How can I tell if my dog has an abscessed tooth? Tips and Tricks

What is a Tooth Abscess?

You’ve probably heard the term “tooth abscess” in reference to human teeth. But it’s actually just as common in dogs. And it’s just as unpleasant.

A tooth abscess is an infection stemming in the root of the tooth. It’s essentially a pocket full of pus caused by bacteria. When a dog tooth abscess is left untreated, it causes pain, tenderness, inflammation, swelling, and other symptoms.

Causes of a Dog Tooth Abscess

Internal or external issues can lead to a dog tooth abscess, such as:

Poor oral hygiene. Believe it or not, you should brush your dog’s teeth and pay attention to his dental health on a regular basis. This will help in the prevention of tooth abscesses and other dental issues, such as gum disease.

Oral Trauma. If your dog has experienced trauma to the face or head, his teeth may suffer.

Chewing hard items, such as sticks or bones. This pressure can cause the tooth to crack or cut through the gums, making it vulnerable to invasive bacteria.

What are the symptoms of a dog tooth abscess?

Dogs with tooth root abscesses may have one or more of the following signs:

Swelling beneath the eye—the roots of the fourth upper premolar and first upper molar teeth (i.e. large chewing teeth that look like mountains in the upper jaw) lie right beneath the eye. An abscess of these roots can cause swelling beneath the eye and a swollen face. The abscess may burst and release pus. It can be easy to mistake this for a wound on your dog’s face.

Swelling under the chin or along the lower jaw—an abscess involving the roots of the lower premolar or molar teeth may cause a swelling along the lower jaw, which can burst and form a wound.

Red gums—an infection of the tooth causes inflammation and redness of the gums.

Bad breath—the bacteria involved in a tooth root abscess often cause a nasty odor to the breath.

Pain—signs can be subtle, but you may notice pawing at the face or chewing more on one side of the mouth than the other.

When to have dog infected abscessed tooth pulled?! Symptoms and treatment for infected dog tooth.

A thorough exam is performed including the evaluation of the face including the eyes, nose, and mouth. Attempts may be made to examine the mouth, but this may be too painful for your pet and may have to be performed under sedation. Often, a physical examination is all that is needed to diagnose tooth root abscessation. In some cases, additional diagnostics may be required and may include:

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the infection and treating the underlying dental problem. In mild cases, antibiotics and pain medications are usually started both orally, however definitive treatment includes a dental cleaning and care of the infected tooth which may include extraction or endodontic treatment (total pulpectomy and root canal filling). Endodontic treatment is generally treated in multiple appointments. Most dogs respond to treatment and improve in 48 to 72 hours.

If the signs are severe or worsen, dental cleaning and care may be treated as an emergency and performed within 24 to 72 hours following diagnosis. General anesthesia is needed for this procedure.

If your dog is painful and has a draining wound from the face, a veterinary examination is recommended immediately. Once a dental abscess is diagnosed and treatment has been started, all medications must be continued at home exactly as prescribed. Such medications may include topical antibiotics or local wound care, oral antibiotics, and oral pain medications.

Your veterinarian may also ask you to apply warm, wet compresses to the wound three to four times per day for several days to reduce swelling and encourage drainage. Offer soft foods to help your pet eat until the swelling and pain have diminished.

To reduce the risk of tooth root abscessation discuss the best dental care plan for your dog with your veterinarian. Daily tooth brushing and periodic dental cleaning may be the best prevention strategy.

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