Title: Dental caries (non-human)

{{Short description|Tooth decay in animals}}
{{About|dental caries in non-humans|dental caries in humans|Dental caries}}
[[File:K9teeth00345 edited.JPG|thumb|Dental caries infestation in a dog]]
'''Dental caries''', also known as '''tooth decay''', is uncommon among companion animals.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite web|title=AVDS Cavities information page&amp;nbsp;— Dog Tooth Health&amp;nbsp;— Cat Tooth Health|url=http://www.avds-online.org/info/cavities.html|publisher=American Veterinary Dental Society|accessdate=10 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013002204/http://www.avds-online.org/info/cavities.html|archivedate=13 October 2006}}&lt;/ref&gt; The bacteria ''[[Streptococcus mutans]]'' and ''[[Streptococcus sanguis]]'' cause dental caries by metabolising sugars.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite web|title=Dental Caries|url=http://en.wikivet.net/Dental_Caries|work=WikiVet|accessdate=20 November 2013}}&lt;/ref&gt;  Prehistoric primates eating fruit suffered from cavities.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite news |last1=Dvorsky |first1=George |title=Scientists Discover Oldest Cavities Ever in Mammals |url=https://gizmodo.com/scientists-discover-oldest-cavities-ever-in-mammals-1847642591 |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=Gizmodo |publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]] |date=9 September 2021}}&lt;/ref&gt;

The term ''feline cavities'' is commonly used to refer to [[feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion]]s, however, saccharolytic acid-producing [[bacteria]] (the same responsible for [[Dental plaque]]) are not involved in this condition.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|title=Hintergrundinformationen Zahngesundheit beim Hund {{!}} Bundesverband für Tiergesundheit e.V.|url=https://www.bft-online.de/kleintiergesundheit/2010/zahngesundheit/hintergrundinformationen-zahngesundheit-beim-hund|access-date=2021-11-30|website=www.bft-online.de|language=de}}&lt;/ref&gt;

== In dogs ==
Although rarely seen in cats, the incidence of caries in dogs has been estimated at 5%.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite journal | last1 = Hale | first1 = FA | date = Jun 1998 | title = Dental caries in the dog | url = | journal = J Vet Dent. | volume = 15 | issue = 2| pages = 79–83 | pmid = 10597155 }}&lt;/ref&gt; Dogs are less likely than humans to have tooth decay due to the very high [[pH]] of dog saliva, which prevents an acidic environment from forming and the subsequent demineralization of enamel which would occur.&lt;ref&gt;Chris C. Pinney, The Illustrated Veterinary Guide for Dogs, Cats, Birds, and Exotic Pets (Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, 1992), p. 187.&lt;/ref&gt;

== Symptoms ==
Dental caries in dogs are often recognized very late but there are some symptoms that could indicate tooth decay.&lt;ref name=&quot;:0&quot;&gt;{{Cite web|last=Morgenegg|first=G.|title=Karies beim Hund|url=https://www.tierzahnarzt.ch/images/stories/pdf/interessantes/morgenegg_karies_beim_hund.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=30 November 2021|website=tierzahnarzt.ch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130170301/https://www.tierzahnarzt.ch/images/stories/pdf/interessantes/morgenegg_karies_beim_hund.pdf |archive-date=2021-11-30 }}&lt;/ref&gt; Red, swollen, or receding gums and bloody saliva could be symptoms of dental caries. Other signs of decay are similar to humans. This includes a discolouration of teeth, an accumulation of calculus and halitosis. One-sided chewing, increased scratching of the face and avoidance of solid food could also be signs of dental caries.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|date=4 August 2010|title=Ein Hund muss kräftig zubeissen können|url=https://www.bft-online.de/kleintiergesundheit/2010/zahngesundheit/hintergrundinformationen-zahngesundheit-beim-hund|url-status=live|access-date=30 November 2021|website=bft-online.de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130170300/https://www.bft-online.de/kleintiergesundheit/2010/zahngesundheit/hintergrundinformationen-zahngesundheit-beim-hund |archive-date=2021-11-30 }}&lt;/ref&gt;

== Reasons for dental caries ==
A main reason for dental caries in dogs is unfavourable shape or positioning of the teeth, as well as the intake of foods which contain sugar.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|title=Faktencheck: Karies bei Hunden|url=https://www.diehundezeitung.com/schmerzhafte-zaehne|access-date=30 November 2021|website=diehundezeitung.com |date=6 August 2019 }}&lt;/ref&gt;

It has been shown that some dogs are more susceptible to dental caries than others. Thus, it is likely dogs with caries are prone to additional tooth decay.&lt;ref name=&quot;:0&quot; /&gt;

== Formation of dental caries ==
The formation of dental caries in dogs can be divided into two stages:

The demineralisation of the inorganic part of the tooth is described as the first stage. Even though the jaw of the carnivore is a scissor-like shape that helps reduce food residue, dental caries are mainly caused by leftover sugar-containing food in small notches of the teeth or interdental space. In the long run, this can cause dissolution of the inorganic substance of the teeth. Within this process the [[dentin]] is the most susceptible and vulnerable part of the teeth which suffers the most damage. In severe cases the bacteria infest the enamel, which then need to be removed. The enamel layer in canine teeth is thinner than in humans (2–3&amp;nbsp;mm) at less than 0.6&amp;nbsp;mm.&lt;ref name=&quot;:0&quot; /&gt;

In the second phase, the dentin gets dissolved which causes a cavity in the enamel. Most cases of dental caries in dogs only get recognized in later stages because the decay is not obvious from the outside.&lt;ref name=&quot;:0&quot; /&gt;

== Treatment options ==
If a tooth is infected by dental caries there are two main treatment options. Teeth with dental caries get extracted in most veterinary clinics. A second option is specialized vets that can save teeth from an extraction. If there remains enough enamel the tooth can be repaired. In the case of decay to the tooth pulp, a root canal treatment is needed.&lt;ref name=&quot;:0&quot; /&gt;

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Dog diseases]]
[[Category:Acquired tooth disorders]]