Efficacy of Tooth Removal in Dogs
By extracting the entirety of the affected tooth, surgical removal of a dogs tooth will usually eliminate the problem altogether (although antibiotics will be required in the event of infection). Whilst other teeth may be at risk of developing similar problems (especially if the dog has poor dental health in general), the vet will almost certainly go over some preventative options with the owner.
Following surgery, the dog will require a regular dosage of painkillers due to the fact that several nerve endings will have been severed during the procedure. Furthermore, owners should monitor their dog over the next few weeks to make sure that they are recovering properly. Warning signs include wincing and continued bleeding (caused by the wound opening up again), as well as facial swelling (which may be indicative of an infection). There will be a couple of follow-up visits required in order for the vet to check that the incision is healing properly. Sutures should dissolve with time and the vet will check to ensure this has happened.. All told, the healing process should take approximately two weeks to complete.
Dog Tooth Extraction Recovery Time and Aftercare
Recovery and aftercare should be relatively easy to handle. “There will be absorbable sutures in the dogs mouth that need to be protected. Soft food for 10–14 days, avoiding rough play, and limiting access to chew toys are usually all thats required,” Woodward says. “Pain medication is generally given for a few days after the procedure, and occasionally antibiotics are dispensed.”
Senior dogs, he points out, might require a little more attention post-operatively than younger dogs to make sure their food and water intake is adequate. Younger pets usually look normal a few hours after a dental procedure.
In order to prevent having to get another one of your dogs teeth pulled in the future, make sure to brush their teeth regularly, try giving them teeth cleaning toys to chew on (after their mouth is fully healed), and take your pup to the vet to get their teeth professionally cleaned several times a year.
#1: When are dog teeth extractions necessary?
If your dog has a tooth that’s infected or the pulp is exposed, your dog is in pain and likely needs a tooth extraction.
When our veterinarians clean your dog’s teeth, we check for damaged teeth and “pockets” — much like a dentist does with people.
We also run digital x-rays to see what your dog’s teeth look like underneath the gum line.
How to pull a Dog’s Tooth Out (NOT a Guide)
If your dog has dental disease, their veterinarian may recommend a complete oral health evaluation under anesthesia. Because your pet will be asleep, your vet can more easily evaluate the full extent of your dog’s oral cavity health and determine the care that’s needed, which may include tooth extractions.