Dental Care
Owners that practice good dental care with their dog will reap many benefits in the long run.
Typical problems
The most common cause of bad breath is excessive calculus and plaque deposits on
the teeth. Bacteria live and feed in the plaque and produce gum and bone infection,
pain, and bad breath.
Calculus is a crusty collection of food particles, minerals, and bacteria that forms at the teeth-gum borders.
Plaque formation eventually leads to gum disease, mouth odors, receding gums and bone destruction and infection. The rate at which plaque forms in your dog's mouth is mainly due to genetic predisposition, but can be slowed by daily oral hygiene using antiplaque liquid or gel and/or pastes and regular professional cleaning and polishing.
Pyorrhea (inflamed and infected gums) of the teeth is often the cause of kidney infections and endocarditis in older dogs. The pressure on the gums and infection of the teeth is quite painful to your dog.
Preventive steps
An anti-plaque liquid or gel (Chlorhexidine) can be applied to the gum tissue with
a cotton ball or swab. As an alternative, a soft bristle toothbrush or finger brush
can be used with a non-foaming enzymatic toothpaste manufactured for dogs.
Treatments should be done daily or at least every other day, depending on the current problems. Only a few areas are particularly susceptible to plaque and calculus formation. The areas of greatest concern are the canines and upper back molars (side facing cheeks).
Chlorhexidine penetrates gum tissue and prevents bacterial growth, plaque build-up, gingivitis, and bad breath. In addition to the canines and molars, look at the front incisor teeth and brush away any accumulation of hair and food at the gum line if present.
To remove existing calculus deposits, your dog will require short general anesthesia and your dog's teeth will be cleaned with dental instruments along with an ultra-sonic machine that vibrates the calculus off the surface of the teeth. Calculus from under the gum tissue is carefully removed using a hand scaler. Finally, the teeth are polished to reduce purchase for new deposits. This can often be done when the dog is under anesthetic for other reasons, such as neutering.
Cavities, etc
Dogs do not commonly get cavities. When they do occur, it is more often at the root
of the tooth rather than at the crown. Cavities can lead to root abscesses.
Abscessed roots often cause a swelling just below the animal's eye. Generally, tooth extractions are needed at this point.
Disease Transmission (Zoonoses)
Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to people.
(summarized from Carlson & Giffin)
Any worm infestation has the potential of causing problems in humans. Standard hygienic precautions will avoid most of these. Things to watch for: babies getting infected when playing near or on contaminated soil or feces, working in the garden without gloves.
Rabies, toxoplasmosis, brucellosis, and tetanus (lockjaw) can all affect both dogs and humans. Again, simple hygienic precautions will avoid most problems.
