Common Pet Dental Problems
Discolored teeth
Pet cavities
Missing teeth and/or
impacted teeth
> Orthodontic and/or
bite problems
Retained baby teeth
Tooth resorption
Worn teeth
Oral infection
Oral tumors
Extra teeth
Red and inflamed gums
Crowding
Feline resorption lesions
Exposed roots
Broken jaw
Enamel hypoplasia or hypocalcification
Base narrow canines
Gum overgrowth
Gum recession
Sneaky cancer
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Orthodontic or bite problems occurr when teeth are not in their correct anatomical positions mostly due to abnormal growth of the maxilla and mandible or breed specific conformational differences. Teeth abnormally interacting with the soft palate, oral musosa, or gingiva is painful. Also when abnormal tooth on tooth contact occurs it can expose the sensitive dentin and nerve of teeth. Moving teeth to their correct anatomical position is possible with various orthodontic devices and techniques.
How to identify disease
Unlike people most pets do not let their owners know they have dental infection, pain or other deseases of the oral cavity. Many pets will continue to eat and be happy to interact with you despite oral pain and infection. This is a wild defensive mechanism strongly rooted in their behavior. In short many pets endure the pain in silence. Pets should have regular oral examinations and if any gum redness (inflammation), abnormal bumps, bad breath, loose or discolored teeth are present the cause should be identified and treated. Studies show that up to 86% of small breed dogs have some sort of detal disease which needs care.