What is the #1 most diagnosed oral problem for dogs?

The most common health problems in dogs are dental disease, obesity and ear infections. The most common health problems of dogs are dental disease (12.5%), ear infection (7.3%) and obesity (7.1%). This study shows that it is really important for owners to develop strong habits of caring for their dog’s teeth, ears and weight, right from the time they first acquire a puppy. Owners should work closely with their vet to plan appropriate dental and weight care programmes at each visit to their veterinary clinic. Dental disease is the most common health problem, affecting 12.5% of dogs. These findings highlight the complexity of caring properly for dogs, but by knowing more about why dogs get sick, owners are better placed to keep them safe. These findings can also assist veterinarians and owners to decide on the best preventive care for their dog, especially as they get older.

Dental disease is the number one clinical problem in small animal practices. Periodontal disease is by far number one clinical oral problem in dogs and it includes gingivitis and periodontitis. And thus, oral pathology is exceedingly common in canine patients. These conditions often cause significant pain and/or localised, regional, and systemic infection. The presented oral problems are statistically quite common and it is important to diagnose these conditions at the primary health care or general practices. Despite the fact that they may lead to serious complications, the affected patients rarely display their discomfort, and behave almost normally. In addition, there is a very wide variety of pathologies that are encountered within the oral cavity of the dogs. Most oral problems cause pain and infection, therefore, appropriate diagnosis should be followed by management of the diagnosed diseases.

Many vets see their canine patients developing periodontal or dental disease before the age of 3. Periodontal disease or "gum disease" is occurs when there is an excessive amount of plaque build-up on a dog's teeth. This early onset of dental disease can have serious negative consequences for your pup's long-term health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental issues in dogs, and it can lead to infections, tooth loss or gum recession if plaque is not regularly cleaned from the teeth. Just as in humans, there have been links found between periodontal disease and heart disease in dogs. Dental care is essential to any dog's overall health, as gum disease and infection can affect major organs in a dog if not treated promptly.

Inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis, is a very common mouth problem in dogs, says Bierbrier. Gingivitis is caused by the accumulation of food particles and bacteria along the dog’s gum line, which form plaque. The biggest signs of trouble are bad breath and inflamed gums. Annual visits to the vet should include a thorough look in the dog’s mouth, Bierbrier says, and dog owners should brush their dog’s teeth regularly to prevent gingivitis. One of the most common mouth-related conditions that veterinarians generally see in dogs is injury from foreign objects embedded in a dog’s mouth, says Dr. Amy Stone, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainsville, Fla. Signs that a dog has something stuck in its mouth may include excessive drooling and gagging. However, dog owners may have no idea their pet is in discomfort or pain since the dog may continue to eat and drink normally, Stone says. Periodontal disease is an inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s deep supporting structures. Small dog breeds, including the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier and many other toy breeds, tend to be prone to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, characterized by a range of symptoms including bad breath, drooling, inflamed and/or bleeding gums, and tooth loss, can be prevented by regular teeth brushing at home or by a vet, Stone notes.