An infected tooth in a dog's mouth is a serious condition that should not be ignored. This is especially true for the dachshund breed and its propensity for tooth decline in older years. It is up to you, the canine's human companion, to take action. Thinking about your own tooth pain and realizing that is what your canine friend is going through should be enough motivation.
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Check Regularly
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Dogs are experts at masking pain. In the wild, showing pain is a sign of weakness. Even though dogs are man's best domesticated friend, they still revert to primitive instincts when suffering. Unless you regularly check your dachshund's mouth, you very well may not know if any teeth are infected.
Symptoms of an Infected Tooth
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The symptoms of an infected tooth can include but are not necessarily limited to excessive bad breath, discoloration of the tooth, drooling, swelling of the face and/or jaw, swollen or red gums, chewing on one side of the mouth only and an unwillingness or even inability to eat.
Go See the Dentist
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If you suspect your dog has an infected tooth, your best bet is to take pooch to see a veterinarian with dentistry credentials. This is not cheap, ranging from $750 to $1,500 (prices as of January 2010) depending on the complexity of the infection and the amount of anesthesia the dog requires. But the reality is that an infected tooth will not heal on its own and the consequences of leaving this untreated can be dire.
Impact of Infection
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Most tooth infections result from mouth bacteria getting inside the endodontic system of a broken tooth. Dogs suffering from broken teeth is common, especially if they bite down too firmly on hard objects while playing. The bacteria eventually kill the tooth and then can leak out the bottom and into the jaw where it infects bone and eventually spreads to other parts of the body.
Veterinary Options
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Much like the human experience, dogs get root canals. The infected pulp inside the entire tooth is removed and the space is filled with an inert material that resists infection. The tooth is covered with a cap. This procedure is usually performed on broken teeth that are not immediately detected. A vital pulpotomy in which only the pulp above the gum line is removed is an option when a tooth fracture is fairly new. While veterinary dentists prefer to save a dog's tooth because of its importance in proper chewing, some teeth are too infected and must be extracted. In most cases, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent any further infection.
Keep Teeth Healthy
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Dogs experience a rapid accumulation of tartar. The best defense is daily brushing. The veterinary dentist can demonstrate the how-to. You can consider it some extra bonding time that will aid your relationship with your dog.
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