What to Do if Your Dog has a Tooth Abscess

If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to experience it, you know how painful a tooth abscess can be. It’s no different for animals. An abscess in your dog’s tooth or abscess in the mouth of a dog can lead to serious pain and discomfort. If left untreated, it can be the harbinger of serious complications. We explore this for Pet Dental Month…

It’s also important because abscesses were one of PD’s top 10 claims for pet insurance in 2021 – so this is a fairly common problem. Find out below how to spot an abscess early, what to do about it, and how to prevent one in future.

What causes an abscess in a dog’s tooth?

A tooth abscess is an infection that occurs in the tooth or in the surrounding tissue, such as in your dog’s gums or jaw bone. It’s typically caused by bacteria that gets into the tooth through a crack or cavity. Once inside, that bacteria begins to multiply and spread to the pulp of the tooth (the soft tissue inside) and surrounding tissues.

The infection causes inflammation and then forms an abscess, which is a pocket of pus that forms as your pup’s immune system tries to fight off the infection. The following things can cause this painful condition:

• Dental plaque and tartar buildup
• Tooth decay
• Trauma to the tooth
• Periodontal disease
• An underlying medical condition such as a compromised immune system
• Poor oral hygiene
• A diet that’s high in sugar and carbohydrates

In some cases, your dog could develop an abscess from a complication of a different dental issue, such as a broken tooth or a retained baby tooth.

What about an abscess in a dog’s mouth?

When it comes to an abscess in the mouth of a dog, this could be caused by trauma to the mouth such as a bite wound, an objects that’s lodged in your pup’s mouth such as a bone fragment or a piece of grass, or tumours or cysts in the mouth.

Whatever the cause, it’s nasty business. Let’s now look at how you know it’s something your dog is experiencing. Dogs not being able to talk and all.

How do I know it’s an abscess in my dog’s tooth?

There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate your dog has an abscess in their tooth. These include:

• Severe pain: You’ll see your pup is experiencing pain or discomfort, and they may be sensitive to touch around their mouth or face.
• Swelling: There may be visible swelling in their gums, jaw, or face.
• Drooling or difficulty eating: They may drool excessively or have difficulty eating due to the pain and discomfort caused by the abscess.
• Bad breath: Your pup’s breath may smell particularly bad due to the infection.
• Loss of appetite: They may stop eating or eat very little due to pain and discomfort.
• Fever: Your dog may have a fever due to the infection.
• Lethargy: They may be more tired than usual.

Remember that these signs may not be specific to an abscess and can happen due to other dental issues or illnesses.

What does treatment look like?

Treating your dog’s tooth abscess yourself isn’t possible. It’s a very painful condition and it’s not advisable if you’re not a medical professional. Schedule an urgent appointment with your vet, who will be able to give your pup the right care.

They’ll typically give your dog a combination of antibiotics to fight the infection. Depending on how severe it is, your pup may need surgery to remove the abscess. This may involve a root canal to remove the infected area of the tooth, or possibly the tooth will need to be pulled completely.

After the surgery, they’ll need to be kept on antibiotics for a few more days to ensure the infection is completely gone. Your vet will also provide pain medication.

If you’re having a tough time giving your dog a pill, check out this helpful video:

Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions on follow-up care such as additional antibiotics, oral rinses, or oral surgery. You may also need to keep your dog on a special diet for a certain period to aid in healing.

Can you prevent it?

Seeing as this can be a very painful and serious condition, it makes sense that you’ll want to prevent it BEFORE it happens. While it may not be possible to completely prevent a tooth abscess or abscess in the mouth of your dog, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk:

• Ensure your pup gets regular dental check-ups and cleanings to help prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar.

• Brush your dog’s teeth and gums on a regular basis. Our ‘Dog Teeth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene‘ guide will teach you how to do this.

• Ensure your dog has a good, balanced diet that’s low in sugar and carbohydrates.

• Avoid giving your dog hard objects to chew on, such as bones, as these can cause tooth fractures and other dental issues. If you’re wondering what bones can dogs eat, check out our piece on it. Also read our article about raw hide being dangerous for dogs at times.

Speaking of teeth, have you ever wondered whether dogs can get braces?

Insurance that covers dental?

With all this said, do you know whether YOUR pet insurance covers treatment for an abscess in your dog’s tooth? Well, we do! PD Insurance’s Deluxe dog insurance and cat insurance includes cover (up to the defined benefit limit) for:

• Abscesses
• Gingivitis
• Tooth removal where medically required for cavities, tooth fractures, dental disease as a result of infection, retained deciduous teeth

Note that pet dental insurance usually won’t cover cosmetic procedures or routine checks and cleaning.

Remember that the younger your pet is when you start cover, the less likely they’ll have any pre-existing conditions – which means you’ll enjoy broader coverage. That’s a win-win! Why not get a quote today?