[IE] Does your dog have bad breath?

You have probably experienced that you pulled away when a dog greeted you because of the dog’s bad breath. Dogs like to greet us by licking us humans in the face, something which there are divided opinions about, it is normal behavior for them. However, bad breath is not a normal condition. In the long run, the cause can lead to painful inflammations or worse. But luckily, as a dog owner, you can do a lot to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.

A common belief among us humans is that it is normal for dogs to have bad breath, but a healthy dog should not have bad breath. A healthy dog’s breath can smell like the food the dog eats, a scent that we humans do not always appreciate in and of itself. But there is a difference between smelling dog food and how a dog smells from his mouth when his dental and oral health is poor.

Dog bad breath is a common sign of plaque
Bad breath is often a sign of plaque, but it can also be due to oral tumors, nutritional deficiencies, kidney and liver diseases, something stuck in the mouth, or the dog eating something toxic. However, the most common cause is plaque formation, which in the long run can lead to painful gingivitis and more serious diseases. Plaque forms every day in the dog’s mouth, therefore daily routines of tooth brushing and food supplements are important.

Although a dog’s bad breath is the most common sign of plaque, it’s also good to keep an eye out if your dog loses weight, has red and/or swollen gums, has a poor appetite, or seems sensitive around their teeth. The sooner you take care of plaque, the better because when plaque is mineralized and calcified by saliva, it develops into tartar. Tartar can lead to inflammation in the dog’s gums, which can be very painful. Poor dental hygiene can also have other serious consequences such as urinary tract infections, pyorrhea (swelling of the gums), and even kidney, liver, and heart diseases.

Should you go to the vet when your dog has bad breath?
It is often very long before we notice that dogs have sore mouths since they are experts at hiding pain. Therefore, it is important that you take care of your dog’s teeth yourself and look out for symptoms of dental and mouth problems on a regular basis. If you notice that your dog’s bad breath does not go away despite dietary supplements and brushing or that your dog loses appetite, has difficulty eating normally, or that the gums become red and swollen, you should go to the vet. You can also notice from the dog’s behavior that something is not right if, for example, he or she tries to scratch or move his paws around his or her mouth.

You can remove plaque and lighter tartar yourself at home, but a heavier tartar coating usually needs a veterinarian to help you remove it. The veterinarian removes plaque and calculus from the crowns of the teeth and the pockets in the gumline using an ultrasonic scaler that has minimal impact on the enamel of the teeth. At the vet, you also get tips and advice on how to maintain your dog’s teeth to prevent future dental issues.