80 percent of all dogs over the age of three have dental problems. In this interview, veterinarian Dr. Simone Radicke reveals how you can avoid them and what perfect dental care looks like.
how a dog's teeth are structured
the causes and symptoms of dental diseases
how dental problems can be treated
what dental care for dogs can look like
animonda: How are a dog's teeth structured?
Dr. vet med. Simone Radicke:Dog puppies are initially born toothless. At 3 to 4 weeks of age, the incisors erupt first, followed by the canines (between the 3rd and 5th week) and the front molars (between the 4th and 12th week of life).
These milk teeth are replaced between 13 and 21 weeks of age. First the incisors (3rd - 5th month of life) and then the canines (5th - 7th month of life) are replaced. In the 4th/5th month of life, the first front molar, which has no milk tooth precursor, breaks through, as do the other molars (front molars: 4th - 6th month, rear molars: 6th - 7th month). This change of teeth usually takes place earlier in large dog breeds than in smaller dog breeds. In general, puppies have changed all their teeth by the age of 7 months.
The adult dog's dentition then consists of 42 teeth:
animonda: What are the functions of a dog's teeth?
Dr. vet med. Simone Radicke: Dogs are carnivores that had to hunt their own food in earlier times. For this purpose, the prey was caught with the canine teeth (hence the name "canine teeth") and held. The canines are quite long and curved backwards for this function. The food is broken up by the "fangs". These are the dog's largest molars, the rearmost premolar in the upper jaw and the foremost molar in the lower jaw. Overall, the premolars are very sharp-edged and help the dog to cut meat. The rear molars are used to grind hard food and bones.
The front incisors have various functions. On the one hand, dogs can gnaw meat from bones with their sharp edges. On the other hand, they are used for grooming by nipping at the fur with these teeth to remove fleas or ticks.
animonda: What are the most common dental diseases in dogs?
Dr. vet med. Simone Radicke: In contrast to humans, who often suffer from caries, dental diseases in dogs primarily affect the gums and the periodontium (= periodontal diseases). In detail, these are
The cause of these periodontal diseases is the formation of plaque. This is the build-up of food debris between the teeth, which then provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria to colonize. As a result of these plaques, the tooth surface is no longer smooth but becomes rough. If calcareous salts (= tartar) are formed from the minerals contained in the saliva, they can easily adhere to the rough surface.
These hard, brown-grey deposits are found particularly at the junction of the tooth and the gums. As a result, bacteria can penetrate into the area between the tooth and gums and lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums ). If this process continues to progress, deep, purulent infected pockets form. If these inflammatory processes spread to the periodontium, this is periodontitis. At this stage, loose teeth or even tooth loss can occur.
animonda: What consequences can dental diseases have?
Dr. vet med. Simone Radicke: Teeth are surrounded by gums and suspended in the jawbone by flexible fibers. If the gums recede due to tartar and gingivitis or if the periodontium is damaged by an infection (periodontitis), the teeth may fall out.
But that's not all. It is not just the oral cavity that becomes diseased, but the whole dog. There is an interaction between oral health and the general health of the dog. The bacteria can spread to the bone and slowly break it down. This can lead to jaw fractures. If the bacteria from the oral cavity enter the bloodstream and thus the entire body, foci of inflammation develop that trigger many general diseases.
It has been scientifically proven that the bacteria attach themselves to the inner walls of the coronary arteries and lead to heart disease. Depending on where the bacteria colonize, this can lead to joint or kidney diseases. Respiratory diseases are also mentioned if the bacteria enter the respiratory tract. Mediators formed by bacteria can trigger allergies and ear infections. The bacteria also affect the function of the pancreas. This can make it difficult for a dog with diabetes to regulate its blood sugar levels.
animonda: What signs indicate dental problems?
Excessive salivation, rubbing the muzzle against objects, scratching the mouth with the paws or repeated head shaking can indicate dental problems. A tilted head with one-sided chewing can also indicate dental problems.
An unmistakable sign is also a penetrating and persistent mouth odor, which should definitely be the reason for a detailed examination of the oral cavity.
animonda: Is it normal for a dog to smell from its mouth?
Dr. vet. med. Simone Radicke: If the dog has just eaten food with a strong odor , such as rumen or horse apples in the riding stable, then it is completely normal for it to smell something unpleasant from its mouth. If this problem persists for a long time , the cause should be investigated critically. It is not uncommon for gingivitis or periodontitis to be the cause of the unpleasant odor. An examination by a vet is always worthwhile, as kidney disease can also cause the dog to smell from its mouth.
animonda: How is gum inflammation treated in dogs?
Dr. vet med. Simone Radicke: If the gums are only slightly swollen and slightly discolored, sprinkling with anti-inflammatory agents is sometimes sufficient. At an advanced stage, the vet will also prescribe antibiotics. If tartar is the cause of gingivitis, professional teeth cleaning is required. This involves the complete removal of plaque and tartar under anesthetic. This removes the breeding ground for the bacteria and the inflammation of the gums is therefore easier to treat.
animonda: How is tartar removed from dogs?
Dr. vet med. Simone Radicke: The type of measure depends on the severity of the tartar. If only the canine teeth are affected and very coarse tartar has adhered, tartar removal forceps are suitable for blasting off the tartar. Finer tartar deposits are then removed from the tooth and the spaces between the teeth using a dental cleaner (scaler). Not every dog can tolerate this without problems, which is why a light anesthetic is often required.
During ultrasonic treatment, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the tooth via a small chisel. The tartar is broken up and rinsed away with water. Any pockets in the gums are also cleaned with a special rinsing solution. Finally, the tooth surface is polished to prevent plaque from adhering again after a short time.
animonda: What does dental care look like for dogs?
Dr. vet. med. Simone Radicke: Regular check-ups and preventative care measures can prevent tartar from forming. This includes regular tooth brushing, which you should get your young dog used to. At least once a year, you should have your dog's teeth thoroughly checked by a vet. Further measures may then be necessary.
Various gels and sprays are available on the market to prevent the formation of tartar. Certain ingredients in the food or in dental care stickschange the pH value of the saliva in such a way that the plaque is dissolved or does not form in the first place. Finally, chewing bones also contribute to dental care. Gnawing on dry cowhide or pig ears cleans the teeth mechanically. However, you should not give too much of these products as they are very high in energy and may lead to obesity.
animonda: Is it possible to remove tartar yourself?
Dr. vet. med. Simone Radicke: If the dog is very calm and is used to you taking action in its mouth and on its teeth, you can try to remove the tartar yourself with appropriate scrapers (scalers).
However, it is best not to let it get that far in the first place. As soon as you notice the first plaque, you should take action and remove it immediately. This can be done as follows:
If you are not familiar with these measures or your dog is too restless, it is better to consult a vet. The vet should be contacted in any case if the tartar has already penetrated below the gum line.
animonda: What influence does diet have on dental problems?
Dr. vet. med. Simone Radicke: It used to be assumed that moist food carries a higher risk of tartar formation. This was explained by the fact that the teeth are only used to a moderate extent when the food is ingested and the teeth are not cleaned mechanically on the soft food. Today we know that other factors also have an influence on the formation of tartar. These include, for example, the spaces between the teeth, the pH value in the saliva and the influence of feeding on intestinal health and the avoidance of pathogenic bacteria.
animonda: Which chewables help with dental plaque?
Dr. vet. med. Simone Radicke: Plaque forms on the teeth just a few hours after eating, which, in combination with the salts in the dog's saliva, turns into tartar. To prevent this, plaque must be removed regularly. To do this, the teeth must be brushed or the dog can be given chews with a dental care effect .
These can be bones, beef or pig ears, wooden bones made from extra-hard coffee root, bullwhips or dried lung. There are also plastic chew bones that are filled with treats so that the dog chews on them for as long as possible. Many of these chews have an unbalanced nutrient composition and are very high in energy, so that the main food must be reduced to prevent obesity.