Oral disease is a prevalent issue for pets and can cause great discomfort for your canine companion. Dog tooth extraction is a common veterinary surgery and is often necessary to protect your pup’s long-term wellbeing.
Anasazi Animal Clinic offers canine dental care to keep your pooch happy and healthy. Yearly oral exams can determine if your dog has any existing oral health issues, and hopefully prevent the need for a tooth extraction.
When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary for Dogs?
Pulling a dog’s tooth becomes mandatory for two reasons: to prevent pain, and to improve your pet’s health. Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog might need a dental extraction.
1. Periodontal Disease
The most common reason your dog may need a tooth pulled is periodontal disease (aka gum disease). Gingivitis, the earliest stage of canine gum disease, can often be treated easily by your vet. Unfortunately, if periodontal disease progresses, the later stages often make tooth extractions necessary.
Since many pets don’t show any noticeable symptoms, routine dental checkups are a key factor in catching gum disease early on. Some symptoms of periodontal disease to look out for include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Bloody saliva
- Receding or swollen gums
- Trouble eating
- Avoiding their favorite chew toys
- Sneezing or nasal discharge
2. Fractured Teeth
A fractured or broken tooth can cause your dog a lot of pain. Root canal therapy may be able to solve the problem without an extraction. However, if the fractured tooth and the gum tissue surrounding it are irreparable, oral surgery to extract the tooth will be necessary to keep your pet pain-free.
3. Deciduous Teeth
Dogs have a set of 42 adult teeth which are preceded by their deciduous teeth. Also called baby teeth, needle teeth, or milk teeth, these should all fall out and be fully replaced with an adult set by the time your puppy is 7 or 8 months old. If your dog does not lose all of their deciduous teeth, it may be necessary to extract them so that the adult ones can grow in properly.
4. Oral Tumors
The development of an oral tumor may require your dog to have a tooth extraction in order to remove the tumor.
5. Orthodontic Abnormalities
Sometimes dogs’ teeth grow in where they don’t belong. It may be necessary for your dog to have these teeth removed to prevent further dental complications.
6. Unerupted Teeth
An unerupted tooth is a tooth that remains under the gum line. If left untreated, unerupted teeth can cause cysts that can destroy a large section of your pup’s jaw. For this reason, it is important to extract unerupted teeth in order to keep your pet safe and healthy.
Preventing Dog Tooth Extractions
The earlier you catch dental problems, the less likely it is that your dog will need a tooth extraction. Yearly visits to a veterinary dentist for a checkup are the best way to stay on top of your pet’s oral health. Your vet might also recommend dental chews, mouth rinses, or water additives to supplement your pet’s dental care routine.
Doggy Dental Care in Gilbert
Dental radiographs and an in-depth dental cleaning can keep your pet’s teeth strong and healthy. The expert team at Anasazi Animal Clinic is skilled in animal dentistry and happy to provide quality dental service for your furry family member. Contact our team online or call us at 480-497-0505 to schedule a dental appointment for your dog today!
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