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Care of the Teeth
Well-cared-for teeth are
essential to the health of the dog. The teeth
of young, vigorous animals usually demand little or no attention, but
dental ailments become of increasing frequency and importance as the
animal gets older. Most dental derangements are readily remedied, but
if they are neglected serious secondary disturbances may ensue. It is
therefore a good, hygienic measure to have the dog's teeth checked
about twice a year by a veterinarian, especially after the animal
attains its fifth year. As far as daily care by the owner is concerned,
it is best that no effort be made to clean the teeth by brushing. This
is something that is quite unnecessary in the dog, and it is very
unlikely to do any good. If there is any question about the condition
of the dog's teeth, simply ask your veterinarian.
As the animal gets older, tartar usually appears on the teeth. This
tartar consists of deposits of minerals extracted from the diet. The
tartar pushes against the gums, causing irritation, infection,
sloughing, and recession. If the process continues, the gums recede so
far that the teeth become loose in their sockets.
As the tartar accumulates and the gum irritation becomes more severe, a
repulsive odor of decaying tissue comes from the animal's mouth. If the
animal is further neglected, it is observed to eat cautiously because
of the pain caused by the pressure of the food against the loose teeth
and the irritated gums. The absorption of poisonous substances that
result from the decaying tissue may cause toxic reactions in the dog,
with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and general depression.
Animal dentistry consists essentially of cleaning teeth, extracting
them, and treating the gums. These dental procedures are classified as
minor operations and animals tolerate them very well. Often as many as
fifteen to twenty teeth may be removed at a single sitting without
apparent discomfort to the animal. This is due to the fact that
infected teeth of dogs are usually so loose in their sockets that only
the slightest pressure has to be exerted to remove them. The
operations are performed under mild sedation or general anaesthesia.
The teeth of dogs are not subject to dental caries, that is, to
cavities, so that the veterinarian is not called upon to fill teeth.
There are, however, numerous cases on record of false teeth having been
prepared for dogs. This is not a routine practice because it is
economically unfeasible and because false teeth in dogs are not
physiologically necessary. The function of the teeth in dogs is mainly
to tear food, not to chew it. The digestive system of these animals is
such as to render chewing unnecessary to all practical purposes.
Therefore, if a dog has no teeth at all, the owner merely has to cut up
the food into small pieces, and this accomplishes the main task of the
teeth. If this is done, the toothless dog will thrive quite well. Thus
the dental plate is an unessential ostentation.
In regard to routine animal dentistry, the favorable result of a
thorough dental treatment is immediate and sensational in most cases.
The odor quickly disappears from the dog's mouth, the toxic substances
are readily eliminated, and the reinvigorated animal gallivants in a
manner reminiscent of its puppyhood days.
Dental Fistula
| Dental fistula is a dental ailment
so
distinctive as to deserve
special mention. It concerns an infection of the so-called carnassial
teeth—the very large teeth of the upper jaw that can be seen by pulling
back the corner of the lip on each side of the dog's mouth. One
carnassial tooth grows on either side of the
upper jaw. The roots are so deep that, when they are infected, the
infection extends into the sinuses of the skull and forms an abscess,
which sooner or later breaks out in an area directly underneath and
about an inch away from the eye. Such a formation is called a fistula,
for a fistula simply means a pathway within the body tissue along which
pus travels. The area around which the abscess breaks may be only
slightly swollen or it may be so enlarged that the face has a distorted
aspect. Most often the swelling is only slight. A discharge that may be
bloody or pussy flows from the opening of the abscess. This may become
dried and scabby. If routine antiseptics are applied to the affected
area, the wound may heal. But this healing is only temporary, for in
time the sore opens up again and gives rise to more discharge. This
condition may occur on one or both sides of the face, depending on
whether one or both carnassial teeth are infected. The whole picture of
this
condition is so characteristic that once it is seen it is rarely
forgotten. |
Dental Fistula
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Treatment
is very simple and consists of the removal of the affected
teeth. These teeth are so large that, if they are firmly embedded as is
often the case, they first have to be split into two parts in order to
be removed. When they are split, each part is removed separately, a not
too complicated procedure. Once it is done, and the fistula is cleaned,
healing usually takes place in a couple of days without any further
treatment.
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