When you think of rotten dog teeth, you might imagine cavities and tooth decay. And that’s normal: cavities are a common dental concern for us humans. But dogs actually rarely suffer from cavities. Instead, you need to be on guard periodontal disease, a common issue for many pets. Periodontal disease can have serious consequences for your dog’s overall health and quality of life. Learn how to spot the signs of periodontal disease and what you can do to keep your dog’s teeth in tip-top shape.
What is periodontal disease in dogs?
Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding your dog’s teeth. These tissues, known as the periodontium, include the gums and the upper and lower parts of the jawbones that contain the sockets for the teeth. The earliest stage of the disease is gingivitis, when the gums (also known as gums) are affected. From there, it travels deeper into the tissues until it hits the bone. When the disease is advanced enough, the tooth will completely lose its attachment to its socket causing the tooth to loosen or fall out.
Periodontal disease is incredibly common in dogs. Up to 90 percent of dogs over the age of two have some level of the disease. Yes, according to Dr Maria M. Soltero-Riveraboard certified veterinary dentist and Assistant Professor of Dentistry and Oral Surgery at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, periodontal disease is extremely common in dogs. “It’s the most common disease we see,” says Dr. Soltero-Rivera.
What causes periodontal disease in dogs?
The cause of periodontal disease in dogs is plaque – a layer of slime on the surface of the teeth, both above and below the gum line, produced by bacteria living in the mouth. While plaque is the main culprit, you can’t see it. The brown buildup you see on some dogs’ teeth is actually tartar, which forms when calcium salts in saliva are deposited on top of the plaque. In addition to being unsightly, the rough texture of the stone encourages further plaque build-up. And when the dog’s natural inflammatory response reacts to the plaque, the problems begin.
In essence, plaque, tartar and periodontal disease work the same way in humans, although the specific bacteria in each species may differ. There are also several factors that can modify or affect periodontal disease in dogs. For example, prevalence increases with age. Dr. Soltero-Rivera adds, “Small breeds are usually more commonly affected, and Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, and Yorkshire Terriers are some of those breeds known to have this condition.”
What does periodontal disease look like in dogs?
Unfortunately, by the time you notice periodontal disease in your dog, the condition may be at an advanced stage. There are a few early indicators that you can see just by looking in your dog’s mouth. This is why prevention and veterinary checks are so important. However, there are some physical signs to look for, as well as behaviors that signal oral discomfort. The following signs indicate that your dog is suffering from periodontal disease:
- Redness and/or bleeding gums
- Exposed tooth roots
- Loose teeth
- Missing teeth
- Decreased appetite or weight loss
- Lack of interest or reluctance to chew hard foods or play with hard toys
- Bad breath (bad breath)
- Preference for chewing on one side of the mouth
- Excessive salivation
- The head shy or reluctance to let you look into their mouth
Why is periodontal disease a problem in dogs?
Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and therefore problems with chewing and eating which can affect nutrition. It is also quite painful for dogs. In addition, there is the potential for damage to other parts of the body, particularly the heart, liver and kidneys. Research has shown that periodontal disease can have significant adverse effects on a dog’s health because of these systemic or whole-body consequences, including a possible increase in disease and death.
These additional problems come from the bacteremia that occurs when the bacteria surrounding the roots of the teeth enter the bloodstream. Dr. Soltero-Rivera says that extrapolating from human medicine, “The thinking is that bacteremia occurs even when we chew, and a healthy person should be able to deal with that. However, in patients with certain systemic diseases, there is concern about direct effects from these bacteria but also about the systemic inflammation that can occur in these patients.”
How to treat periodontal disease in dogs
Severe periodontal disease often requires the dog’s teeth to be extracted. For moderate levels of disease, a dentist may consider advanced periodontal treatments to reduce the depth of the pockets where the teeth are located or to restore tooth attachment. For example, they can clean the inner layer of a periodontal pocket to remove irritated and inflamed tissue. For early signs of disease, standard dental treatments are the answer. This means exfoliating and polishing your dog’s teeth, both above and below the gum line. All of these procedures must be performed by a veterinarian while your dog is under anesthesia.
Most dogs need an annual veterinary checkup to assess the need for a professional dental cleaning, but small dogs and certain breeds at higher risk of periodontal disease benefit from twice a year. Although there is always an inherent risk to anesthesia, according to Dr. Soltero-Rivera, “Professional dental cleanings are important for delaying the progression of periodontal disease and for early detection of other diseases before they become a nuisance to our patients…We always want to weigh the risk against the benefit. The idea is to tip the balance from treatment to prevention.”
How to prevent periodontal disease in dogs
Although some plaque is removed from your dog’s teeth naturally through tongue movements and chewing habits, it’s simply not enough to make a difference. You should have a dental health routine at home for your dog. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day to every other day. Dr. Soltero-Rivera says nothing less than that makes a difference. Use one dog toothpaste because human toothpaste is designed to be spit out, while your dog will swallow the paste. And choose a suitable toothbrush or finger brush to fit the size of your dog’s mouth.
If it’s not possible to brush your dog’s teeth, then Dr. Soltero-Rivera recommends choosing two to three products from Veterinary Oral Health Board that work in different ways, such as water additives, dental chews, or dental wipes and change them at home on a daily basis. If you pair brushing your teeth or dog dental products With regular veterinary checkups and professional dental cleanings, your dog will not only have healthy teeth, but a healthier body and a better overall quality of life.
