5 Common Dental Problems in Dogs:

An enduring memory from my childhood is the sight of my dad brushing our German Shepherd's teeth. There was poor Kurt, ears drooping, looking very sorry for himself with foam dripping from those gaping jaws. When he was finally let go, he galloped about the backyard, frantically dragging his face along the ground. Apparently, he was not wild about the taste of baking soda! This was back in the 1970's, before there were "tasty" canine toothpastes widely marketed. But, the baking soda brush-ups and the diet recommended by our local vets at the Neffsville Clinic ( www.neffsvillevet.com) did the trick, and he never had any serious problems with his teeth or gums.

Many dental problems in dogs are also common in humans. Chief among these is tartar buildup, that hard stuff that your dentist scrapes off your teeth periodically. If it's not removed, it can irritate the gums, and lead to gingivitis. In dogs, it usually looks like a yellowish-brown area on the teeth, close to the gum line, and has to be removed by a vet. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce this problem is to feed your dog a steady diet of dry dog food and hard biscuit, as well as brushing your dog's teeth. For brushing, you can use baking soda, or one of the many flavored pastes now available at most pet stores.

Tooth decay can also develop, particularly in dogs who eat a lot of canned food, or soft and sticky table scraps. Rule number one: table scraps are really not a good idea, except as an occasional treat. Again, your dog is much better off with a diet of dry food and biscuit. Rawhides are an excellent way to satisfy a dog's urge to gnaw and chew, and will aid in removing food particles and keeping his teeth clean. Rule number two: stick with rawhide or chew toys, as opposed to meat bones, which can splinter and choke your pet, or become lodged in the teeth or throat.

Which brings us to a third common problem; foreign objects lodged in the teeth. Dogs are inclined to mouth, pick up, and chew on all sorts of interesting things. Our dog once got a Popsicle stick jammed in his mouth. Fortunately, it was easily dislodged and removed, mainly because it was relatively large, easily spotted, and not wedged too tightly. Symptoms may include choking, drooling, gagging, difficulty eating, or dropping food while eating. If, upon visual inspection, you can't see anything, you should consult your veterinarian. A small foreign object stuck in the teeth can cause pain, and eventually, swelling and infection. Also, if you can't easily remove it, consult your vet. Please don't introduce tweezers, pliers, or any other such item into your dog's mouth, as broken teeth or tissue damage could result.

Always try to limit your dog's access to trash and small foreign objects, particularly small children's toys. A good way to get your kids to clean up after themselves is to remind them that they are making sure the dog doesn't swallow or choke on these items. Avoid toys not specifically designed for dogs, and be careful with giving him things like an old shoe (the eyelets are perfect for getting wedged between teeth) or meat bones, which can splinter.

Speaking of broken teeth, this is another job for a professional. Whether the tooth is completely knocked out, or just broken off, the safest thing is to consult your vet. Even if the animal doesn't seem to be in distress, an open socket or exposed root can provide an avenue for infection.

For dental problem number five, I consulted Dr. Race Foster, DVM 's article on salivary cysts at www.peteducation.com Salivary cysts stem from swelling of the tissues surrounding the salivary glands around the jaws. Either due to trauma, swelling, or infection, the ducts from the salivary gland becoming obstructed, leading to a seepage of saliva into tissues, resulting in large and painful swellings. Since they seldom go away on their own, see your veterinarian as soon as possible; as Dr. Foster points out, the earlier the problem is addressed, the easier it is for him to determine the exact site of the gland in question, and the best way to remedy the situation.

Of course, common sense dictates that any signs of discomfort, unusual swelling or growths around the mouth or face, or any dramatic changes in chewing or eating habits (excessive drooling, pawing at mouth, really bad breath, difficulty chewing or swallowing) can signal a problem. When in doubt, have it checked out by a professional. Remember, your pet should have regularly scheduled examinations, to keep him healthy and tackle any small problems, before they become major ones. Just as in people, a minor infection left untended can lead to other major health issues.

One more thing; your dog (or cat, or horse for that matter) should be properly socialized, and accustomed to every part of its body being handled and examined. Start as soon as possible, preferably when they are very young; be sure to touch mouth, nose, teeth, gums, ears, tail and feet frequently, so that your pet is comfortable with these sensitive areas being handled. This will make future exams and treatment easier and safer for you and your vet, as well as reducing the fear and stress on your pet.

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