Oral Anatomy of Dogs – Dental Health Care
The mouth, also referred to as the oral cavity is a very important tool in the digestive system of dogs. When a dog chews its food, it is broken down into smaller pieces where enzymes in the stomach and small intestines can digest it. This is why teeth are a crucial element in a dogs digestive process. A dogs front teeth and tongue allow him/her to pick up food while the back teeth function to grind the food into smaller particles.
Dogs have a total of 42 teeth which are comprised of the incisors and canine teeth in the front and the premolars and molars in the back. Every tooth has a part that is visible above the gum line referred to as the crown as well as the root which is below the gum line. The crown is made of enamel which is the strongest material in the body. Dentin is just below the enamel followed by the pulp which contains most of the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.
The root of a dogs tooth sits in the jaw bone. Some teeth have only one root and some teeth have more than one root. The tissue that surrounds a tooth at the gum line is called the gingiva. The gingiva in a normal dog is attached tightly to the jawbone underneath.
Plaque, Tartar and Gingivitis
Just like humans, when a dog eats, saliva, food and bacteria stick to the teeth. This is perfectly normal and referred to as plaque. Just as we remove this by brushing, so we must do for our dogs. If this plaque is not removed, it can accumulate, eventually causing irritation of the gums. Toxins are released from the bacteria in plaque which can then lead to inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is also referred to as Gingivitis.
Tartar occurs when plaque remains on the teeth for an extended period of time. This allows for more bacteria and debris to accumulate, resulting in further inflammation of the gums. Once this has occurred, the gum line will begin to recede allowing the bacteria to penetrate the jawbone. After this, the tooth will become loose and eventually fall out. Tartar can not only be above the gum line where it can be seen, it can also hide underneath.
An experience veterinarian with great passion for writing, Heather Fox started a class on Clivir.com where she shares her knowledge about Dog Ringworm Symptoms and Demodectic Mange in Dogs with everyone online.
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