Gingivitis in dogs, or gum disease, together with periodontitis, forms one of the most common dog dental problems – periodontal disease. It affects 70 to 80% of U.S. pets. Though highly treatable, dog dental and cat dental health problems still remain prevalent among other health issues. This happens even despite the awareness of the importance of pet dental care. Thus it makes gingivitis in dogs the most widespread infection seen in veterinary world. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, about 80% of dogs and cats have symptoms of periodontal disease by the age of 3 years old. Gingivitis in dogs poses a hazard to a pet’s overall health as it may affect not only their mouth, but also spread to internal organs. That is why it is so important on the part of the owner to take timely measures to prevent gingivitis in dogs before it even begins to arise. A well-developed home dental care plan will help you reduce the risk of this disease. Learn more about what gingivitis in dogs is and how to prevent it.
Let’s take a look at the process of plaque and tartar formation on a dog’s teeth. This will make you understand better what it leads to and what gingivitis in dogs can result in. In the process of chewing food particles stick to the surface of the teeth. This light-yellow substance is called the plaque. After several chewing sessions there is a considerable accumulation of plaque on a dog’s teeth and gums. This creates a perfect place for harmful bacteria to flourish. If not removed, plaque gets much harder under the influence of salts of calcium contained in a dog’s saliva, which tend to mineralize with time. This leads to the formation of hard brownish tartar on the gum line, which is much more difficult to remove. As the reaction to its presence the gums become swollen and inflamed usually accompanied with bad breath. This is the first sign of gingivitis in dogs. Excessive drooling, food rejection due to the pain, swelling of the facial surface, and even sneezing should prompt you to apply for veterinary help immediately. Severe cases of gingivitis in dogs may lead to periodontittis. The latter in turn causes abscesses, bone loss with succeeding tooth loss. Together with the blood stream the bacteria can travel inside the body affecting the liver, kidneys or even heart. Thus, simple case of gingivitis in dogs can turn into a life-threatening issue. Some dog breeds, such as Poodles, as well as older and small dogs seem to develop canine gingivitis faster than others. They are badly in need of even more aggressive dental care. A characteristic feature of gingivitis in dogs cure is that the main part of it is its prevention. There are several ways how you can prevent gingivitis in dogs.
- If you are astonished at the idea of brushing your pet’s teeth, you shouldn’t. This is the most tried and sure method to protect their teeth from the formation of harmful plaque and tartar. Regular and thorough teeth cleaning will provide solid oral care and prevent gingivitis in dogs, as well as any other dental problem. Your pet’s teeth can be cleaned in 2 ways:
- Professional cleaning – is done at a vet clinic. The dog is put under general anesthesia for the entire cooperation of the pet. Prior to it, a complete physical exam may be performed. This includes a blood count together with serum biochemistry tests and urinalysis. If the health is normal, sedation or anesthesia follows. At modern clinics ultrasonic scaling is used. Cleaning the teeth above and below the gum line will eliminate calculus while tooth polishing will help arrest further gingivitis in dogs. To finish, the mouth is generally flushed with an anti-bacterial solution. If there is a necessity to strengthen the teeth, a fluoride treatment follows.
- Home teeth cleaning – the most easy and tried method to prevent gingivitis in dogs. Regular brushing your pet’s teeth with a dog toothbrush is a firm guarantee of proper oral hygiene and good health. A comfortable finger brush will make the process of cleaning much easier to you. And a tasty dog toothpaste will attract you pet and make him look forward to the next cleaning session. If you cannot cope with daily brushing, do it at least once in a few days. This will be a safe defense against gingivitis in dogs and other dental health issues.
- The natural process of chewing is also effective in preventing plaque from accumulation on a dog or cat’s teeth. Provide your dog with something to chew on. There are plenty of dog dental treats on the market. Consult your vet before choosing any. Try to avoid rawhide dental chews as well as cooked bones of any kind. Dental treats will satisfy your pet’s chewing needs and prevent gingivitis in dogs.
- If for any reason you haven’t succeeded with teeth brushing, try using dog teeth sprays or gels, which are applied directly to teeth. They consist of natural products. Propolis, grape and grapefruit seed extracts have been shown to work effectively in many areas including gingivitis in dogs and cats.
- Among some other miracle remedies for treating gingivitis in dogs are the following:
- Myrrh, calendula – soothes gum inflammation and promotes healing
- Arnica, chamonilla, hypericum – decreases pain after oral surgery or during puppy teething
- Echinacea, fragraria – effective for treating gingivitis in dogs.
- Vitamins C and E, a B complex with folic acid, lactoferrin, bioflavanoids and food formulations such as Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D will prevent gingivitis in dogs. Chlorhexidine rinse and a special product called Stomadhex will safely protect your pet’s mouth.
Gingivitis in dogs is a health issue which causes inflammation of gums and the surrounding tissues. If left untreated, gingivitis in dogs can develop into a more severe form with bad consequences. To escape it, follow all the advice described above. Provide your dog with solid dental care. You will then forget any problems associated with gingivitis in dogs.
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