The mouth, also referred to as the oral cavity is a very important tool in the digestive system of dogs. When a dog chews its food, it is broken down into smaller pieces where enzymes in the stomach and small intestines can digest it. This is why teeth are a crucial element in a dogs digestive process. A dogs front teeth and tongue allow him/her to pick up food while the back teeth function to grind the food into smaller particles.

Adult dogs have 42 teeth. These consist of the incisors and canine teeth in the front of the mouth, and the premolars and molars in the back of the mouth. Each tooth has a visible part that is above the gums and part that cannot be seen that is below the gums. The part above the gums is called the crown and the part below the gums is called the root of the tooth. The crown is covered by enamel, one of the strongest substances in the body. Underneath the enamel is dentin, which makes up most of the tooth, and pulp which contains the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.

The gingiva is the tissue that surrounds the tooth at the gum line and is tightly attached to the jawbone just underneath. The root of a dogs tooth is attached to the jawbone as well. Sometimes, a tooth can have one root or several.

What are the Reasons for Plaque, Tartar and Gingivitis?

Just like humans, when a dog eats, saliva, food and bacteria stick to the teeth. This is perfectly normal and referred to as plaque. Just as we remove this by brushing, so we must do for our dogs. If this plaque is not removed, it can accumulate, eventually causing irritation of the gums. Toxins are released from the bacteria in plaque which can then lead to inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is also referred to as Gingivitis.

If plaque is allowed to sit on the teeth for a lengthy period of time, it becomes hardened and referred to as tartar or calculus. Tartar allows for more bacteria and debris to accumulate causing the inflammation to increase. Once this occurs, the gum line begins to recede and the bacteria begins to attack the jawbone. Once there, the tooth will become loose and eventually fall out. Contrary to popular belief, tartar can be seen above the gum line, but can also occur below.

A veterinarian with many years of experience, Heather Fox has a great passion for writing and sharing her knowledge. You can find her articles about Dog Illness Diagnosis and Symptoms of Dog Dental Disease on Clivir.com.

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