What Can I Do For My Dog That Has A Toothache?

Dogs can suffer the sharp pain of a toothache just as acutely as their human owners can. Dog mouth pain symptoms include difficulty chewing, reluctance or refusal to eat, excessive drooling, pawing the muzzle, and sensitivity to touch on the face or mouth. Thankfully, you can give your dog's mouth some short-term pain relief at home before taking him to the vet for a dog teeth cleaning or oral exam.

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The faster you recognize toothache symptoms in your canine companion, the quicker you can relieve her pain. Symptoms include having difficulty chewing, chewing more slowly, refusing to eat, or showing less interest than normal in eating dry kibble or treats. Dogs may also drop food as they chew or drool excessively. Obvious symptoms include a sudden habit of pawing at the muzzle or avoiding having the face or mouth touched. Physical symptoms of dental issues include bad breath, loose or discolored teeth, or a swollen muzzle.

Dogs are very good at covering up their pain, and in some cases, they may not even show pain until a veterinary appointment. However, to avoid getting bit, be careful inspecting your dog's mouth for signs of dental problems, as dogs may be irritated or sensitive. Speak to your veterinarian as soon as you see any changes in your dog's behavior or notice any of these symptoms of mouth pain.

Dog owners can offer their dog short-term pain relief while arranging for a visit to the veterinarian. Try a dog tooth pain relief home remedy like wrapping an ice pack or a heat pack in a towel and gently holding it to your dog's face to soothe toothache pain. Since your dog still needs to eat even if he is refusing dry kibble, try feeding him soft foods, like rice or chicken.

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Ask your veterinarian before giving your dog any kind of medication. While some human medications are safe and provide dog tooth pain relief, medications can be toxic in large doses and even fatal.

The only way to provide long-term dog mouth pain relief is with professional dental care. Your veterinarian can assess your dog's oral health and provide dog teeth cleaning to take care of any underlying conditions causing pain.

A veterinarian can prescribe proper dental care to resolve a dog's toothache. Preferably, however, pet owners should try to prevent their dog's teeth from decaying in the first place with regular at-home dental care. Veterinarians recommend that owners brush their dog's teeth regularly with a veterinarian-recommended toothpaste. If your dog doesn't like getting her teeth brushed, there are many alternatives that will help your dog's oral health. Try adding a dental additive to your dog's water or spritz dental dog spray.

If your dog can handle chewing, gnawing on chew toys is a natural way for dogs to clean their teeth. Give your dog specialized dog chews that have ridges and nubs to massage your dog's gums and clean her teeth as she chews them.

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Additionally, pet owners need to take their dog to the veterinarian at least once a year for a dental cleaning. Veterinarians will take X-rays and put him under anesthesia to scale tartar above and below his gums and polish his teeth. They will also evaluate your dog's overall dental health, check for infections and diseases, and treat dental issues.