Dogs often suffer from tooth decay, which breaks down the enamel and bone of the tooth. Moreover, both molars and incisors are affected.
A dog can lose its teeth not only in old age, but also being in its prime. Caries occurs in several forms, namely, it is superficial, medium and deep.
Causes of tooth decay in dogs
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Caries in dogs develops as a result of damage to the enamel, for example after rough removal of calculus. Most often, the disease occurs due to metabolic disorders, unbalanced feeding, lack of vitamins and minerals. Perhaps the appearance of caries after the transferred infectious diseases, other diseases, as a result of which the dog’s body weakens.
With the development of diseases of the oral cavity, the destruction of bone tissue is often a concomitant disease.
Symptoms of tooth decay in dogs
It is possible to determine that a dog has caries visually, there are brown and black spots on the affected tooth, there are cavities in the tooth filled with food debris.
In severe cases, the dog begins to chew the food more slowly, food may fall out, and an unpleasant odor is felt from the mouth.
With deep caries, other more serious diseases can develop, for example, pulpitis, in which it is most often recommended to remove the tooth.
Caries treatment in dogs
The method of treatment depends on the degree of tooth damage. It is impossible to restore tooth tissue, but it is possible to stop the process of tooth decay by removing the affected areas. Enamel defects are detected by staining the teeth with special solutions. The localization of caries in dogs and the depth of the lesion is determined by radiography.
Superficial caries is removed, then the affected enamel is remineralized. It is possible to fill the tooth with special composite materials, cement or plastic. If a dog’s tooth is severely affected by caries, the tooth is removed. All manipulations are performed under anesthesia or local anesthesia.
Prophylaxis
You can prevent tooth decay in dogs by feeding your pet properly. The diet should include natural products, mineral and vitamin supplements. If we are talking about dry food, then it must be of high quality and have the correct composition. It is also recommended to include in the diet such foods that the dog could gnaw, for example, bones from veins, cartilage.
Brushing your teeth also helps prevent tooth decay.
Once a year, it is advisable to sanitize the oral cavity – a preventive examination and taking measures to eliminate the identified diseases, for example, the timely removal of tartar.