Keep Your Dachshund’s Dental Hygiene Healthy
Keeping Your Dachshund’s Teeth Healthy With Care, Dachshund Dentals & Cleanings
Have you ever had a toothache? How long did it last? It’s miserable! Imagine your dachshund living with tooth pain for weeks, months or years. Without regular dental care this can be what your dachshund is going through, but can’t tell you about. Tartar can really build up and regular dental visits (not necessarily yearly) are needed to keep this at bay. When dachshund dental cleanings and dentals are bypassed year after year, tarter builds up pretty thick over teeth and into gums; decay and other problems like abscesses can can develop.This photo shows tooth decay due to lack of dental care.
Dental Care for Rescued Dachshunds
While a rescued dachshund is in the care of their foster family, they go to the vet for a “well-dog” check up and at that time the vet will decide if they need an appointment for a dental visit. Older rescued dachshunds often need a dental appointment after they are surrendered. Sometimes seniors are brought into rescues with problems like tooth decay, tarter and may even need some teeth extracted. Here’s how to set up a dental for your dachshund and what a dental appointment may include:
- A well check up at the vet allows the vet to check your dogs teeth, gums, and recommend a dental if one is needed
- The dental is a procedure that requires dogs to be sedated and is a lot like a human dental appointment. Tarter is scraped off, a oronasal fistula may be assessed and closed, decay may require an extraction, and infection or an absess can be treated
- An x-ray may be used during the procedure
- When the dog wakes up from a dental it may take them a few hours to get back to normal
- Their mouth may be extra sore for a day or two as they’re first healing depending on how extensive the dental procedure is
- A soft diet may be needed for the first meal or two after a dental, so that crunchy kibble or treats won’t cause bleeding or further pain
Sometimes the vet my prescribe antibiotics to fight infection, or pain medicine - Tooth extraction(s)
- A dental at the vet is a big thing for a dog! They get knocked out for the procedure. RMDR has compiled some dental care DIY how-to’s for caring for their teeth with your groomer’s help and at home. The hope is that taking action, brushing their teeth, etc. can make their dental visits easier on them.
Photo: Oronasal fistula (connecting mouth and nose)
*Note: this article and generalized list was created by a layperson, always talk to your vet for complete information about dachshund/dog dentals and creating a dental care plan for your pet.
Prepare for your Dachshund’s Dental Visit With 7 DIY Dog Tooth Care Ideas
- While at the groomer, ask them if they will brush your dog’s teeth too; as part of their grooming appointments
- Brushing their teeth regularly like you brush your own is a thing. There are toothbrushes with soft bristles and smaller heads, toothbrushes that fit on your finger, etc.
- There are no-brush toothpaste/toothbrushing options. Consider an enzymatic toothpaste, follow directions on all toothpaste for amounts
- Consider crunchy dog-friendly vegetables (Give small pieces and make sure they crunch them up and don’t swallow them whole!)
- Consider brushing their teeth at home. Ask your groomer and vet technician for help getting started! Gently and carefully introduce a small, dog toothbrush (soft bristles)
- Chews like hard yak cheese can help scrape tartar and remove food from their teeth and gums
- Schedule dentals with your vet (ask your vet to check their teeth at their well dog visit, and to tell you when they need a dental) Be your dog’s advocate!
Photo shows thick tarter on dachshunds teeth before a dental cleaning (and extractions as needed based on x-rays).
REFERENCES
“Pet Dental Care”, mycharlottevet.com, Carmel Road Animal Hospital, 2020
Bellows, Jan, DVM DAVDC, “Periodontal disease in Dogs and Cats”, veterinarypartner.vin.com, Veterinary Information Network, 2016
Reiter, Alexander M., DT DVM DAVDC, “Periodontal Disease in small animals”, merckvetmanual.com, University of Pennsylvania, 2014
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