How does dental health impact the overall health of my dog?
Dental health has a huge impact on your dog's overall health. One thing I like to explain is that a dog's mouth is how they interact with the world—it's not just for chewing. They play, grab things, and even engage in tug-of-war. When dental health is affected, it impacts every aspect of the dog's well-being, including behavior and organ function. Also, remember that anything they swallow is exposed to the rest of their body, so inflammation and bacteria in the mouth can affect the organs over time.
Dr. Patrick Ryan
Williams Veterinary Wellness
How can I care for my dog's teeth at home?
There are several things you can do to care for your dog's teeth at home. First, make sure your dog is actually chewing their hard food. When dogs don’t chew properly, they tend to develop a lot of tartar. Brushing is another important step—not only does it help behaviorally by training them to accept it, but it’s also the best way to get under the gum line and promote healthy gum-tooth interaction, which also helps keep their breath fresh.
Chewing implements can also be useful, but these should be chosen based on the dog’s personality and whether there's competition for them, as not every dog can handle certain types. Rawhides and other items that scrape the teeth are helpful, but I caution against bones and antlers, as they can lead to broken teeth. Lastly, dental cleanings are one of the best ways to maintain your dog's oral health, as they allow us to clean under the gum line, remove tartar, and ensure every crevice is taken care of.
What are some signs and symptoms of dental disease in dogs?
The most common sign my clients notice is halitosis, or bad breath, which usually indicates some level of dental disease. If you look closer, you'll often see calculus, also known as tartar, which is calcified plaque. Plaque is a biofilm made up of microorganism colonies, and it's definitely something we don’t want on teeth for an extended period of time.
What are some of the common dental diseases in dogs?
Some common dental diseases include gingivitis and calculus, which is a huge factor in the development of dental disease. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum line that makes the gums recede from the tooth, weakening the attachment between the two. This separation creates openings for infections and allows foreign material to get into the spaces around the tooth, leading to further damage, pain, and infections. In addition, we sometimes see tumors, gum proliferation (common in certain breeds), tooth root abscesses, and fractures.
Why is early detection and diagnosis of dental disease so important?
This is exactly why dental health is so important to me. Too often, people don’t pay attention to their dog's teeth until it becomes a serious issue later in life. If we address this early, not only can we work together to keep their teeth healthy, but we can also teach the dog to chew properly and accept brushing. The earlier we can prevent bacteria and inflammation from being swallowed and entering the body, the better, because we don't want our pets' major organs to suffer. Dental disease can certainly lead to heart, kidney, and liver disease—all organs that are highly impacted by what’s being swallowed.
How often should my dog's teeth be checked?
You should check your dog's teeth as often as possible, even weekly. I usually teach people how to do this, as it's also important for training. A professional should examine your dog's teeth at least every 6 to 12 months, and as they get older, more frequent checkups are necessary.
What is a professional dental cleaning like for a dog?
A professional dental cleaning for dogs is very different from what we’re used to with people. Since we can’t ask a dog to say "ah" or spit into a cup, we have to use full anesthesia, which is the only safe way to perform the procedure. The airway must be controlled to prevent anything from entering it, so we keep the dog deeply under anesthesia. We also administer pain medications or nerve blocks as needed and monitor the dog very carefully throughout the process.
We start with a thorough exam and probing, then remove all the tartar. Dental X-rays are taken to view the parts of the tooth we can’t see from the outside, especially the roots. Since dogs can’t tell us if a tooth hurts, we have to examine every root closely to ensure the tooth is healthy beneath the bone, not just where we can see it. Based on this information, we decide whether a tooth needs to be removed or if other treatments can save it. Essentially, we treat each tooth as its own individual patient.
If you have any questions about your dog's dental health or notice any issues, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll start with an exam, and I’ll walk you through everything, offering different ways to keep your dog’s mouth healthy and ensure a long, healthy life.
More Information on Dog Dental Care from Dr. Ryan
Dr. Patrick Ryan
Williams Veterinary Wellness
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
Good question. Ideally, you'd want to brush your dog's teeth every day, but realistically, brushing them about three times a week is reasonable. Doing this consistently can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup, which are the main culprits behind most dental problems.
Are there any tips for making brushing a dog's teeth easier?
Yes, this is something I take very seriously because you don’t want to wait until dental problems arise to start caring for your dog’s teeth. You should begin as soon as you get that little puppy. It’s all about training—training, training, training. Naturally, dogs don’t like their mouths touched, especially around the lips, which is why many will avoid our hands when we get close. So, the first and most important step is desensitization training. You need to take baby steps toward your goal of full mouth brushing. Don’t expect to achieve that right away. Start small, rewarding acceptance, and gradually push a little further each time.
One key thing I’ve learned is not to focus on trying to see what you're doing. If you lift the lip and try to visualize where you're brushing, most dogs will resist. Even if you manage to desensitize them enough for that, they’ll still likely dislike it. Instead, I find the most practical approach is to gently hold the muzzle, allowing them to open and close slightly, and brush the outside of the teeth under the lips without looking directly. The most important areas are on the outside of the dental arcade, and while getting the insides would be great, it’s not something I expect from my clients. Most dental disease actually starts from the outside. So, by brushing blindly and focusing on the gum line in each quadrant, you can effectively help maintain their dental health.
What products should I use to brush my dog's teeth?
Good question. A regular toothbrush works fine, but many people find finger brushes easier, especially during the training period. It’s also important to use an animal toothpaste, not a human one, especially since human toothpaste often contains fluoride, which we don’t want dogs to swallow. Since they’ll likely swallow the toothpaste, you’ll want something designed for that, preferably with enzymes to help break down the biofilm in their mouths. Also, dogs usually don’t tolerate human toothpaste, particularly mint flavors. Our most popular animal toothpaste flavor is chicken, which may sound gross to us, but dogs tend to like it and it can even serve as a treat during training.
Do I still need to brush my dog's teeth if I give them greenies?
Yes, Greenies can help, but only if the dog chews slowly and thoroughly. Dogs often have preferences—they might only chew on one side or eat it too quickly. That’s why brushing is much more effective than chewing implements in most cases. Brushing, especially along the gum line, is the best way to ensure thorough cleaning, and the gum line is the most important area to focus on for dental health.
Can dogs get cavities?
Dogs can get cavities, but it's not nearly as common as it is in humans. They tend to have different dental issues. More often, it's a progression of tartar buildup leading to gingivitis, which causes the gums to separate from the tooth. They can also fracture teeth, but cavities are relatively uncommon compared to these other issues.
Are there chew toys that can also work to brush my dog's teeth?
Yes. Before dogs lived with us, they maintained good dental health by chewing on things they hunted or scavenged. That natural scraping action helped keep their teeth clean, and we try to replicate that now with dental aids. The key is finding something that forces them to chew. One of my favorite options is dental health food, which you can feed as a complete diet or add as a supplement to their regular diet. These foods are typically large and hard, which encourages dogs to use their back teeth to chew. If you pay attention, you'll notice that many dogs don’t actually chew their kibble—they just gulp it down silently, which doesn’t help their teeth. That’s why I like dental foods, as they promote chewing and can significantly improve dental health.
I also don’t mind rawhides, despite the mixed information online. If you buy good-quality rawhides, preferably from the Western Hemisphere, most dogs handle them well. I like rawhides because they start hard and soften over time, making them digestible. However, I recommend avoiding the large, knotted ones slathered with additives. Instead, opt for simple, weight-appropriate options, and consider your dog’s personality. If your dog tends to gulp things down in seconds, rawhides may not be helpful and could lead to choking or digestive issues. But for dogs that take their time, rawhides can be very beneficial.
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