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Recent Blog:
National Oral Health Day on the first Friday of every November isn’t just for humans – it’s for pets too! We all have teeth and we want them to last. On the topic of dog dental health, you may have heard about dog braces from your veterinary dentist. Just like people can benefit from having their teeth aligned so can dogs.
For humans, braces can be cosmetic, but they’re often used to correct or prevent dental issues present or future. When it comes to dogs braces they’re all about dental wellness rather than cosmetics.
Let’s face it, no matter how health conscious we try to be none of us likes visiting the dentist. That goes for dogs too. Thankfully, both World and National Oral Health Day help us to remember that most of the legwork is in prevention. For some dogs this includes braces, so let’s have a closer look.
What are dog braces and why would my dog need them?
Dog braces are nothing new. Misalignment of teeth can wreak dental havoc in anyone’s mouth. Depending on the positioning and angle of a misaligned tooth/teeth they can be a food trap causing decay and gingivitis. Or they can put added stress and wear and tear on the other teeth and jaw because of a misaligned bite.
As anyone who’s had any dental issue knows firsthand, dental problems can cause your mouth, head and even sometimes your back to ache. Essentially, dental wellness is good for both your and your dog’s overall quality of life. For this reason, dog braces can be used as a preventative and curative measure.
A veterinary dentist may recommend dog braces to aid with orthodontic problems. This includes problems that cause discomfort and pain but even more serious dental problems that have the potential to be life threatening.
When will my veterinary dentist recommend dog braces?
There are several occasions your veterinary dentist may recommend dog braces, and because it’s National Oral Health Day we’re gonna clue you up. Here are some examples:
| Name | What is it? | Why it’s a problem? | What’s the ideal? |
| Malocclusion | Misaligned bite | It can be uncomfortable or painful to chew/eat, cause tartar and calculus build up and cause damage to teeth and soft tissues. | The ideal bite (in humans and dogs) is like a “scissor bite”, where the top incisors overlap the bottom ones but still touch gently. |
| Linguoversion | Teeth dip toward the tongue | Inward angled teeth can be uncomfortable, painful and knock too hard against the teeth they come into contact with. They can also rub on the mouth roof, even causing holes that lead to chronic sinus infections. | In the correct vertical position, teeth touch one another with the right amount of force and help one another remain well positioned. |
| Dental crowding | Teeth compete for space in the mouth (sometimes adult teeth and milk teeth compete) | Crowded teeth are a type of malocclusion and can trap bacteria leading to decay. The lack of space means teeth grow at awkward angles, preventing a well aligned bite. | Ideally the baby teeth fall out timeously to make way for the adult teeth. |
| Mesioversion (lance canines) | Upper canines jut outward | This can cause other teeth to move out of position, damage the palate and lead to tooth-on-tooth wear and tear. | The canines should grow at their correct vertical angle so the surrounding teeth and soft / hard tissues aren’t knocked, misplaced or damaged. |
More reasons for dog dental braces
Another reason your vet may recommend braces for your dog is an overbite or underbite. Sometimes this happens when a dog’s lower jaw or upper jaw is too long or short for the other, so they don’t meet properly.
In serious cases where dogs have jawbone removed (this can be caused by cancer) your vet dentist will very likely recommend doggy dental braces.
A veterinary dentist will consider your dog’s overall dental health, helping you plan for their present and future dental health.
How do I know if my pup needs dog dental braces?
Seeing as it’s New Zealand’s National Oral Health Day we’re answering another important question… When can you tell if your dog needs dental braces? Usually this becomes apparent when dogs are between four months and half a year old because that’s when their adult teeth start to arrive.
Ideally your vet dentist will be able to identify any oral health issues very early on. Around this age you’ll likely already have a vet visit scheduled for vaccinations and other puppy health care milestones. It’s a good idea to have a discussion with your vet about your dog’s teeth at this visit.
Signs to look out for that could indicate your fur baby needs braces are:
- Dropping food
- Not chewing properly
- Dislikes you touching their head and/or mouth
- Has visibly protruding teeth (one or more)
Many of us are sceptical about dental treatments and solutions, often because some don’t remove the problem but simply slow it down. It’s worth noting that even slowing down a dental health problem can prevent many other serious knock-on health conditions.
Depending on the type and severity of a dog dental health condition, your vet may offer you other possible treatments too. It’s worth knowing what these are and doing some research before diving in. Talk to your veterinary dentist about what each solution comprises not only before and during, but also long after.
Fitting doggy dental braces
Dog braces are an extensive procedure that can last between six months to a year. While people do lots of things for cosmetic reasons, there’s only one good reason a veterinary dentist will recommend dog braces – for health considerations.
To have braces placed, dogs need to be under anaesthesia. Because anaesthesia is taxing on your dog’s vitals, your vet dentist first assesses its overall age, health and fitness to decide whether it’s an appropriate procedure. Once that’s given the green light, your pup will go under to have its dog brace plates and bands fitted. During the same vet visit, your dog will more than likely also have a dental X-ray and a teeth clean.
Check out this video of Wesley the Golden Retriever that got instant internet fame when his pet parent posted a snap of him in his doggy braces:
Dog dental health for National Oral Health Day
To celebrate National Oral Health Day, we’ve outlined some simple cornerstones of good dog dental health:
- You are what you eat. A good diet may sound simple and not all that important but a nutritious and well balanced diet can truly be a game changer for dental health. Dogs’ bones grow at rapidly different paces during different growth stages and so do their teeth. The right amounts of vitamins, minerals and energy at the right times can help prevent dental problems and musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia in dogs.
- Keeping things squeaky clean. There’s always bacteria in the mouth and much of our bodies are made up of the stuff. In essence many types of bacteria aren’t harmful and can be good for your dog/you. But these same bacteria can become harmful when they have population explosions. The simple solution is keeping them in check by brushing your dog’s teeth. Read our guide to dog teeth cleaning made simple.
- Prevention is better than cure. Dogs have shorter lifespans than us humans, so don’t skip your dog’s annual vet dentist check-up because it’s a crucial part of warding off unwanted decay and infection
- Early treatment is less painful. If your dog’s veterinary dentist picks up any doggy dental issues, fixing them sooner will likely be cheaper for you and less painful for your dog. Better yet, our Deluxe dog insurance plan covers most dental treatments for a happy smile!
Different breeds’ need for dog dental health
Whether you’re buying a purebred dog or bringing home an adopted dog of mixed breeds, dental health is important for them. It’s worth knowing that although some oral health complications are developmental, many are hereditary. In other words, certain breeds are likelier to have dental health conditions than others.
It’s always a good idea to do homework to find out what the needs of your breed are ahead of time. This helps you plan their road to health and know which pet insurance plan is best for them and you. Now that you know about dog braces, up your knowledge on the difference between hereditary and congenital conditions in dogs.
Pet dental insurance
In New Zealand 70% of pets over the age of three suffer from dental diseases. That’s nothing to sneeze at and, thankfully, there’s no need to with pet dental cover.
PD Insurance’s Deluxe dog insurance plan includes covers treatment for a range of dental conditions. For example, tooth removal to combat overcrowding from baby teeth, gum disease, and abscesses.
Start today and you’ll get one or months of FREE pet insurance. Click below to get a quote.
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