Do you visit your dentist once in a while? Did you know that dogs, as humans, need to see the dentist once in a while too?
Because just like humans, dogs are prone to problems related to their gums and teeth.
What is a cavity and what is the cause of it in dogs?
The decaying of teeth is also known as cavity formation and it is a result of the formation of plaque on the teeth.
Dogs, just as people, can have bacteria in their mouth, which uses the leftover food between the teeth and turns it into plaque.
Over time, this plaque destroys the enamel, which is the teeth’ defense system and leads to caries.
There are some certain conditions that could lead to faster development of caries and those are:
- bad dental health
- a diet that is rich in low-quality carbohydrates
- bad teeth alignment in the dog’s mouth
- low pH of the saliva
- genetic predisposition to inadequate mineralization of the teeth
What are the symptoms of cavity presence in dogs?
How your dog will reach usually depends on how much the condition has progressed. Many times the dogs will not show any particular or concerning signs, which potentially leads to further decaying of the teeth.
There are the most common signals that the owners notice, and should be a red flag for you that it is time to visit the vet for consultation:
- bad mouth breath which your dog didn’t have
- reluctance to eat dry food, or the food falls out of their mouth
- bleeding from the gums
- change of the color of the teeth
- swelling and pain around the mouth
Some dogs are more prone to showing pain than others, which is why you should always check your dog’s mouth, from time to time.
How is cavity treated in dogs?
The treatment procedure for cavity presence usually depends on the stage that the condition is in. there are five different stages, which means that after the initial examination, your vet will determine which procedure is most suitable for your dog:
In Stage 1, only the enamel is damaged, while in Stage 2, the dentin is also affected. At this time, the vet would probably remove the cavity and may do some filling if needed.
In Stage 3, the pulp chamber is affected, which means that the dog will undergo a root canal procedure where the chamber is disinfected, filled and the crown is closed.
Stage 4 means that there is major destruction of the crown of the tooth, while Stage 5 means that the tooth is lost and the tooth root is exposed. At this time, the vet will most certainly remove the tooth in order to remove the pain that the dog has.
Depending on what needs to be done, the most simple procedures would probably cost you between $100 and $200. For the more complex procedures, the prices may be higher and reach up to $800.
