Dental issues in pets often start quietly and may go unnoticed during the early stages. Many pet owners don’t realize there’s a problem until more obvious signs appear, such as yellowing of the teeth, bad breath, bleeding gums, or even tooth loss. As these problems progress, they can lead to serious complications, including painful mouth infections, chronic inflammation, and a noticeable decline in your pet’s overall well-being.
Good dental health is essential for your pet’s comfort and quality of life. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the most common dental problems in pets, the symptoms you should watch for, and the treatment options available to keep your furry friend happy, healthy, and pain-free.
Tartar
Dental tartar, also known as calculus, is a hard, yellow or brown buildup that forms on your pet’s teeth when plaque isn’t removed through regular brushing. Plaque is a soft, sticky film made up of food particles, saliva, and bacteria. If it sits on the teeth for too long, it hardens into tartar, which can no longer be brushed off easily. Tartar buildup can irritate the gums, lead to bad breath, and eventually cause more serious dental problems like deforming the tooth, and cause severe gum inflammation (gingivitis) and alveolar periostitis (inflammation of the bone around the tooth).
Symptoms
- Visible Signs on Teeth
- Bad Breath
- Gum Issues
- Pain & Discomfort
- Behavioral Changes
- Excessive Drooling
- Tooth Damage
- Tooth Abscess
Treatment
- Dental Scaling
- Removal of a damaged tooth
- Polishing of teeth to prevent the formation of new deposits
Prevention
- Regular brushing
- Drinking water additives and the use of oral sprays
- Provide a healthy diet
- Special toys and chews
- Specifically designed dental foods
Caries
Caries typically form when food particles and bacteria build up on the teeth, creating plaque. Over time, the acids produced by these bacteria can erode the enamel and dentin, leading to painful holes or decay in the tooth. Signs may include sensitivity while eating, bad breath, dark spots on the teeth, or reluctance to chew. If left untreated, dental caries can lead to infection or tooth loss.
According to location, caries are divided into:
- Cervical: Located near the neck of the tooth, close to the gumline
- Fissure: Affects the natural grooves and pits in the chewing surface of the crown
- Approximal: forms on the lateral side of the teeth, particularly in the contact areas where adjacent teeth touch each other.
Symptoms
- Bad Breath
- Sharp Pain or Sensitivity
- Profuse Salivation
- Selective Appetite
- Swelling or Inflammation
- Difficulty Chewing
- Dark spots or Holes on the Teeth’s Surface
- Loose or Damaged Teeth
Treatment
Prevention
- Daily brushing and use of oral products
- Provide dental chews, multivitamins, and vitamin-mineral complex
- Schedule professional pet dental cleaning service once a year
- Provide a healthy diet and oral health water additives
- Avoid giving excessive treats
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is caused by the loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth. Clinical signs of early periodontitis are associated with destruction of periodontal tissues and may include an increase in the depth of the gingival pocket (up to 5 mm) and gum recession (lowering of the gum).
At the early stage of periodontitis, 0% to 30% of the bone is lost. In dogs with late-stage periodontitis, one or more tooth roots lose more than 75% of bone support. Single-rooted teeth in this case become mobile, whereas multi-rooted teeth can retain stability if at least one of the roots remains attached to the bone.
Symptoms
- Red, Swollen, or Bleeding Gums
- Visible Plaque and Tartar
- Gum Recession
- Loose or Missing Teeth
- Difficulty Eating or Chewing
- Severe Pain or Sensitivity
- Excessive Drooling
- Swelling around the Face or Jaw
- Change in Behaviour
Treatment
The treatment method for all cases of periodontitis is the complete removal of bacterial plaque and calculus from the dental crown, gingival sulcus, and root surfaces. This helps stop the progression of the disease.
Prevention
- Regular brushing of teeth
- Yearly dental cleanings
- Provide dental chews and toys
- Use of dental rinses or water additives
- Feed a balanced diet
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth. The disease can be caused by several factors, including:
- Infections
- Dental Disease
- Trauma or Burns
- Systemic Diseases (like Kidney failure)
- Allergic Reactions
- Accidental Ingestion of Chemicals (toilet or floor cleaners)
- Immune-Mediated Diseases (Feline Chronic Gingivo-Stomatitis in cats)
- Oral Tumours (Squamous Cell Carcinomas)
- In puppies, stomatitis sometimes occurs when their teeth are changing
- The disease can develop at any age of your pet’s life.
Symptoms
- Severely Inflamed Gums
- Bleeding Gums
- Excessive Drooling or Salivation
- Refusal to Eat or Pain while Chewing
- Weight Loss
- Pawing at the Mouth
- Visible Mouth Sores or Ulcers
- Behavioral Changes
- Swelling around the Face or Jaw
Treatment
- Treatment is carried out by a professional veterinarian.
- It depends on the underlying cause and severity.
- Mild to moderate cases are managed with medical management, whereas chronic, severe, and recurring cases are handled with surgical management and immune-modulating therapies.
Prevention
- Regular brushing and use of dental products
- Yearly dental checkups and routine oral inspections
- Provide a healthy, well-balanced diet and dental chews
