Did you know…..
The #1 sign of gum disease in dogs is bad breath?
According the American Animal Health Association, a stinky mouth is one of the very first signs of periodontal disease in dogs.
Why Does Periodontal Disease Matter to My Dog?
Don’t all dogs just have bad breath?
No! Contrary to popular belief, it is not normal for dogs to have stinky puppy breath. That foul odor is caused by bacteria in the dog’s mouth- bacteria that breeds and thrives in the moist, warm environment of your dog’s body. Bacterial infections often lead to pain, tooth loss, and serious medical conditions for dogs if left untreated.
Just like in humans, the health of your dog’s mouth is vital to the health of his entire body.
Periodontal disease can lead to:
Heart disease/ heart failure
Kidney disease/ kidney failure
Paralysis
Dental pain
Tooth loss
Dental abscesses
Liver disease/ liver failure
Septic infections
Inflammation
Autoimmune disorders
Premature death
Gum disease is so much more than just stinky breath!
What is Gum Disease in Dogs
Gum disease in dogs occurs when bacteria in the mouth thrive and attack the gums. This results in shrinking of the gum that exposes the root of the tooth. Root exposure is very painful for your fur baby and a dog will often display this pain with a decreased appetite, grouchy attitude, and by withdrawing to a quiet place where he can be alone. He may lick obsessively at a paw or hindquarter, or whimper and growl when anyone attempts to examine his mouth.
Bacteria also lead to dental cavities which require tooth extraction and often creates longterm dental pain in dogs as well as eating problems. If you’ve ever had a cavity or a tooth pulled, you can relate.
What Causes Gum Disease in Dogs?
Gum disease is so common in our dogs mainly because of the diet we feed them. All those carbohydrates, sugars, starches, and additives create a sticky paste in your dog’s mouth that clings to the teeth and provides an ideal environment for the bacteria that cause gum disease. Tartar and plaque buildup further complicates the problem and contribute to a favorable environment for bad bacteria.
Plus, not many pet parents are diligent about making regular oral hygiene a priority. They often cite a dog’s resistance to mouth care as the primary reason to skip brushing.
But dental hygiene is critical for your dog’s good health. Bacterial overgrowth is known to travel to other parts of the body beyond the mouth, resulting in serious medical conditions, infections, and even death.
Plus, that bacterial overgrowth can adversely affect your dog’s natural ability to digest his food properly because of enzyme imbalances in the stomach, tooth pain, tooth loss, and other illness that occur as a direct result of gum disease. Your dog may lose weight, have difficulty eating, or become a flatulence machine that no one wants to sit near when his digestion is impaired. (To help correct enzyme balances in your dog’s digestive system, try PROTECT ME probiotics for dogs.)
How to Treat Gum Disease
Often, dogs with gum disease visit the veterinarian and are recommended a course of antibiotics (like Clindamycin) and a dental cleaning and/or tooth extraction.
This can be problematic for several reasons:
Antibiotics are not tolerated well by many dogs and can create a storm of yeast overgrowth and digestive enzyme imbalances that result in diarrhea, poor digestion, chronic flatulence, indigestion, loss of appetite, and poor nutrient absorption.
Dental cleanings and procedures require a dog to be put under anesthesia, which can be problematic for some dogs due to common complications related to thier breed. Dog breeds that are particularly prone to anesthesia-related problems are: pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers, greyhound, whippet, Italian greyhound, borzoi, Irish wolfhound, saluki, border collie, collie, Australian shepherd, sheltie, Newfoundland, great pyrenees, doberman, and all toy breed dogs. And of course, senior dogs have special risks when undergoing anesthesia as well.
The cost of dental procedures can be very expensive for pet parents.
Damage from advanced gum disease cannot be “cured”. You can only treat the symptoms and prevent future infection. The damage caused by gum disease is permanent.
For these reasons, prevention truly is the best course of action.
How to Prevent Gum Disease in Dogs
Prevention can start at any age. Even though the damage from gum disease is permanent, treatment can limit and prevent further damage.
Ideally, it’s best to start with dental hygiene the day your puppy starts eating solid food. Starting a grooming routine early on will help your puppy learn that hygiene is a good thing and will limit the resistance you experience later on. But even adult and senior dogs can be trained to tolerate dental care if you help them create positive associations with the act of dental care. Lots of healthy treats, praise, and a positive attitude on your part will go a long way toward helping your dog learn to love his doggie dental care (or at least not hate it).
There are many doggie dental care products on the market from tooth wipes to sprays and toothpastes. Just be sure you research how to care for your dog’s teeth and don’t use “people” products on your dog. Like a toddler, he will swallow the toothpaste if used. Using products designed specifically for dogs is usually best.
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You can opt for self-serve products like Orapup’s Orabrush for pets. Simply squeeze a little flavored gel onto the brush and let your dog lick it clean. The ingredients in the gel help fight plaque and the brush cleans your dog’s tongue as he licks.
More Doggie Dental Care Options
Dental sprays, like SPRAY ME, are very popular (especially for cats and skittish dogs) because they are quick and easy to use. Just a couple of sprays to the gum line and you’re done. Just be sure to take away your dog’s water for 30 minutes afterward to allow the essential oils to soften the tartar on your dog’s teeth and kill off bacteria in his mouth.
You can also use a dental gel that allows you to rub the product on your dog’s gums, or use a washcloth to gently scrub his teeth and gums to help remove more buildup faster. GEL ME contains the same essential oils as SPRAY ME, just in a convenient gel form.
Preventing gum disease starts with changing your dog’s diet. Dogs are not naturally inclined to eat grains, starches, and sugary foods. Yet these ingredients make up the majority of our dogs’ diets today. A dog’s body is designed to eat meat, bones, and organ meats of prey animals. They “can” eat other food to survive when prey is scarce, but it’s not their primary source of nutrition in nature. Try switching your dog to a raw meat-based diet like FEED ME for optimal nutrition without the grains and fillers.
The act of eating meat, with natural striations to naturally brush teeth, and crunching on bones to get to the marrow scrapes any residual tartar off a dog’s teeth in the wild. Domestic dogs, however, need a little help in this department.
Limit his consumption of grains, starches, and sugars by feeding him a meat-based raw diet for dogs
Help him out with his dental hygiene by gently rubbing his teeth with a washcloth and using a dental product designed for dogs, like GEL ME dental gel for pets.
The post What You Need to Know About Gum Disease and Your Dog appeared first on TruDog®.