Can Dogs Get Cavities?
Dogs can get cavities in much the same way humans can, although they are less common in dogs. For cavity treatment, we must take our dogs to a veterinary clinic. Only a vet can eliminate infection with antibiotics, dental surgery, or other medications. Until you can get your pup to the vet’s, I’ll tell you about some natural remedies to relieve their discomfort and help prevent the symptoms from worsening.
Signs of a Tooth Cavity in Dogs
Prolonged exposure to bacteria and food particles can harm teeth, causing cavities or “caries” in the mouth. When bacteria accumulate on the teeth, acid builds up and erodes the tooth’s outer layers, leading to decay. Here are some signs of a canine tooth cavity:
- Refusing to eat crunchy kibble or treats
- Pain or discomfort in the mouth region
- Not chewing toys
- Excessive drooling
- Dropping food on the floor
- Lack of appetite
- Tooth discoloration
- A black spot on a dog’s tooth
Have you noticed that dogs often try to hide their discomfort? In the wild, weak or vulnerable canines are open to attack by prey or the rest of the pack, leaving them behind. Following this instinct, your dog may try to hide that their mouth is hurting. So, it’s up to us as pet owners to recognize the signs and help them.
However, only a vet can determine a dog’s progression of dental disease. They measure dog tooth decay stages from mild inflammation to severe infection and tooth loss.
Home Remedies for Dog Tooth Decay
When used correctly, home remedies can effectively reduce the symptoms of canine cavities, particularly in mild cases. While they don’t cure cavities or replace veterinary care, they can temporarily provide relief and help manage the condition until professional help is available.
1. Doggy Mouthwash
If your vet gives you the go-ahead to care for your dog’s cavity symptoms at home, a doggy mouthwash using chlorhexidine may be an effective and practical option. Chlorhexidine is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that vets sometimes apply to dogs’ oral cavities as an antibacterial cleaning solution.
When used as an oral rinse, it can fight bacteria for up to 12 hours, meaning it can help slow the cavity from worsening and lessen the risk of infection and pain.
This medicine is straightforward to apply:
- Squirt a small amount of the rinse inside the cheek, on each side of the mouth.
- Chlorhexidine slowly diffuses into the oral cavity after binding to the oral tissues, tooth surfaces, and preexisting plaque.
The product’s flavor may be unpleasant to some animals, but aside from that, giving your dog this oral rinse at home should pose very few risks or difficulties.
Important!
Please keep in mind that you should only administer medication after talking to your vet and getting their approval.
2. Coconut Oil
Did you know that coconuts benefit dogs in many ways? Coconut oil has natural antibacterial properties. In addition, it helps soothe infected areas and reduce swelling. Dogs can safely ingest coconut oil in small quantities.
Limited but consistent research supports the effectiveness of using coconut oil for “oil pulling” to prevent dental caries. So, gently rubbing coconut oil on the infected area should help alleviate some discomfort.
To give the oil time to work its magic, you may want to keep your pup from eating or drinking anything else for about 15 minutes after applying it to the cavity area.
3. Pet Cone
To relieve the discomfort, your dog will likely want to scratch the area where the cavity hurts or rub their face on the floor and furniture. You don’t want to let them irritate their mouth because doing so might worsen the cavity symptoms and cause additional problems.
Watch your dog’s activity or, even better, encourage him to wear a soft pet cone until the vet can adequately treat the problem.
4. Warm Compress
An excellent way to alleviate your dog’s tooth cavity symptoms is to use a warm compress. According to PetMD, warm compresses help increase blood flow and cleanse an inflamed, painful area of a dog’s mouth.
To make a compress:
- Use a clean cloth and warm water.
- Apply the warmed compress to the affected area 5–10 times daily.
By encouraging blood flow to the injured spot, you can help speed up the healing process. Applying a warm, wet cloth may result in some drainage if an abscess is present. This situation is not much of a cause for concern unless your dog is noticeably in pain. Until the drainage stops, wipe away any discharge with a clean cloth and rinse with water or the chlorhexidine solution mentioned above.
Dog Cavity Treatment
So, your dog has a cavity in its teeth; how do you fix it? Home remedies can help with pain or discomfort symptoms, but, as mentioned earlier, they cannot replace veterinary care.
Veterinarian dentists use many of the same methods used by our dentists, including:
- Taking dental X-rays to figure out the extent of tooth damage
- Drilling and filling the hole to stop further decay
- Performing a root canal to thoroughly clean out and seal the tooth and root (if necessary)
- Completely removing the tooth (extracting a severely damaged tooth)
Your vet may advise pulling the tooth because it is the least expensive and most straightforward way to resolve the issue. Although a root canal may fix the problem, that option is more costly and invasive. This decision is typically only made if the pet owner wants to save the tooth.
Is It Common for Dogs to Get Cavities?
Due to the low levels of acids and sugars in most canines’ diets, dental caries are rare in dogs. They account for less than 10% of all canine dental issues. The most frequent dental concerns in dogs are periodontal disease and broken teeth. According to the most recent published study, only about 5.3% of dogs have cavities. In comparison, the CDC reports that 25% of human adults aged 20 to 64 currently have one or more cavities. Here’s why:
- Most dogs don’t consume many sugary or acidic foods, leading to harmful bacteria growth.
- Canine teeth are mainly narrow and pointy, not flat and grinding, which gives bacteria fewer places to take root and do damage.
- Dogs live shorter lives, giving the bacteria less time to harm.
However, some breeds are more prone to getting cavities than others. For example, dog breeds like Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, Poodles, and Pugs are more vulnerable to tooth decay than other breeds.
Is Periodontal Disease Reversible In Dogs?
Periodontal disease, a common dental issue in dogs, is often reversible if caught early. Regular brushing, professional cleanings, and a proper diet can help to undo the early stages of periodontal disease and maintain your dog’s oral health.
How To Prevent Future Dog Cavities
Two factors that cause the most tooth decay are:
- food accumulation, and
- bacterial growth.
Therefore, daily tooth brushing is the most efficient at-home remedy for preventing canine cavities and other dental health issues, including gum disease. We especially need to pay attention to the chewing surfaces in the back of the mouth.
Dental Treat Recommendation
Try some dental treats and chew toys that significantly help to reduce tartar—my dog can’t get enough of Greenies. They are a fantastic oral hygiene supplement. More importantly, create a schedule for yearly professional cleanings and examinations. In doing so, a veterinary dentist can spot potential problems and address them right away.
A Vet Explains How to Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Healthy
Final Thoughts
If you think your dog has a tooth cavity and can’t see your vet immediately, use these home remedies to relieve some of your pup’s discomfort and pain. They might also prevent the symptoms from getting too severe. Wherever possible, please consult your veterinarian for what’s best for your pet.
Sources and Further Reading
- What to Do About Bad Teeth and Gingivitis | Vets Now
Although most canines over the age of three have some degree of dental disease, this article explains how dogs don’t typically suffer from severe tooth decay. - Abscesses in Dogs | PetMD
Warm compresses applied to a painful, inflamed site help to enhance blood flow and clean the area. - Chlorhexidine for Dogs and Cats | Pet Place
Has your dog or cat been prescribed chlorhexidine? Here’s what you should know. Our vets discuss the medication and how to use it properly. - Health Effects of Coconut Oil Narrative Review of Current Evidence
Wallace T. C. (2019). Health Effects of Coconut Oil-A Narrative Review of Current Evidence. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 38(2), 97–107. - Hale FA. Dental caries in the dog. J Vet Dent. 1998 Jun;15(2):79-83. doi: 10.1177/089875649801500203
