Signs Your Dog May Be in Pain from Dental Issues
If you are like us at HealthyWoof, you are definitely on top of grooming, vaccinations, and vet checkups on a regular basis. Unfortunately, a lot of pet owners can sometimes simply forget to check their canine’s pearl whites. Thus, they realize that something is wrong only when the signs of dental problems in dogs are obvious and even irreparable. While we can rush to the doc immediately, our furry babies tend to suffer in silence until it’s too late. But if you make sure to notice the earliest signs of dog dental pain, this furry tail will stay healthy and happy.
Stinky Breath
Photo by Kaylin Bocker from Unsplash
One of the key dog dental pain symptoms is bad breath. While mild breath is just normal, sour, strong, and even kind of ‘rotting’ odors are signals that those sweet kisses are in the past, and your mutt has a decay or infection. Keep in mind that yucky breath is one of the earliest and most common canine dental disease symptoms, so keep your eyes (or nostrils) open.
Dropping Kibbles and Chewing on One Side
One of the top recommendations we tend to give in our blog is that you have to notice the smallest signs of dog teeth problems. What may seem innocent today might turn into a lost tooth or kidney/heart problems. That is why you have to pay attention to how your pooch eats. Do they all of a sudden choose soft snacks? Or perhaps, they chew on one side? Does your four-legged gourmand drop kibble from their mouth? If yes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your pet needs immediate dog dental disease treatment. However, these can be the very first signals that it’s time to see a vet because chewing doesn’t give any pleasure to your woofer. It can be anything, from nothing serious to inflamed gum tissue or a broken tooth that turns eating into torture.
Drooling More Than Usual
Photo by James Barker from Unsplash
What are the signs of dental problems in dogs that include tooth pain? Drooling. When the fluffy good boy suffers from mouth pain, they start to avoid chewing (as mentioned above) and drool more than usual. Check out their saliva. In most cases, it gets foamy, thick, and even has a little blood in it.
Visible Changes
If you wonder how to know if your dog has tooth pain, take a closer look at your four-legged companion. Here are the signs it’s time to seek pro-level help:
- Some teeth are loose or broken
- Gums are swollen, bleeding, and red
- Yellow or/and brown tartar buildup is on many teeth
- Lumps or bumps can be seen near the gums
Your four-legged buddy doesn’t let you do even a quick check? It can itself be a sign of pain! Before you get the vet’s appointment, start from our online catalog with everything you need to support your mutt’s dental health. It includes products made to help keep teeth clean, fresh breath, and provide better everyday oral care.
Changes in Behavior to Watch for
Photo by Regine Tholen from Unsplash
In addition to obvious physical issues, we recommend watching your hound for unusual changes in their behavior. Some of them may signal that dog dental treatment should enter the game asap. The pup in mouth pain may become…
- More irritated and/or withdrawn
- Less interested in playing with you or other pets
- Unusually clingy or quiet
Before you’re in a hurry to say your pup is totally fine, keep in mind that they tend to suffer silently and hide pain instinctively. Moreover, even subtle behavioral changes matter. At the very least, check the animal’s mouth. And at a maximum, get an appointment with a veterinarian. Just like in the case of homo sapiens, the impact of oral health on their happiness is real. Choose only the best foods for dog dental health, watch for warning signs at home, and have a home teeth care routine to help man’s best friend avoid unnecessary suffering.
