What can I do for my dogs abscessed tooth at home?
While home prevention is always the best, there are no at-home remedies once a tooth becomes abscessed. Only a veterinarian can help your dog, cat, or any other pet that has an infected tooth, so get your pet in right away. Your veterinarian most likely prescribe an antibiotic and/or an anti-inflammatory medication.
What does an abscessed tooth look like in a dog?
If you look inside the dog’s mouth, there will often be swelling and redness on the gums around the affected tooth. If swelling and infection has extended behind the eye your pet may react with a painful response if you attempt to open his mouth.
What to do if your dog has a root abscess?
The extent of trauma to the crown of the tooth, pre-existing infection (bone destruction around the root), along with the overall periodontal health of the tooth will impact whether a recommendation is made for root canal treatment or extraction.
What causes an abscess on a canine tooth?
Out of the causes mentioned above, bacterial infections such as streptococcus, pseudomonas, and E. coli are the most common culprits of canine tooth abscess. Bacteria are either predominantly present in the root or reach it through the bloodstream.
What should I do if my dog has a tooth infection?
Once your vet diagnoses your dog with a tooth infection, you generally have two options for treatment. The simplest and most cost-effective way to fix a dog tooth infection is to pull the tooth — also known as extraction. This is done under anesthesia.
Why does a dog hide a tooth infection?
Even though a dog tooth infection is extremely painful, dogs are experts at hiding pain. They do this instinctually. A weak animal in the wild is a target for predators, so animals tend to mask any signs of pain, illness or injury. Even though your dog is a beloved pet and has nothing to fear in the safety of his home, these instincts run deep.
The extent of trauma to the crown of the tooth, pre-existing infection (bone destruction around the root), along with the overall periodontal health of the tooth will impact whether a recommendation is made for root canal treatment or extraction.
What kind of abscess is a lower canine tooth?
Any tooth can fracture, however the large upper and lower canine teeth, followed by the upper fourth premolar, are the most commonly broken teeth that develop a tooth root abscess. These are known as the carnassial or shearing teeth, so this type of abscess is aptly referred to as a carnassial tooth abscess.
What should I do if my dog has pus buildup on his teeth?
Once the pus buildup has reached the point where a veterinary must get involved. Veterinarians will complete dental cleaning and polishing, remove tartar buildup on the teeth and gum lines by using handheld and ultrasonic scalers). Root planing, subgingival curettage, and tooth extraction may be possibilities for the worst case scenarios.
How can you tell if your dog has an abscess tooth?
Abscessed teeth are very painful, but dogs may not show obvious signs of pain. Instead, your dog may be reluctant to chew on his toys or may pull away when his head is touched. An observant owner may notice that their dog is only eating or chewing on one side of the mouth or is dropping food when eating.