Say “Aaah!” – Dealing with Doggy Dentistry

You are lying in bed half-asleep, waiting for the snooze alarm to go off for the fourth time, when your golden retriever, “Booger”, decides that he can’t hold it any longer. He takes matters into his own hands, shoves his wet slimy nose into your face, and “Oh my God! What is that smell?!” No, I’m not talking about the Ol’ Roy afterburn. I’m talking about his breath.

You know, there really isn’t any such thing as doggy breath. Dog breath, like human breath, basically reflects what the dog eats (reMEMBER that if your pup likes to snack in the litter box). However, dental diseases, infections and metabolic problems can change his breath for the worse. And if your pooch has halitosis, the first thing that your vet will check will be his teeth. Dental disease in dogs is associated with a build-up of plaque and tartar along the gumline. Underneath this layer of tarter, bacteria reproduces and infects the gums and causes them to recede, working its way in between the tooth and the bone, eventually making it all the way to the tip of the root and causing tooth loss. The more tartar that builds up, the more bacteria that grows, and the more problems occur.

Dental disease in dogs varies tremendously. Your pet may just have a little tartar or stain on his enamel, or his teeth may be rotting out of his head. Breed and age play a role, as well as diet and prophylaxis. But even with good dental hygiene, your pet is eventually going to need some dental work. I mean, let’s face it: who out there brushes their dog’s teeth with the same frequency and diligence as they do their own? Even if you brush and floss your teeth six times a day, your dentist is going to still want to clean them every six months. Luckily, most dogs fed a quality hard-food diet, with some degree of prophylaxis, such as once or twice-weekly brushing or regular dental treats/toys, are going to need their teeth cleaned about once a year to keep their mouths healthy. As the dental disease progresses, not only is your pup going to have bad breath, but periodontal disease will result in pain, tooth loss, and can even seed your dog’s bloodstream with bacteria, causing systemic problems. Did you know that poor dental health is the second most common cause of heart disease in dogs? (Heartworms are the first.)

So here is the take-home message: monitor your pet’s dental health. If you don’t know what to look for, ask your vet to show you. Must of us have all sorts of brochures and hand-outs for our clients, and even free samples of treats and toothpaste. And most clinics usually have a trained technician that can show you how to care for your pets teeth at home. If your doggy needs a dental, do it! We do the same thing for dogs that your dentist does for you: we do a thorough oral exam, take x-rays, and clean and polish the teeth. The only big difference is that most animals won’t lie on their backs and say “Aaah,” so general anesthesia is a must. And most vets usually don’t do crowns, fillings or root canals (although there are some out there that do). Most bad teeth are extracted, and since dogs have 42 to start with, they usually don’t miss them, but take out enough of them and Fido will be gumming his food like Grampa.

So take good care of your dog’s teeth. You won’t regret it in the morning!