Dental Health for Dogs
~ by Vet. Fernando Riera S.
Both animals and humans may suffer from oral/dental diseases, such as cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, oral masses, and halitosis (bad breath), among others.
Taking care of the oral cavity is very important to prevent plaque buildup; plaque is yellow, hard, and contains bacteria. In a mineralized extract, this bacteria mass reacts with the gums, which swell and cause gingivitis. Periodontitis is a more advanced condition in which the gums recede and the tooth roots are exposed, leading to bone resorption, pain, bleeding, and tooth loss.
Bad breath in pets has several causes; it’s necessary to rule out infected teeth, foreign objects stuck between the teeth (pieces of wood or bone), abscesses, plaque, etc.
To keep the oral cavity healthy, the animal must be taken to the vet, who will recommend a professional cleaning if there are traces of germs. Once they appear, they cannot be removed by brushing, and a procedure involving anesthesia or a sedative (depending on the patient) will be performed using special Cavitron® equipment.
To avoid plaque formation, brush the dog’s teeth twice a week using dog toothbrushes and paste, since toothpaste for humans may cause the dog to experience diarrhea or vomiting.
Dogs that are fed dry food are less prone to developing plaque in comparison to dogs that eat wet food (canned or homemade). Pets that chew bones or similar objects have healthier mouths. Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas, French Poodles, and Yorkshires tend to accumulate more dander.
