The examination and care of the dog’s teeth is best during early adulthood. Daily grooming of the dog’s teeth may be bothersome, but it will save you time and effort in the long run and given proper attention, the dog’s teeth can be kept in good condition.
The average adult dog has 42 teeth; the upper jaw contains 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 premolars, and 4 molars; the lower jaw has 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 premolars, and 6 molars. There is some breed and individual variation in the number of permanent teeth; the average Pekingese, Boxer, a Bulldog (i.e. breeds with a short skull) has slightly fewer teeth. The dog owner may avoid purchasing a dog with an undershot or overshot jaw and once that is done, the main concern should be the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums.
In maintaining a healthy teeth and gums, proper examination must be done to make sure that the permanent ones are well-positioned, straight, not crowded too closely together, free from disease, and not worn by stone-carrying and gnawing. However, the dog’s teeth cannot repair themselves; once the enamel is worn off, they remain damaged and may need treatment or extraction.
Tartar or dental plaque poses the greatest threat to the health of the dog’s teeth and gums. Guard against tartar - that yellowish, hard deposit on one or more teeth. Bacteria present in the dog’s mouth may act on soft, sweet food. Gradually, a soft deposit, at first composed of food particles and dead bacteria, becomes impregnated with calcium and other mineral salts contained in the saliva, and eventually attains a considerable hardness. More so, the tartar attains a considerable bulk in neglected cases, forming hard masses over several teeth which are completely covered and masked. The least of its harm is its unslightly color, but the real danger is that it menaces the life of the tooth to which it clinges.
Tartar is most serious as it pushes into the gum, and where the tartar reaches to the gum and encroaches on them, inflammation is caused (gingivitis). This is followed by an increasing degree of infection, and a foul odor from the mouth. If still not relieved by professional treatment, the condition progresses to one of periodontal disease, with shrinkage of gums and later of the underlying bone. As the gums recede from the teeth, fresh sites are formed for food particles to lodge for bacteria, and for more tartar. Loosening of the teeth occurs as the tartar breaks into the membrane, which is the teeth’s main brace, and the general health of the dog suffers. This condition may not be painful. On the other hand, if food particles work down into the gum cavities and decompose to cause abscesses, there will be considerable suffering.
Loose teeth cause pain, reluctance to masticate and sometimes, loss of weight. Do not expect the dog to announce a toothache by crying. He suffers in silence with signs that include pawing at the mouth, rubbing his jaw and affected side along the floor, and whimpering. In addition, dogs with tooth trouble may dribble. He eats gingerly, mothering his food with his lips rather than with his teeth. All of these may indicate a decayed, broken or otherwise sensitive tooth, or possibly a piece of bone wedged between two teeth
One may ask if anything can be done to prevent tartar formation and tooth decay, such as mouth wash or brushing the teeth. You may decide to add tooth-cleaning to grooming chores, and if the dog does not protest too vigorously, thee is no point in going to the expense of a canine dentifrice – use a little common salt in water.
Bones and hard substances are, in a manner of speaking, the dog’s tooth brush. Not that they actually clean the teeth; they perform an even better service than that. They stimulate the blood supply as they rub over the gums. Therefore, the gnawing of bones and the chewing of coarse, hard food helps keep the entire mouth healthy. That is why as the puppy grows, we gradually discontinue very moist foods and instead, feed drier, more crumbly mixtures. And then, when the second teeth are in, we give hard-baked biscuits occasionally.
All through the dog’s life, you may keep his teeth clean by wiping them regularly with a damp cloth dipped in salt or baking soda. A gentle rotating motion will simulate the gums as well as actually clean the teeth. The dog, accustomed to this attention from puppyhood, does not object. Rather, he enjoys being fussed over.
For complete information and tips on how to properly handle your dog's health problems, Check This Out
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