From changing teeth to tartar to tooth fractures, dogs can have a wide variety of dental problems.
At birth, puppies do not yet have any teeth. The first milk teeth break through after three to four weeks. After the eighth week of life, the milk teeth are usually complete. The permanent teeth then begin to appear at three and a half months. This transition between milk teeth and permanent teeth is called the change of teeth and lasts a good two months.
During this time, puppies eat a little less and are generally more susceptible to illness. They can bleed easily from the mouth and smell unpleasant. Although most dogs do not have any significant problems during the change of teeth, you should still check their teeth more frequently during this time.
Teeth cleaning for dogs
It may sound surprising, but from a veterinary point of view, dogs' teeth should also be cleaned regularly. At the very least, this could have a positive effect on dental health in animals that are prone to heavy tartar build-up. Unfortunately, only a few dogs put up with having their teeth brushed. As an owner, you are therefore well advised to make an early attempt to get your pet used to it.
In addition to brushing or directly applying toothpaste with a fabric-wrapped finger, giving dry food and chew toys can also help to clean teeth. Simply try out what works best for your pet.
Tartar in dogs
Healthy teeth need to be cared for - even in our dogs. With a few simple measures, you can prevent gum irritation, bad breath and tooth loss: Tartar is caused by plaque on the surface of the teeth. Bacteria adhering there form a gel-like layer. Minerals from the saliva are deposited in this layer. This results in hard yellowish deposits, particularly on the outside of the molars. The consequences are irritation and inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa, bad breath, loosening and loss of teeth and reluctance to eat.
To prevent this, it is important to regularly remove the bacteria and their gel layer from the teeth, similar to humans. It is best to get your pet used to having its teeth brushed from an early age. To do this, use special toothpaste for animals or gruel. You can also wrap your index finger with some gauze or cloth and rub the teeth clean with it.
If the problem is already advanced and thick plaque has formed, the vet should remove it. The tooth surfaces will then be nice and smooth and regular care will help to keep them free of new tartar build-up. The occasional feeding of solid food or chewing bones is also helpful for prevention.
In smaller dog breeds in particular, milk teeth occasionally remain next to the protruding real canine teeth. If they cannot be loosened with a finger every day, your vet should help, as hair and food residues often get stuck in the narrow space between them and endanger the canine tooth.
Tooth fracture in dogs
Teeth can sometimes be damaged, especially in service and working dogs. When colliding with hard objects, part of the tooth breaks off , leaving sharp edges and, in the worst case, an open root cavity. While the fracture burrs can be easily defused by grinding, an open root cavity usually means that the vet has to insert a filling into the tooth.
However, if the fracture line extends to the root, the tooth must be extracted. In any case, a tooth fracture should be treated by a vet as soon as possible, otherwise an inflammation with severe pain will develop. The teeth of young dogs should not be subjected to too much stress until the teeth and enamel have hardened at the age of 2 years.