Taking care of our dogs’ oral health is part of keeping them healthy. Unfortunately, dogs often have dental disease or rotten teeth because many pet owners don’t check on their dogs’ teeth regularly. Additionally, some dog breeds are more prone to dental problems than others. Do you feel discomfort as you observe your dog suffering from dental problems? Don’t worry; In this post, Canvas Personalized will talk about the symptoms of dog teeth rotting, their causes, and what to do if your dog has them.
What Do Rotten Teeth in Dogs Look Like?
Just like tooth pain in humans, dog dental disease is excruciating. Pet owners may also discover their pets have foul breath, loose teeth, or perhaps no teeth. The following are more indicators to watch out for:
- Cavities: Gaps in your dog’s teeth may occasionally indicate dental decay or cavities. On the tooth’s surface, they may look like sizable, dark holes or dark patches.
- Gingivitis: Red and swollen gums indicate inflammation around the teeth. If the gums are inflamed, plaque will frequently be found near the tooth’s root.
- Periodontitis: If your dog has bleeding gums, it may be a symptom that its teeth are decaying.
- Tartar is a buildup of hardened dental plaque, also known as dental calculus. Its color might range from yellow to orange to brown. In most cases, it shows up on the backs of teeth or at the gum line.
- Teeth Discoloration: The development of plaque and tartar is evident by a yellow or brown discoloration along the gum line of the teeth.
What Causes Rotten Dog Teeth Falling Out?
If your dog suffers from tooth decay, you may wonder, “Why are my dog’s teeth rotting?” Dog tooth decay can result in several different conditions. A few examples are:
Lack of Oral and Dental Care
Lack of oral hygiene and care is the most frequent cause. Brushing our dogs’ teeth regularly with vet-recommended dog toothpaste helps prevent dental illness.
Breed
Even daily brushing won’t eliminate the danger. This is because the structure of the mouths and faces of certain dog breeds, like Yorkies and Dachshunds, makes them more susceptible to dental illness. Also susceptible to tooth decay are brachycephalic, overcrowded-muzzle breeds like pugs, Shih Tzus, and French Bulldogs.
Aging
Teeth rotting is more common in senior dogs because of years of neglectful dental care and oral hygiene, not because of aging itself.
Signs Your Old Dog Might Have Rotten Teeth
If there is a problem with your dog’s teeth, there are telltale symptoms you may look out for:
- Red, gushing gums
- Pieces of food that got wedged between your teeth
- Bad breath that smells like fish or rot
- Tooth decay
- hard, yellowish deposits of tartar
- Chipped teeth
- Red as blood gums
- Gum enlargement
- Bruised and bleeding gums
- Cheek or eye socket swelling due to a serious dental infection
Even if you don’t see anything out of the ordinary, there are additional indicators that your dog may be experiencing dental problems. Keep an eye out for these issues with your dog:
- Excessive drooling during meals
- Taking a bite and then spitting it out
- Found blood in their meal bowl.
- Drooling blood from teeth
- Only using one side of the mouth for chewing
- Having a meal refusal
- Whining when eating or using chew toys
Your dog needs emergency veterinary care if it shows any of these symptoms, which may mean they are developing or already have periodontal disease.
What to Do If Your Dog Has Rotten Teeth
If you suspect your dog has a rotten tooth, get them in to see the doctor as soon as possible. Before taking your dog in for a dental operation, you may need to take him to an emergency clinic for pain medication and antibiotics if he is uncomfortable.
If you suspect dental disease is the cause of your dog’s refusal to consume dry food, a canned or wet dog food diet should be fed instead until a veterinarian examines your dog. The discomfort and infection will not disappear if they switch to a healthier diet.
How Long Does a Dog Need to Recover After a Teeth Cleaning?
Your dog should start feeling better from the anesthetic within a few hours. However, full recovery may take up to 24–48 hours. You may notice that your dog seems sleepy and less hungry during this period.
Cost of Cleaning Dog Teeth Rotting
The dog has rotten teeth, the cost of removal is anywhere from $300 to $1,000 at a general practitioner veterinarian and as much as $4,000 in a specialized veterinary dental clinic run by a board-certified veterinarian dentist. In addition to the dog’s general health, procedures such as extractions, medications, advanced imaging, and specialist procedures can significantly increase the cost of a routine tooth cleaning.
How to Prevent Dog Tooth Issues
Feeding The Proper Diet
Like the rest of the body, a dog’s teeth need a balanced diet to stay healthy. The stronger the animal’s immune system, the less likely it is to contract an infection. Give your dog only the best dog food. There are dog foods designed to help maintain healthy gums and teeth.
Brushing Regularly
Regular tooth brushing is the best defense against a dog teeth rotting. Dog owners can buy special toothpaste that is safe to swallow, making it simple to brush their pet’s teeth.
Most dogs become used to having their teeth cleaned every day, no matter how challenging it may seem at first. Many canine companions look forward to their regular tooth-brushing sessions, both for the tasty treats and the one-on-one attention they receive from their owners.
Plan Routine Dental Examinations
The elderly animal, in particular, needs to get regular exams. Check your pet’s teeth and gums at least once a month to ensure their overall health. The only way to see what’s going on in your dog’s mouth is to have an x-ray, just like humans do. When x-rays and thoroughly cleaning your dog’s teeth are necessary, your vet may advise you.
Use Water Additive
You should also use a water additive to help clean your dog’s teeth. Owners should consult their veterinarian before changing their dog’s diet or adding anything to their water.
Good Chew Toys
Dogs can prevent rotten teeth with the help of a chew toy. Puppies can avoid gum disease by chewing on something. Plaque buildup in your dog’s mouth can be reduced by providing them with soft, rubbery, thin rawhide or stuffed toys.
Avoid giving your dog tough toys like animal bones and hooves, nylon and hard plastic toys, and tug-of-war toys if he or she already has tooth decay. If they break, your dog’s teeth could become loose and fall out.
Healthy Snacks for Chewing
Pet dental chew snacks come from a variety of manufacturers. These items are both a tasty reward and an effective means of warding off tooth rot in your dog. Multiple manufacturers of dental chews have conducted thorough studies showing an improvement in oral hygiene and reduced levels of plaque, calculus, and bad breath.
>> Read more: Top 10 Common Corgi Health Problems and How To Prevent Them
Home Remedies for Dog Tooth Decay
Dog tooth decay home cures are effective for mild instances. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice any signs of serious gum disease.
Rinses with chlorhexidine
These have been known to help dogs with gingivitis. You may find this disinfectant at any store that sells pets. Surgeons sometimes use it to disinfect their tools. When chlorhexidine comes into contact with the tissues and surfaces of the teeth, it is released into the mouth. Spray a very small amount of the 2% rinse onto the inside of your dog’s cheeks twice daily.
Peroxide with Aloe Vera
Aloe vera and peroxide can do wonders for oral health, but owners should exercise caution. Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic and antibacterial agent that can remove plaque. Aloe vera gel (about the size of your pinky nail) can be combined with 3% hydrogen peroxide and applied to a cotton swab to remove stubborn blemishes. Use the mixture to brush your dog’s teeth.
After your dog has completed eating for the day, you should apply this mixture. If there is a lot of plaque buildup, the owners should do this every week or two.
Stomadhex
Dogs can use the antiseptic stomadhex as a home treatment for dental decay. Apply the patch inside your dog’s upper lip, lasting 10 days for best results.
Chlorhexidine and nicotinamide are released from the patch. After a dental cleaning, your veterinarian may recommend Stomadhex to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and free of plaque, tartar, and foul breath.
>> Further reading:
- Top 40 Helpful Dog Care Tips For A Healthy And Happy Pet
- Cleaning Dog’s Ears At Home: 9 Easy Steps You Need to Know
- How To Trim Dog Nails That Are Overgrown At Home Safely
Dog teeth rotting can have an awful impact on a dog’s overall health and well-being. It is ideal to guard your dog’s teeth as soon as possible. You may prevent your dog’s teeth from developing dental illness by making it a habit to maintain your dog’s dental and oral health through appropriate dental hygiene and care, as well as periodic veterinary examinations and dental cleanings. By following these preventive steps, you can ensure your furry friends live happy, pain-free lives with bright smiles.
