Understanding your dog's teeth

Your dog's teeth are remarkable structures. They are incredibly hard and designed to crack through bones and chew through tough meat. Yet, they are also sensitive structures that need our attention to stay healthy.

THE MOUTH

Puppies are born with small, sharp 'milk' teeth that fall out at around 4-5 months of age before being replaced by their adult teeth. The adult teeth, which are usually erupted by six months of age, are much larger. In total, the adult dog has 42 teeth consisting of incisors, canines, premolars and molars.

THE TYPES OF TEETH

The incisors

The incisors are the dog's front teeth and include all teeth between the canines on both the upper and lower jaws. They are the smallest of the teeth and are designed for grasping food.

The canines

The canine teeth are the 'fangs'. These teeth are designed for ripping and tearing. Dogs have two upper canines and two lower canines.

The premolars

The premolars sit behind the canines; they are the next four teeth on each side, top and bottom. These teeth are used for holding and carrying. When viewed from the side, the upper teeth fit into the gap between the lower teeth and so on.

The molars

The molars are the final two teeth at the back on the top jaw and the final three on the bottom. The molar teeth are for crushing.

THE TOOTH STRUCTURE

A dog's tooth is made up of several layers. The innermost layer is called the pulp. This layer contains the living part of the tooth – blood, nerves and stem cells are all found here. The pulp is larger in a young animal, and as your dog ages, the outermost layer of cells lays down more and more dentine, reducing the amount of pulp.

The dentine is the next layer of the tooth and is the second hardest material in your dog's body! Unlike more structures in the body, dentine doesn't contain cells; it is just extruded mineral crystals and collagen. Although dentine contains no nerves, it can transmit pain to the pulp.

The outer layer is the enamel – the hardest surface in the canine body. Whilst the dentine and the pulp are present in the entire tooth (both the root and the crown), the enamel only covers the exposed surfaces of the tooth. This means that below the surface of the gum, there is no enamel –instead the tooth contains a layer of cementum, which provides a rough surface to help the tooth connect to the bone of the jaw. The gum connects tightly to the cementum, forming a physical barrier to stop bacteria from entering.

ISSUES WITH THE TEETH

Growth issues

Some dogs are born with dental or jaw issues, and some dogs develop them. Misaligned jaws, such as those with an under or overbite, can cause dental problems.

Some dogs also don't lose their baby teeth as planned, meaning that these are retained in the mouth. These teeth crowd the newly emerging teeth, meaning that dogs are more likely to get periodontal disease and dental problems later in life.

Damage and trauma

Dogs of any age can fracture their teeth, especially if they are given bones to chew on or partake in rough play sessions. Various types of fractures can occur, but all are painful as they expose the sensitive pulp. Fractured teeth are also more prone to getting dental abscesses.

Abscesses

When the enamel or dentine is damaged, either through fracture or wear and tear, bacteria can get through and cause a painful tooth root abscess. The bacteria travel through the pulp and start an infection, causing the bone to swell – which is extremely painful. Abscesses often appear as a hard lump and are most commonly seen directly under the eye. An X-Ray will show which tooth caused the problem.

Periodontal disease

The most common dental disease in dogs is periodontal disease or periodontitis. Small amounts of bacteria in the mouth form a plaque, a film that's not removed by saliva. Over time, if not removed, this film turns into tartar, or calculus, a hard material. This hard outer casing is dark brown-grey-green in colour, and it traps the bacteria next to the teeth and causes damage. These dogs often get inflamed gums or gingivitis. Over time the bacteria get between the gum and the teeth, burrowing through the periodontal ligament. Once this ligament is damaged, the process is irreversible and the tooth becomes painful and wobbly making it hard for the dog to eat.

TREATMENT FOR DENTAL DISEASE

Your vet will need to treat dental disease. In the case of damage, trauma and abscesses, they will assess the extent of the issue and manage it accordingly. This might involve tooth removal, which is commonly done by drilling into the bone of the jaw to loosen the tooth so that it can be removed cleanly. In the case of periodontal disease, your vet will need to give the teeth a professional clean. This includes scaling beneath the gum line. This is uncomfortable for your dog, so he will need a general anaesthetic. In some cases, teeth will need to be removed.

Veterinary dentists can perform specialised procedures, such as root canal treatments, for some conditions, sometimes allowing them to save the tooth.

PREVENTION

Toothbrushing

Brushing the teeth is the best thing you can do to keep your dog's teeth healthy. Brushing removes the plaque before it can harden into tartar and also reduces the bacterial load in your dog's mouth. You should always use dog toothpaste (human toothpaste can contain poisonous ingredients for dogs like xylitol or excess fluoride) and either a dog toothbrush or a soft human toothbrush. Just as with humans, the goal is to brush twice daily but even once daily will help a lot. If you are just starting brushing teeth for the first time, you should build up slowly to get your dog used to it.

Dental chews

Dental chews are very popular, but most of them are not backed by science. They can also be very high in calories!

Food and water additives

Some dogs really object to having their teeth brushed, so, in these cases, food or water additives may be the best option. Although these are much less effective than brushing, some products do have a small impact.

Diets

Specialised dental diets are available. These contain ingredients to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, and some are also designed to break up and clean the teeth while dogs chew them. Diets aren't as successful as brushing, but they can work as part of a strategy or where they are the only option the dog will accept.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Keeping your dog's teeth clean is important for their health and well-being. If you have concerns about your dog's teeth, speak to your vet to get their advice.