A dog mouth cyst is like a lump or a bump in the mouth. It can affect the gums, teeth, or lips of the dog. In fact, as dogs get older, they become prone to all sorts of dental issues, such as an oral cyst. Most vets avoid calling a lump in the mouth a tumor except if the mass has been determined to be a type of cancer. Keep reading to learn more about oral cysts in dogs, the symptoms and causes, as well as the possible treatment options.
Oral Cysts in Dogs
Canine oral growths come in various forms and can damage any area in your dog’s mouth. In fact, they usually grow in premolar teeth, though any tooth and mouth area can be affected. 
Suppose a cyst on a premolar tooth grows adequately huge. Then, it can appear as a blueish swelling of the gums.
Moreover, some oral tumors can influence the teeth and bone in the face and mouth. So, if your dog has an oral tumor, your vet will probably suggest putting your pet under general anesthesia. So they can perform a thorough oral exam and dental radiographs.
Different Kinds of Oral Growths in Dog
Papillomas: These are warts that occur because of the papillomavirus. Papillomas are benign yet very contagious and can appear on the dog’s face, lips, and inside the mouth.
Epulis: This oral growth usually develops on the gum tissue around a tooth.
Gingival Hyperplasia: This is a benign overgrowth of gum tissue that may appear a little bit similar to a tumor in some dogs.
Squamous cell carcinoma: This can occur as skin cancer or oral cancer that appears to be red or pink in color.
Malignant Melanoma: Most of these malignant tumors have a dark color, yet not all appear identical.
Symptoms of Oral Tumors in Dogs
Like humans, good oral health in dogs can improve overall health. If your dog has abnormal growth in the mouth, its body may encounter various issues. These include:
- Difficulty eating
- Facial swelling
- Bad breath
- Oral pain
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Discolored, irritated, or itchy skin
- Lameness or swelling affecting a bone
As the oral cyst grows over time, it can damage the tooth, bone, and gum tissue. Unfortunately, certain dog breeds are more vulnerable to dental problems such as this. Generally, small breeds and breeds with shorter muzzles suffer more from this condition more than others.
Causes of Dog Oral Cysts
The reason for mouth cysts relies upon the breed, as numerous dog breeds are genetically prone to getting these blisters. Regular oral checkup for a puppy’s missing tooth or missing teeth is necessary to ensure that none are embedded. And to get treatment if your dog has an unerupted tooth. Common causes incorporate:
- Genetics
- Dental crowding
- Embedded teeth
- Trauma to the jaw or mouth
Treatment of Oral Cyst in Dogs
Treating oral cysts in dogs may depend on the diagnosis. If the tumor is enormous and damage has happened, then the required treatment might be more complex. In any case, treatment options include:
Surgery
Surgical excision is the initial approach for treating cysts in the mouth of your dog. The vet will eliminate the cyst, including the entire lining. Then, they will clean the affected part to remove any 
debris or infection. After that, the cystic lining will be delivered to a lab for analysis by a veterinary pathologist to know if it is cancerous.
Root Canal
If the affected tooth is dead, the vet will perform a root canal treatment to keep the tooth intact. Tooth extraction in a dog is not always an ideal option since more harm to the jaw bone might happen during the procedure.
Grafting
If your dog has damaged bone in the mouth, the vet will utilize synthetic bone to replace the lost bone. Grafting will help strengthen the bone of the jaw. You can go to this link to see if this treatment is the best option. The veterinarian usually includes a bone grafting technique during the surgery. However, this is not always necessary, mainly if the oral cyst of your dog is diagnosed in its early stages.
Recovery of Oral Cyst in Dogs
Following surgery, the veterinarian will give guidelines on aftercare and management. Your dog may need to eat softer foods for a brief period, and make sure your dog drinks a lot of clean water every day. If there is an infection, the vet may prescribe an antibiotic and pain medication if they think the dog will need it for a couple of days. Also, you might have to keep an eye on your dog to ensure your dog is not pawing at his mouth to keep any sutures intact.
Regular appointments will be necessary to see the site’s healing. If any issues do happen, the veterinarian can diagnose and treat them early. Keep in mind that appointments right after the surgery are crucial to ensure your dog is healing properly.
Once your dog is completely healed, he can begin a typical, happy life again. Just make sure to maintain their teeth and gums healthy by daily cleaning their teeth and mouth and making sure they visit their vet regularly.
References:
Anesthesia and Your Dog.
https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-surgery-a-z/anesthesia-and-your-dog
When Do Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth and Stop Teething?
https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/puppy-teeth-everything-you-need-know
Bone Grafting.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/bone-grafting
