Dental Disorders

Dental Disorders: Supplement

 

Fractured teeth

Tooth damage may occur when your dog or cat is chewing on solid, non-food items, or as a result of trauma or injury. Fractures can affect individual segments or the entire tooth. Even small cracks that reveal the inner dentin and nerves can be extremely painful and sensitive to touch.  A toothache in dogs most often does not have any visible signs. Sometimes the only visible symptom may be the animal’s depressed behavior.

If the dental crown is damaged, bacteria have an open path to the pulp, where they can cause inflammation that continues to spread to the dental alveolus, or the sockets of the teeth, and surrounding bones. Repairing the fracture is possible but it is important to remember that the repair will leave a weak point that the pet may break again in the future. It is important not to give hard food or toys to dogs with a repaired tooth fracture. In severe cases, extraction may be recommended.

Tooth tartar

Dental tartar buildup is a problem that gradually worsens and affects almost all dogs and cats at some point in their lives. It results in painful gum and periodontal infections and, in the worst cases, loss of teeth and infection in the jawbone.

Dental tartar is a term that is used to describe the yellowish to brown deposits on teeth that cannot be removed by washing or brushing teeth with a brush. The hardened substance is formed by a combination of mineral salts of saliva and plaque. Plaque is a soft accumulation of deposits consisting of saliva, food residues, and bacteria and their products. The amount of dental tartar present depends on several factors, such as the amount of saliva, the size of the gap between the teeth, and the composition of the bacterial microflora within the mouth. Special attention should be paid to dental care in dogs with an innate tendency to tooth problems.

Once tartar has formed on the dog’s teeth, it becomes a hard, stone-like substance that cannot be removed by brushing; it must be removed using instruments similar to those used in humans.

It is common for dogs with dental tartar to suffer from recurrent respiratory problems. Tartar is also a factor of infections of the heart as air from the lungs oxygenates the blood that goes directly to the heart. Ingested bacteria from the tartar can infect the digestive system. Brushing teeth in dogs is undoubtedly the best preventive action for periodontal disease; there are brushes for dogs with different shapes, sizes, and textures. Balanced nutrition is the first step in preventing tartar formation. There are even specifically formulated pet food brands to help prevent tartar buildup in food.  Canned foods, as well as homemade food, are some of the main reasons for tartar formation. If your dog has dental tartar, do not hesitate to take it to the veterinarian to have their teeth cleaned.

Caries

Caries is a tooth disease that is very rare in dogs and even more rare in cats. Caries, which represents the demineralization of the hard tooth substance, is caused by the action of certain bacteria. Immunoglobulins found in saliva prevent the occurrence of caries. In general, health and diet play a role in the development of caries. Animals with poorly mineralized enamel, lower salivary pH, and lack of oral hygiene are all at risk of developing dental caries. Also, the bad habit of giving sweets and treats to dogs is often one of the primary causes of caries.

Early signs of caries are usually very subtle and may not even be shown by your pet. It is often undetected until the deeper layers of the tooth are damaged and the animal begins to refuse food, the tooth fractures, the formation of an abscess occurs at the root of the teeth, and there is unpleasant smelling breath. In a case of surface damage, the tooth is sealed. In a case of deeper and greater damage, it is necessary to treat the root of the teeth (extraction of the nerve, cleaning and filling the root canal). In some cases, the only solution is tooth extraction.

Oronasal fistula

An inborn oronasal fistula represents an unnatural passage between the lips and the nasal cavity, which can include hard palate, soft palate, soft tissue, and the lips. The change usually occurs in the womb and can arise for several reasons. These causes can be hereditary, inadequate diet, hormonal disorders, infections, or exposure to toxins. Animals born with this anomaly generally have problems with breastfeeding and can die right after birth if the owners do not notice the problem in time. In others, entry of milk and saliva into the nasal cavity may occur, so there are often signs of inflammation of the nasal cavity (rhinitis) or other respiratory diseases. The problem is resolved surgically, by closing the existing opening.

Attrition

A dog’s teeth are susceptible to wear due to age. Teeth will change color and become yellow. It is possible to determine the age of a pet by the change in the teeth that occurs over time. In some cases, the teeth are too worn and cause pain to the animal. In that case, extraction of the tooth is indicated.

Tetracycline staining

Tetracycline is a common antibiotic. Tetracycline may leave stains on the teeth after use if the tooth is not fully mineralized yet, typically when the dog is still in the womb or while they are a puppy. During the mineralization process, the drug is incorporated into the tooth and a tetracycline stain is formed. Therefore, tetracyclines cannot be prescribed to pregnant dogs or puppies. When the teeth finish mineralization, the use of tetracycline is completely safe from the aspect of oral health.