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Dog Gum Problems

Submitted by Michael Adams on May 17, 2010

Periodontal is derived from the words meaning ‘around the teeth’. When food particles or bacteria begin to collect along a person’s gum line it leads to the formation of plaque. When the plaque is removed the minerals that are found in the saliva then combine with this plaque to result in tartar formation.

This tartar sticks very strongly to the teeth and is difficult to remove. Tartar is known to irritate the dog’s gums and can lead to another condition called as gingivitis. This can be one of the very irritating dog gum disease.

It can lead to bad breath in the dog and also cause the gums that are near the teeth to get red. Excessive tartar build up can lead to the separation of the gums from the dogs teeth. It can then lead to the tooth decay, canine tooth abscess, tooth ache etc.

There are various reasons why these gum diseases can occur. Some of the many factors that are playing a role in the build up of plaque or tartar include the age of the dog. Some other factors are the dog’s general health, the diet that the dog is following and also the chewing behavior patterns of the dog. The breed of the dog, the genetics and even the tooth alignment of the dog are some other causes of the diseases. Grooming habits on the part of the owner and the dog teeth care also impact the gum and teeth. It has been found that dog gum diseases and other dog teeth related problems have been found to affect the older dogs more than the younger dogs. Research has found that eating of hard kibbles on the part of the dog is considered better than eating canned foods. Hard kibbles can prevent the build up of plaque on a dog’s teeth. Good dog teeth care taking the dog for regular check ups to help prevent any teeth related problems. It has been found that the smaller the breed the greater the chance of them suffering from some kind of periodontal disease. This is primarily because their teeth often end up being crowded together. Owners should regularly brush their pet’s teeth to prevent any accumulation of plaque or tartar. Sometimes the dog’s diet will need to be changed. Ensure that the dog is drinking plenty of water. If it shows any symptoms of tooth or gum trouble then take the dog to a vet immediately.

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