LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Dog Mouth Health

I haven't heard of a connection between heartworms and weakened teeth, but if you suspect your son's dog could have heartworm, it would be best to have your vet take a blood sample for analysis. If the test results come back clear, it will be safe to put the dog on preventative so you won't have to worry about that issue.

As for those broken teeth, most dogs break them by chewing on inappropriate items like wire fencing, rocks, etc. So, have your son try to watch the dog to see if he can pinpoint what's going on. If the dog is chewing inappropriate items, your son may be able to catch his pet in the act and discourage him to prevent even more damage.

Sometimes the breaks are immediately apparent, but other times the fractures can be very fine and tend to weaken further over time. The problem intensifies when exposed pulp becomes infected. The infection can affect the jaw bone and even make its way into the bloodstream, heart and liver. For this reason, it's very important to have your vet look at this dog's teeth to determine what kind of treatment is needed.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info leads you to a solution. :) - posted by:Kelly

Yes, dogs do have four types of teeth:

• Incisors - These are the smaller teeth in the front of the jaw between the canines. They are designed to help dogs scrape meat away from bones.
• Canines - These are what many people refer to as a dog's fangs. Dogs use them to bite down and hang onto everything from food to toys and other objects.
• Premolars - These teeth are located just behind the canines. They are used for a majority of your dog's chewing.
• Molars - These teeth are located just behind the premolars. These teeth handle the heavy duty chewing required to break down bones and other extremely hard items.

If you'd like to learn more about dog teeth and how to care for them, be sure to check out our article, A Dog's Teeth. There's quite a bit more information there that I think you'll find useful. Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's condition. I can't be certain of what's going on, but it sounds as if your dog might have a bad gum infection that is causing him too much pain to eat. You mentioned the swelling on both sides of the jaw. Have you looked inside the mouth, and have you also noticed a bad odor? This is usually the case with a gum infection. That said, it could an infection of another nature that is working its way up into the gums.

Right now, the best thing you can do is have your vet take a look at your dog's mouth. If this is an infection, your dog will likely require antibiotics to get rid of it. The gums would also need to be cleaned out. If this isn't taken care of, the bacteria causing the infection have the opportunity to enter the bloodstream and colonize in the heart muscle. This could lead to heart problems and possible death. As you can see, it's best to find out what's going on as quickly as possible to get the right treatment and avoid bigger problems later on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the vet can set everything right again. Best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

I don't think you really have anything to worry about. At five months, many puppies are naturally shedding their baby teeth to make room for their permanent teeth. These baby teeth have very little root, so they come out quite easily. You may have noticed a slight amount of bleeding at the gum, but this is natural and subsides very quickly. You'll probably see the adult tooth begin to poke through very soon. You can help the teething process along by giving your puppy something suitable to chew like a Dog Kong puppy teether. You can find these chews at most pet supply stores, and they really are wonderful.

As a final thought, you do know where that screw is, don't you? The only concern would be whether your dog swallowed it while chewing on it because it could cause digestive problems that would make your dog very sick. If you still have the screw, no problem, but make sure it's tightened down so your dog won't wind up swallowing it.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a long and happy life with your pup. :) - posted by:Kelly

Unfortunately, it sounds like your dog really needs the help of a veterinary dentist. That brown coloration may be tartar build up, but the black is more likely decay. The real problem here is gum infection. The bacteria in your dog's gums is causing the bleeding. This gives the bacteria a way to enter you dog's bloodstream, and from there they can travel to your dog's heart and colonize. This can cause significant damage to the muscle, and this is why I recommend you consult a vet. Your dog will need antibiotics as well as a thorough cleaning and possibly some extractions.

Before the vet considers anesthetizing your senior pet, he will assess your dog's overall health, especially his heart. Although the situation carries some risk, I think it would be prudent to give it a try given the condition of your dog's mouth. You can share your concerns about putting your dog under with your vet, and he might offer alternative sedation that carries less risk such as a combination of valium and light anesthesia.

If all goes well, you'll want to begin brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis to prevent decay and gum disease from setting in again. You can do this with a soft tooth brush and warm water. Avoid people toothpaste because it's upsetting to a dog's stomach.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope the vet can help your dog regain his dental health. - posted by:Kelly