Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? Here’s one suggestion – make a plan to care for your dog’s mouth. It’s easy to do, and your dog’s good health and fresh breath will be the reward. The goal with oral care differs between dogs and people. Dentists for humans try to keep the teeth in our mouths as long as possible. In dogs, we want the mouth free of pain and infection. Extracting a dog’s tooth is an acceptable procedure and can often dramatically improve oral and overall health. Canine oral care should begin in puppyhood. The idea is to recognize tooth issues early, before they have a chance to cause disease. Location A persistent deciduous (baby) tooth is the most common dental problem in puppies. If an adult tooth has erupted through the gum, the deciduous tooth should already be out. If it isn’t, it needs to be removed without delay so the adult tooth will end up in a desirable position. An example is a retained lower canine tooth. If the deciduous tooth is still present when the adult emerges, the adult tooth may be located too far toward the midline where it makes a hole in the palate. The best time to look for persistent teeth in dogs is at five months of age. Malocclusion means that the teeth are not in the standard position. It needs attention if it is causing discomfort or preventing the jaw from moving properly. Small-breed dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds, can suffer from dental crowding with their teeth growing sideways or overlapping. Selective extractions of less-important teeth allow the remaining teeth to spread out, creating a functional mouth. Missing or deformed teeth Teeth are sometimes missing in dogs, most commonly in the lower jaw. In most cases, nothing needs to be done. However, un-erupted teeth (ones that haven’t penetrated the gum tissue) can be a problem. A hidden tooth is prone to developing a dentigerous cyst that can destroy the bone around it, ending in fracture of the jawbone. Pups that have missing teeth at six to eight months of age should have a dental radiograph. Any un-erupted tooth found should be extracted to prevent the formation of a cyst. Deformed teeth are another issue. It may be a tooth with poorly formed enamel. This occurs if a puppy suffers from an infection during the tooth-forming process. These teeth are prone to cavities and rapid tartar buildup. Other teeth may have roots or crowns fused together, creating a situation where an abscess is likely. Some deformed teeth require extraction. Plaque Thankfully, most dogs start out with healthy teeth. Unfortunately, they collect plaque, which then mineralizes to form tartar. This acts as a source for bacteria and can lead to gum infections, but more importantly, secondary infections in the liver and kidneys, and on the heart valves. When veterinarians do blood tests on dogs with “dirty” mouths, they can often spot elevations in enzymes that suggest liver damage. With the pathology that veterinarians see in dogs’ mouths, it’s obvious that preventive care is lacking. The solution is home care – removing plaque daily. The best way to accomplish this is daily brushing. As well, various diets, treats and chew toys can help the process. But, the thing to remember is that home care does not eliminate established disease in the mouth. It is essential to start with a clean, healthy mouth. Care must start in a puppy, or in an adult after the mouth has been professionally cleaned. Hopefully, you can consider teeth care in your 2010 New Year’s resolutions. Begin by having your dog’s mouth evaluated by your veterinarian. Then, start your preventive program. This will maximize oral health and keep the body healthy, but more importantly, prevent your dog from suffering mouth pain. A multi-published writer, Jeff Grognet, D.V.M., runs a veterinary practice in Qualicum Beach, B.C., along with his wife, Louise Janes, D.V.M.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 1st, 2010 at 10:34 am and is filed under Labrador Retriever Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.