As a part of comprehensive care for your dogs, pet dental care is essential to maintaining their oral health. Unfortunately, not only poor oral hygiene is one of the most common problems in dogs, but also developmental abnormalities.
Find out how these affect your dogs and what you can do to ensure their oral health.
What Are Developmental Abnormalities in Dogs?
Developmental abnormalities are defined as any structural, functional, or biochemical change that occurs during an animal’s development and may persist into adulthood. In dogs, these abnormalities can manifest differently depending on their severity.
Dogs with these abnormalities can also suffer from internal medical conditions, which means you also need to see an internist vet. Some common developmental abnormalities affecting dogs are:
Elongated Soft Palate
This is a condition where the soft palate (the fleshy tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth) is too long. It happens when the muscles and tissues making up the soft palate do not develop properly in utero. Elongated soft palates are common in brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as pugs and boxers. They can cause difficulty breathing and make your dog more prone to snoring and sleep apnea.
Cleft Palate
This opening in the roof of the mouth occurs when the tissues do not fuse together properly during development. It can cause eating and drinking problems, as well as difficulty breathing. Cleft palates affect certain breeds more than others, such as bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Shih Tzus.
Underbite
This is a condition where the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw. Genetic factors can cause it, or it may result from trauma to the teeth or jaws. Underbites are more common in certain breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs.
An underbite can cause difficulty eating and drinking, which may also lead to gum disease. Your dog may need to have their teeth cleaned more often if they have an underbite.
Dental Abnormalities
Dental abnormalities are common in dogs and can be caused by genetic factors or poor dental care. Common dental problems include:
- Crowding. This is a condition when the teeth do not have enough space to erupt properly. Genetics or trauma to the teeth or jaws may cause crowding, which is more common in certain breeds, such as pugs, Boston Terriers, Shi Tzus, and bulldogs. Crowding can lead to periodontal disease.
- Malocclusion. Malocclusion is when the teeth do not meet properly when the jaws are closed. This can be due to genetics, or it may result from trauma to the teeth or jaws. Malocclusion is more common in certain breeds, such as pugs, Boston Terriers, Shi Tzus, and bulldogs. Malocclusion can lead to periodontal disease.
- Missing teeth. A missing tooth is a condition where one or more teeth are absent. This can be due to genetics, or it may be the result of trauma to the teeth or jaws. Toys and miniature poodles are prone to this condition, leading to gum disease.
- Tooth resorption. Tooth resorption is a condition where the body absorbs the tooth root. Genetics and trauma to the teeth or jaws can cause this abnormality. Tooth resorption is more common in certain breeds, such as Yorkshire terriers. Tooth resorption can lead to periodontal disease.
- Oral tumors. Oral tumors are growths that develop in the mouth. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Oral tumors are more common in certain breeds, such as boxers and bulldogs. These can cause difficulty eating and drinking and lead to gum disease.
How Anatomy and Physiology Affect a Dog’s Oral Health
The way a dog’s anatomy and physiology are put together can also affect oral health. Anatomy is the body’s structure, while physiology deals with how the body functions.
For example, how a dog’s teeth are shaped can make them more prone to some dental issues. For instance, pugs and Boston terriers have shorter muzzles than other breeds, which can cause crowding of the teeth. This crowding can lead to periodontal disease.
Another is brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as pugs and boxers often have elongated soft palates. This can cause difficulty breathing and make your dog more prone to snoring and sleep apnea.
Cleft palates are also more common in certain breeds, such as bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Shih Tzus. This can cause difficulty eating and drinking, as well as difficulty breathing.
Similarly, an underbite is a condition where the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw. Genetic factors can cause it, or it may result from trauma to the teeth or jaws. Underbites are more common in certain breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs. An underbite can cause difficulty eating and drinking and may also lead to gum disease.
Common Oral Health Problems in Dogs Due to Developmental Abnormalities
1. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the most common oral health problem in dogs. It’s caused by bacteria that eat away at the tooth enamel. This can lead to pain, sensitivity, and eventually, tooth loss.
2. Gum Disease
This disease is another common oral health issue in dogs due to their anatomy. This is when the gums become inflamed and start to pull away from the teeth. This can lead to infection, tooth loss, and other serious problems. Help prevent this by regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and taking them to the vet for dental check-ups.
3. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
This condition affects brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs. Because of how their teeth are positioned in their mouths, they can develop an obstruction in their airway. This can then lead to difficulty breathing, snoring, and other respiratory problems. If you think your dog may have BAOS, take them to the vet for a check-up.
4. Bad Breath
Bad breath is another common oral health problem in dogs. It’s caused by bacteria buildup in the mouth, which can be a sign of gum disease. To help prevent this, brush your dog’s teeth regularly and take them to the vet for dental check-ups.
How to Prevent Oral Health Problems in Dogs
Here are tips to help prevent oral health problems in dogs:
- Brush their teeth regularly using a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Give them dental chews or treats to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
- Bring them to your vet for regular dental check-ups.
- Feed them a balanced and nutritious diet. An example of a good dog diet for oral health is high in protein and vegetables and low in carbohydrates.
Can Specialists Fix Developmental Abnormalities?
Developmental abnormalities can be fixed by specialists such as orthodontists and oral surgeons. They can help correct crowding, malocclusion, and missing teeth. If your dog has BAOS, they may also need to see a veterinarian specializing in respiratory issues.
Your dog’s oral health is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Be sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly and take them to the vet for dental check-ups. If you think they may have a problem, take them to see an experienced specialist. Make sure to visit their website and the facility itself to see if it’s well-equipped to handle your dog’s needs.
