When was the last time your dog had a dental check-up?
Just like us, pets need their teeth cared for too!
Here’s all you need to know about caring for your dog’s teeth, symptoms to look out for and our top tips to keep your dog smiling.
If you want us to help you even more, head to our CVS website.
What is dental disease?
Dental disease covers any form of illness or infection based in your dog’s mouth, gums and teeth. Did you know the most commonly diagnosed disease in dogs in the UK is gum disease?
Other types of dental disease seen in dogs include:
• Damaged teeth
• Jaw fractures (can be related to infection around the
teeth)
• Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)
• Tumours impacting the teeth and gums
• Tooth root abscesses
• Retained baby teeth
• Developmental problems (such as unerupted teeth)
• Misaligned bite (known as malocclusions)
• Tooth resorption (when parts of the tooth break down and get reabsorbed by the body)
How likely is it that my dog will get dental disease?
Over 70% of dogs will get some form of dental disease once they get past 3 years old.
And, as your dog ages, the chances of them developing some form of dental disease also increases.
There are other risk factors will impact your dog’s chances of developing dental disease too. These include age, lack of regular dental care or chewing hard objects like stones and antlers that can damage your dog’s teeth.
Breed is also a factor, with King Charles Spaniels, Greyhounds and Toy Poodles having a higher risk of developing dental disease, and smaller dogs overall being more likely to have teeth and gum problems.
What are the common symptoms to look out for?
While dental disease can be unavoidable, knowing the symptoms means you can help the disease to be caught earlier, leading to more effective treatment.
If you see any of these symptoms in your dog, book your dog in for a check-up:
• Bad breath
• Eating less than normal
• Eating more slowly than normal
• Drooling more than normal
• Inability or unwillingness to open the mouth
• Dropping food out of their mouth or around the bowl
• Sudden swelling of the face, especially around the cheek
• Non-healing wounds on the skin surrounding the muzzle
• Redness of the gums
• Bleeding seen in the mouth, or blood present on toys or bedding
• Pawing at the face
However, please note some dogs will show no symptoms at all, regardless of being in pain. This means that regular check-ups at your vets are essential to catch anything you miss.
How can I help my dog’s smile stay healthy?
There are plenty of things you can do to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.
• Brush your dog’s teeth: Just like with us, regular brushing is the best way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy. While this might your pet a bit of getting used to, training and encouragement can make this important activity a stress-free experience for you both.
• Rinses and gels: There are varying rinses and gels available that can help reduce the bacteria in your dog’s mouth. Check out Animed, our accredited veterinary medicines retailer, for some great product suggestions, or ask your vet for their recommendations.
• Diet: Typically, dogs fed dry biscuit have less tartar build up on their teeth than those that eat wet food. This is due to the crunching of the biscuits causing teeth to graze against one another, reducing plaque build-up.
• Dental chews and toys: Chews and dental toys help reduce plaque and tartar build up on your dog’s teeth.
Looking for a new vet practice?
We can help!
With over 370 branches across the UK, CVS Vets are here to help you keep your dog’s tail wagging, wherever you live.
Our services include:
• Routine health checks
• Vaccinations
• Parasite control
• Nurse clinics
• Dentistry
• Neutering
• Surgery
• Emergency care
• Free access to specialist telemedical advice, helping your
pet receive medical advice remotely
• Healthy Pet Club and Healthy Pet Club advanced membership: the simple way to manage your pet’s healthcare
Find your nearest vet practice today to book your pet’s dental check up.
