Dental Pain in Dogs: Everything You Need to Know
Detecting oral pain in our pets might be challenging. This is because pets are skilled at covering up any external indications of distress. Our doctors benefit from speaking with us when we are in pain, but our pets can not communicate. As a result, we should be able to identify little cues to figure out when our pets are experiencing tooth pain and take proactive measures to reduce the suffering.
Causes
Many conditions could cause dental discomfort in dogs. Gingivitis, periodontitis, damaged teeth, lacerations, jaw fractures, and oral cavity cancer are among the severe conditions that our pets can face. The most prevalent reason for dental pain in our dogs is gingivitis, which can lead to periodontitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis are not treatable diseases; they’re ongoing conditions that need constant attention.
It has been claimed that by the age of two, more than 80% of dogs have clinical indications of periodontal disease. Imagine if we stopped brushing our teeth and going to the dentist. What would the sensation be in our mouths? Proactive measures such as regular brushing and visits to the dentist can keep these health problems suppressed. Click this link to learn more about the prevalent causes of oral pain in pets.
Signs
When dogs experience pain, they may show it in various methods. Some instances are as follows:
- Drooling
- Whimpering
- Halitosis (foul breath)
- Behavior change or protective behavior
- Resisting head pets
- Loss of appetite, eating slowly or dropping food
- Swollen gums
If you notice any of these symptoms and need medical assistance for your pet’s oral pain, search online for “dog dentist near me” to see the closest veterinary dentist in your area.
Treatment
To prevent oral pain in our dogs, we must be proactive. Some dental disease or tooth pain indications can only be seen during a veterinarian’s oral examination. Swollen or red gums indicate inflammation and infection of the oral cavity. Plaque or calculus buildup reflects the progression of numerous mouth illnesses.
Dogs with severe periodontitis or sore teeth may sneeze or have a nasal discharge because the bacteria has eroded from the oral cavity into the nasal passage. Our objective as pet owners and veterinarians should be to avoid oral illness from occurring. A preventative solution will ensure our pet’s dental health and reduce mouth pain caused by frequent oral problems.
Daily oral home care, a proper diet plan, suitable chew toys, and routine comprehensive oral health assessments and treatments (COHATs) by your veterinary dentist are all part of a proactive course of action for our pet’s oral health. Under anesthesia, a COHAT with ultrasonic scaling of the teeth above and below the gum line and polishing the teeth is strongly suggested one to two times yearly.
Oral illnesses may respond better to treatment if found early. Our pets will be happier and healthier when they receive oral treatment beforehand. Veterinarians these days also offer laser treatment for dogs since it is painless and safe for oral pain.
In the End
Examining oral pain in dogs is complex and usually overlooked. Even if the indicators are not noticeable, we should know how to identify them. A proactive plan that involves frequent home assessments and annual or biannual veterinary dentist examinations can help detect problems before they become problematic. It helps us bond with our pets by looking after their oral health and providing the best life possible.
