Dogs are prone to periodontal disease which involves inflammation of the gums and the loss of the supporting structures of the teeth. Dog gum disease develops due to the accumulation of food particles around the gum line which leads to the formation of plaque. If the plaque is not periodically removed, the minerals in the dog’s saliva combine with it to form tartar and which sticks close to the teeth.
Within 3-5 days after its formation, plaque has a tendency to mineralize and the tartar irritates the gums causing an inflammation and the condition is known as gingivitis. This is symptomised by a reddening of the gums, sensitive gums that bleed easily, pawing at the mouth region, missing or loose teeth, drooling, loss of appetite, intestinal or stomach upsets, difficulty in eating and general depression accompanied by foul breath. if the tartar or calculus as it is sometimes referred to is not removed, it builds up underneath the gums and forms pockets by separating the teeth from the gums.
If the disease is allowed to develop this far, the damage is irreversible as it encourages more bacterial growth. Periodontal disease is extremely painful and can lead to loss of teeth, abscesses, infection and bone loss.
There are several factors which lead to the formation of plaque, calculus and finally periodontal disease and these include age and general health, chewing behavior and diet, tooth alignment, the particular breed, genetics, home care, mouth environment and grooming habits. This disease affects older animals rather than younger ones. Studies prove that hard kibbles are much better than canned food to avoid plaque and if the dog is given edible dental chews or non-hazardous toys to chew, it may remove plaque build up to some extent. Small breeds are more susceptible to this condition as their teeth are usually crowded together and the usual cleansing mechanisms are hindered. The best preventive measure of this condition would be to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Use a soft finger brush for the first few months and then progress to one which has harder bristles. They must also be given enough water to drink. Dogs that breathe through their mouth tend to develop plaque more easily as oral cavity gets dehydrated. Once the disease develops, it may require surgery and instead of putting the dog through all that pain, certain precautionary measures can be taken. These include daily oral care, regular visits to the veterinarian and veterinary dental cleaning.
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