Detecting oral pain in our pets might be difficult. This is because pets are skilled at covering up any external signs of distress. Our doctors benefit from hearing from us when we are in pain; however, our pets can not communicate. As a result, we must be able to detect little cues to determine when our pet dogs are experiencing tooth pain and take proactive measures to reduce the suffering.
Causes
Many conditions might trigger dental discomfort in dogs. Gingivitis, periodontitis, damaged teeth, lacerations, jaw fractures, and oral cavity cancer are among the painful conditions that our pets can encounter. The most prevalent reason for oral pain in our pets is gingivitis, which can result in dog periodontal disease. Gingivitis and periodontitis are not curable conditions; they’re ongoing problems that require continuous attention.
It has been claimed that by the age of two, more than 80% of canines have medical indications of periodontal disease. Imagine if we ceased brushing our teeth and going to the dentist. What would the sensation be in our mouths? Proactive measures such as regular brushing and visits to the dentist can keep these diseases under control.
Signs
When dogs experience pain, they may express it in different ways. Some instances are as follows:
- Drooling
- Whimpering
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Behavior change or protective behavior
- Resisting head pets
- Loss of appetite, ingesting slowly or dropping food
- Swollen gums
You can visit websites like mountainaireanimalclinic.com and learn how veterinary dentists deal with other indications of oral pain in pets.
Treatment
To prevent oral pain in our dogs, we should be hands-on. Some oral disease or tooth pain indications can only be seen during a vet’s oral examination. Swollen or red gums indicate soreness and infection of the oral cavity. Plaque or calculus buildup reflects the progression of many mouth illnesses.
Dogs with severe periodontitis or sore teeth may sneeze or have a nasal discharge since the bacteria has eroded from the oral cavity into the nasal passage. Our goal as pet owners and vets should be to prevent the oral disease from occurring. A preventative approach will ensure our pet’s dental health and reduce mouth pain caused by frequent oral disorders.
Daily oral home care, proper diet, suitable chew toys, and routine comprehensive oral health assessments and treatments (COHATs) by your veterinary dentist are all part of a proactive approach to our pet’s oral health. Under anesthesia, a COHAT with ultrasonic scaling of the teeth above and below the gum line and polishing the teeth is highly suggested one to two times yearly.
Oral illnesses may react better to treatment if found early. Our pets will be happier and healthier when they get dental care ahead of time. You can talk to your vet for recommendations if you want more info regarding other veterinary treatments for oral pain in dogs.
In the End
Assessing oral pain in dogs is difficult and usually missed. Even if the signs are not obvious, we must know how to recognize them. A proactive plan that involves frequent home assessments and yearly or semiannual vet dentist examinations can help detect problems before they become troublesome. It helps us bond with our pets by caring for their oral health and providing the best life possible.