Carious lesions, or “cavities”, like those seen in humans are rare, but they do occur. Why?
Cavities are uncommon in dogs and cats for several reasons:
- Difference in tooth shape, people have mostly occlusal teeth and dogs/cats have scissor bite with only a few occlusal areas.
- The pH of the saliva is more alkaline in animals and more acidic in people. Bacteria are different due to the pH levels.
- Animals rarely eat a diet rich in carbohydrates (sugars).
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Caries
What breeds may be predisposed?
Dachshunds, Poodles, French bull dogs, Shit Tzu, Pugs
Where can cavities occur?
Most common location for caries defects in dogs and cats are on occlusal surface teeth which would be 4th maxillary premolar distal edge, maxillary molars and mandibular 1st molar teeth.
What can make cavities more likely in my pet?
Feeding home cooked diets or treats which have high amounts of rich sugars such as bananas and carrots.
What if my pet has a cavity?
Treatment of your dog’s cavity will depend on the cavity’s severity. Intraoral dental x-rays allow the vet dentist to determine whether the pulp chamber is exposed and whether the tooth’s vitality is compromised.
Cavities that aren’t severe can usually be debrided and restored with a filling, which is like the fillings people get at the dentist. The affected areas of the tooth are drilled away, and the defect is filled.
Teeth with more severe lesions may need a root canal and restoration. In severe cases, extraction of the tooth is recommended. Dental surgery to repair a cavity or extract the tooth requires anesthesia and typically takes one hour or longer.
After dental surgery, your veterinarian will provide instructions to ensure the surgical site heals appropriately, if extraction was warranted due to the severity.