The Risks of Neglecting Dental Care in Dogs
Good dental care is crucial for a dog’s overall health. Neglecting dental hygiene can lead to significant pain and serious infections. Dental disease progresses through four stages, from simple tartar buildup to complete tooth loss.
- Stage 0: Healthy Teeth
- Clean teeth without plaque or tartar buildup
- Pink gums firmly attached to teeth
- No pain or inflammation
- Stage 1: Gingivitis (Gum Inflammation)
- Tartar present on teeth
- Gums red, swollen, and may bleed
- Mild to moderate pain
- Reversible with dental cleaning
- Stage 2: Mild Dental Disease
- Tartar accumulates under the gums, creating infection pockets
- Gums begin detaching from teeth, gradually exposing roots
- Increased swelling, redness, and frequent bleeding
- First signs of tooth mobility (slight movement of incisors)
- Moderate pain
- Stage 3: Moderate Dental Disease
- Significant tartar buildup above and below gums
- Roots further exposed, infections increasing
- Teeth begin detaching from jawbone
- Infection attacks bone around roots, causing bone recession
- Noticeable mobility of incisors, other teeth also affected
- Intense chronic pain
- Imminent tooth loss
- Stage 4: Severe Dental Disease
- Roots of diseased teeth fully exposed
- Teeth extremely loose, about to fall out
- Over 50% detachment from jawbone
- Extreme pain; the dog may stop eating due to suffering
Possible complications:
- Oro-nasal fistula: an opening between the oral and nasal cavities causing chronic discharge and infections
Why Should Your Dog Have Professional Dental Cleanings?
Professional dental cleanings remove tartar and prevent serious infections. Even with home care, professional scaling remains necessary because:
- Daily brushing slows plaque accumulation but doesn’t fully remove tartar
- Dental diets and treats reduce tartar buildup but don’t entirely prevent dental disease
- Water additives help limit plaque formation but cannot replace professional cleaning
- Home dental care slows tartar progression but cannot substitute for veterinary scaling
Conclusion: Act Before It’s Too Late!
Neglecting dental care in dogs can cause chronic pain, severe infections, and systemic complications. Regular professional cleanings combined with preventive care ensure a healthy mouth and better quality of life for your dog.
If you have questions or wish to schedule a dental cleaning, contact us today!
