Problems with Dogs' Teeth

Can my dog get cavities?

Of course, but not for the same reasons you get cavities. You get them because you won’t stop eating those chocolate bars before bed, and it’s the same reason you keep breaking out! When will you listen to your mother?

Cavities are pretty rare in dogs and don’t come from eating too much sugar or not brushing their teeth before bed. But if one happens to work its way into your buddy’s mouth, she’ll have to have it filled using almost exactly the same materials and equipment the dentist used to fill your last cavity.

How do dogs break their teeth and what can I do to stop it from happening?

Dogs love to chew hard objects. Bones, wood, furniture, stones – it doesn’t matter, they all make your pooch equally delighted. Unfortunately, she may be so delighted that she doesn’t realize when she’s broken a tooth from overzealous gnawing. If you notice a crack or chip in one of her teeth, take a closer look. Simply breaking the enamel of the tooth won’t cause any major problems and can be left alone. But if the break goes deeper into the pulp of the tooth where nerves and blood are stored, she’ll end up in a fair amount of pain. If the break is, in fact, deep enough that the inner portions of the tooth are exposed, she may require a root canal or extraction.

To help prevent such major breaks, stick with dental toys or hard plastic bones. If you can’t bear the thought of depriving your dog the pleasure of a real bone, keep the chewing sessions to 10 minutes or less and never play catch with a bone. 

What else can happen to my dog’s teeth, mouth, or throat, and what can I do about it?

Just as in their human mums and dads, dogs’ mouths and throats can go through painful viral or other infections that can be difficult to pinpoint and treat. The chart above lists some of the more common problems and what your vet may prescribe for treatment.

Helpful hint:

Nasty breath keeping you from accepting your canine’s kisses? Many pet stores and websites now offer doggie breath mints, breath strips, and even natural breath enhancers in pill form to make your baby’s breath as sweet as her personality.