Without regular dental care, your dog can suffer from bad breath, tartar, gum disease, or rotting teeth. Dogs can also develop cavities, which are areas of tooth decay that occur when bacteria build up in your pup’s mouth. Cavities could be to blame if your dog shows signs of mouth pain, such as drooling, dropping food, or reluctance to eat.

Depending on the severity and where you live in the U.S., dental treatment can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. In this article, you’ll learn what it takes to treat this dental problem and how much dog cavity treatment will cost this year.

The Importance of Dog Cavity Treatment

Unlike in humans, cavities are not a common dental problem in dogs. Your dog may never develop a cavity, especially if you’re diligent about preventative dental care. The shape of a dog’s teeth and diets that contain less sugar or acid than people’s make it harder for them to develop cavities.

If your dog does develop a cavity, it’s essential to have it treated as soon as possible. Cavities can be very painful, and the decaying area of the tooth can be a source of bacteria that spreads throughout the dog’s body. The earlier you can catch the cavity, the more successful and less expensive the treatment will be.

How Much Does Professional Dog Cavity Treatment Cost?

If your dog develops a cavity, the type and cost of treatment will depend on how advanced the tooth decay is. In the early stages, your vet may be able to treat the cavity at their office.

If your dog needs a filling or a root canal, you’ll likely need a referral to a veterinary dentist, which will significantly increase the cost of care. Severe cavities may require your dog to have the tooth extracted completely.

Another factor that will impact the cost of dog cavity treatment is your dog’s size because medications and anesthesia are dosed based on weight. Veterinary costs tend to be consistent with your area’s average cost of living.

For example, if you live in Los Angeles versus Des Moines, Iowa, you can expect to pay more for dog cavity treatment. The following chart will give you an idea of the average cost of several ways to treat dog cavities in different regions of the country.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

Depending on where you live, you may need to travel to visit a veterinary dentist. Additional costs can include gas, food, lodging, and other travel expenses. You should also be prepared for your vet to discover additional problems in your dog’s mouth once they are under anesthesia for the procedure.

Other costs might include recheck exams and lifestyle changes such as changing to a dental health prescription diet. Depending on your dog’s age, the dentist may request blood work or X-rays to assess their overall health before the procedure.

How Long Does Dog Cavity Treatment Take?

Most dog cavity treatment and other dental procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Typically, you’ll drop your dog off first thing in the morning and pick them up again at the end of the day.

Specific pickup times depend on how quickly your dog recovers, how long the procedure takes, and even when the dentist performs the treatment during the day. In some cases, the veterinary dentist may recommend your dog stay overnight to receive fluids or pain injections to aid their recovery.

Some facilities offer the option of dropping your pet off the night before the dental procedure for your convenience.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Cavity Treatment?

Depending on what type of dog cavity treatment your pet needs, insurance may cover some of it. Pet insurance plans vary widely when it comes to the type of dental care they cover, and it’s vital to read the fine print carefully.

Preventative cleanings are frequently only covered if you buy a pet wellness add-on. Many pet insurance plans only cover dental surgery if it’s required due to an accident. Less common dog cavity treatments like fillings or root canals often won’t be covered.

You’ll also want to ensure your pet’s bad teeth aren’t considered an inherited or pre-existing condition when shopping for pet insurance.

What to Do for Your Dog’s Teeth After Cavity Treatment

Your vet or the veterinary dentist will likely have detailed suggestions for managing your dog’s oral health after cavity treatment. Immediately after the treatment, your pet may need to eat soft food and take medications like antibiotics.

Once their mouth has healed, you can expect long-term changes to your dog’s lifestyle. For example, you may need to be careful to avoid trauma to your dog’s teeth by skipping hard chew toys or tug games. Daily brushing and other preventative dental care will help maintain your dog’s teeth and hopefully prevent future cavities.

Final Thoughts

Although cavities are rare in dogs, cavity treatment can be expensive and complicated. The best option is to prevent cavities by keeping your dog on a regular dental care routine. Feed your dog a quality diet and avoid acidic or sugary treats, too.

It’s vital not to skip your dog’s annual physical exam. Your vet will assess your dog’s teeth during this visit and help you catch cavities and other dental issues early.

• See also: Are Greenies Good for Dogs? Vet-Approved Nutrition Guide

Featured Image Credit: Yavdat, Shutterstock