Understanding Gum Disease In Dogs

Gum disease is an inflammatory condition that occurs when your dog has high levels of bacteria in their mouth. The bacteria bind with food debris and create plaque, which is a sticky substance that coats the teeth. Your dog's immune system recognises plaque as a foreign invader and attempts to destroy the plaque using white blood cells, but bacteria can respond to this by causing enzymes to be released that break down your dog's gum tissue. Gum disease causes tooth erosion and is unfortunately very common dogs. Here's what you need to know about this oral health condition:

Causes

A number of factors can contribute to high levels of bacteria in your dog's mouth, including:

• Tooth Alignment - Crowded teeth make it difficult to get your dog's teeth thoroughly clean and provide lots of spaces for food debris to collect, which is a source of food for bacteria.
• Chewing Behaviour - Chewing on toys and dental chews can prevent plaque from building up and encourages the production of more saliva, which creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria. If your dog is uninterested in chewing toys or not given the opportunity, they can have increased levels of bacteria in their mouth.
• Oral Hygiene - Your dog needs to have their teeth cleaned on a daily basis to remove food debris and tartar. If your dog isn't keen on letting you brush their teeth, your vet can give you advice on using different types of brushing aids.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include:

• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Drooling
• Inflamed and receding gums
• Pain, which may present as loss of appetite, pawing at their mouth and irritability

Treatment

Your vet will suggest a treatment plan based on the severity of the gum disease. Treatment will include having your dog's teeth professionally cleaned to remove plaque, which will enable the vet to get a better look at the condition of the gums around the teeth. Further treatment may include:

• Planing - This treatment involves gently filing your dog's teeth around the gum line to create a smooth surface, which can prevent plaque being able to reform on the treated teeth.
• Pocket Reduction Surgery - If your dog's gums have receded significantly, this treatment can be used to lift the gum tissue and close off any gaps, which will prevent infection taking hold and protect the roots of your dog's teeth.
• Tooth Extraction - If your dog has a tooth that's badly decayed, or the surrounding gum tissue is damaged beyond repair, extraction may be the only option and can bring relief from pain.

If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms of gum disease, or if you're concerned about their oral health, schedule an appointment at a clinic like Kingston Animal Hospital as soon as possible.