illness and tooth loss. Daily brushing helps remove plaque, thereby reducing the strain on the gums.
Provide nutritious chews: While giving your dog bones and other firm gnaw objects may be alluring, the reality is that canines can break their teeth on such items.
How you can improve your dog’s oral health
If your dog has periodontal disease or Dental Issues in Dogs issue, your veterinarian will be able to prescribe medications or perform a procedure to remedy the situation. Nevertheless, regardless of your dog’s age, you can take a number of measures at home to improve its dental health.
Although it may initially seem odd, scrubbing your dog’s teeth regularly will help them manage their plaque and tartar levels. Many canines dislike brushing their teeth, but if you can transform it into a routine and reward them afterwards, you will likely be able to change their views.
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