Teeth Trouble in Short-Faced Dogs

Pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, Pekingese -- these adorable, short-faced dogs are brachycephalic breeds. Brachycephalic comes from the Greek words ̶0;brachy̶1; meaning short and ̶0;cephalic̶1; meaning head. Along with the special grooming care brachycephalic breeds require, myriad dental issues come along with their unique facial anatomy.

  1. Crowded Teeth

    • Canines have 42 teeth. For breeds with elongated jaws and muzzles like German shepherds, these teeth have plenty of room to develop. Brachycephalic breeds, with their shortened jaws, have less room in their mouths but the same number of teeth, inevitably leading to overcrowding. To compensate, teeth grow in crooked, twisted and even nearly sideways. These oddly placed teeth create places for bacteria-laden plaque to accumulate. Some veterinarians recommend removing several teeth when brachycephalic puppies are young to prevent overcrowding. Discuss the best approach with your veterinarian.

    Retained Teeth

    • Retained teeth are primary or ̶0;baby̶1; teeth that remain in your dog̵7;s mouth after the permanent adult teeth have started to grow in. Common in brachycephalic breeds, teeth retention causes adult teeth to overcrowd and grow in at odd angles. Your veterinarian will need to extract retained primary teeth. In general, the earlier the detection and extraction the easier adult teeth will move into proper position.

    Teeth Misalignment

    • The veterinary world refers to canine teeth misalignment as malocclusion. Malocclusion is the result of an improper bite. Brachycephalic dogs have underbite or reverse scissor bite. It's considered normal for these breeds, but mouth injuries, soft-tissue defects and tongue problems, tooth fractures and abnormal tooth wear can occur as a result of severe underbite.

    Periodontal Disease

    • Brachycephalic breeds are at high risk for developing canine periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when plaque accumulates on your dog̵7;s teeth and hardens into tartar. Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, and periodontitis, loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth, occur as the disease progresses. Short-faced dogs with small, crowded mouths are almost guaranteed to develop dental disease unless you take precaution.

    Preventing Periodontal Disease

    • While you can̵7;t change your brachycephalic dog̵7;s genetics, you can help prevent periodontal disease. Start when he̵7;s a puppy, brushing your dog̵7;s teeth daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush or your finger wrapped in gauze, and toothpaste specially formulated for canines. Gently brush his teeth, making sure to reach the molars and gum line, and praise him while doing so. Yearly, in some cases twice yearly, dental checkups with a veterinarian are imperative for brachycephalic breeds. With regular exams, your vet will be able to catch dental problems before they turn into full-blown disaster.