How to avoid dental disease in older dogs
More than 70% of dogs over 3 years old have dental disease. And the older they are, the more they’re susceptible to severe problems.
Looking after your dog’s dental health is important because they are at higher risk of:
- Periodontal disease, which causes severe inflammation and bone loss around tooth roots.
- Brittle or worn-down teeth from a lifetime of chewing.
- Loose or missing teeth, causing advanced decay of gum tissue.
- Oral tumours that can appear as growths or masses
These are the symptoms of dental disease in older dogs:
- Eating less or more slowly than usual
- Dropping food out of their mouth or around the bowl
- Bad breath
- Redness of the gums
- Drooling more than normal
- Inability or unwillingness to open the mouth
- Bleeding mouth or blood on toys or bedding
- Pawing at the face
- Sudden swelling of the face, especially around the cheek
- Wounds that won’t heal around the muzzle
Oral health is important in senior dogs because it stops painful gum disease and can prevent bacteria from spreading to vital organs like the heart and kidneys. While regular cleaning, buying dental chews and vet checks may not seem necessary, they could help prolong your dog’s life, make their lives more comfortable and prevent them needing medical treatment in the future.
You can stay on top of your senior dog’s dental health by booking them in for a regular check-up with your local vet
5 things you can do at home to look after your dog's teeth?
Brush their teeth every day
Ideally you should brush your dog’s teeth daily to maintain a healthy mouth. But use pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste, never use human toothpaste.
Use water additives if your older dog doesn’t like brushing
You can buy additives for their water which has properties that act like pet-safe toothpaste, so they’re killing bacteria without realising or causing distress from brushing.
Buy vet-approved chews for them
Dental chews or treats are designed to mechanically reduce plaque and tartar as they chew. Look for ones approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
Add dental kibble to their diet
Kibble means any dry dog food, but dental kibble is designed to clean your older dog’s teeth as they chew. The biscuits are larger in size and have a fibrous and porous texture to scrum the tooth’s surface. They also have chemical binders to help reduce plaque turning into hard tartar.
If you’re worried about the cost of health care for your aging dog, you can get unlimited consultations with your vet, and money off medication, services, products and vaccines when you join our Healthy Pet Club
When you need professional vet care
Schedule regular dental exams
Just like humans, we recommend a check-up every 6 months. It’s very difficult to examine the whole of a dog’s mouth; let our trained staff catch painful dental disease early for the best chance of treatment.
Get your older dog’s teeth professionally cleaned
If your dog has dental disease, a professional clean may be recommended. This is done under anaesthesia so the vet can safely scale and polish below the gumline. This means your vet can provide a more thorough clean than you may be able to do at home.
Find your local practice to book your older dog an appointment for a dental check.
5 signs of healthy teeth in older dogs
This might seem like an unpleasant or difficult job but it’s essential you have look at your dog’s mouth to make sure they’re healthy.
Are your senior dog’s teeth white?
When teeth first erupt into the oral cavity, the colour of the enamel is white. They do slightly discolour over time but if they’re more yellow than expected, you need to book your dog for a check-up and a clean.
Do the teeth have smooth edges?
The crowns (visible parts) of the teeth should have smooth edges with no parts missing. Flattened teeth are usually a sign of too much chewing of hard objects like stones.
Are their gums pink?
The gums should be uniform, pink in colour, and not showing signs of bleeding.
Is the tissue around your older dog’s teeth pink and healthy looking?
All the soft tissue surfaces, such as inside the cheeks, in your dog´s mouth should have a nice pink appearance, with no growths or ulcers visible. Some breeds, such as the Chow Chow or Shar Pei, can have pigmentation of these tissues, giving them a much darker appearance, so you don’t need to worry about that.
If you’re noticing changes in the appearance of your older dog’s mouth and teeth or changes in habits, it’s time to book an appointment for your senior dog