Are you aware of the importance of oral hygiene to your dog's overall health?
The most common oral hygiene issue that dogs face is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is usually results from excessive plaque buildup. As plaque accumulates on the teeth, it gradually hardens into tartar. This adversely affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
When plaque accumulates on the teeth it provides a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria. The bacteria cause irritation to the gums. The irritation causing the gums to swell and eventually bleed. As the inflammation worsens, additional bacteria are produced. This causes the gums to recede and exposes the tooth's root. It also results in bone tissue loss causing the teeth to become loose in their sockets. If left untreated, the teeth ultimately fall out.
The symptoms of periodontal disease include brown or yellow stains on the teeth, consistently bad breath, reddened gums and exposed tooth roots. In addition if your dog seems to have difficulty chewing, excessive drooling, a reluctance to eat or mouth pain (as evidenced by pawing at his mouth or rubbing his face on the ground) the problem may be periodontal disease.
Although periodontal disease is very painful and may result in tooth loss, the condition can cause additional, even more serious, health issues. Continued bacterial growth may result in bacteria entering the blood steam and then migrating to the urinary tract, heart valves, and other systems of the body. This chain reaction that starts innocently enough with inadequate oral hygiene can ultimately lead to very serious illness and even death.
All breeds of dogs are at risk of developing periodontal disease. However significant oral problems are most commonly found in dogs with short muzzles and flat faces. Dogs who are fed soft dog food are also more at risk than those who are fed primarily dry dog food. Also, older dogs are also at increased risk since plaque has had a long time to develop.
Treatment of periodontal disease is dependent upon how far the disease has progressed. In less severe cases, brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis may eliminate it. For more advanced cases, the dog's teeth may have to be descaled. This is usually performed by your veterinarian with the dog sedated under general anesthesia. If it is found that the disease has progressed to a very late stage, a specialist may have to perform advanced dental surgery.
As with most health issues, prevention and early detection are essential. Regular brushing of your dog's teeth will help fight the buildup of plaque. Additionally, regular visits to your veterinarian for a periodic check-ups can identify hidden damage to the teeth before a problem grows more serious.
Help your dog maintain overall health by regularly providing veterinary check-ups, feeding him a healthy diet, routinely brushing your dog's teeth, and giving him the occasional chew toy. He will certainly appreciate your efforts to keep him from getting "long in the tooth".
The most common oral hygiene issue that dogs face is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is usually results from excessive plaque buildup. As plaque accumulates on the teeth, it gradually hardens into tartar. This adversely affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
When plaque accumulates on the teeth it provides a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria. The bacteria cause irritation to the gums. The irritation causing the gums to swell and eventually bleed. As the inflammation worsens, additional bacteria are produced. This causes the gums to recede and exposes the tooth's root. It also results in bone tissue loss causing the teeth to become loose in their sockets. If left untreated, the teeth ultimately fall out.
The symptoms of periodontal disease include brown or yellow stains on the teeth, consistently bad breath, reddened gums and exposed tooth roots. In addition if your dog seems to have difficulty chewing, excessive drooling, a reluctance to eat or mouth pain (as evidenced by pawing at his mouth or rubbing his face on the ground) the problem may be periodontal disease.
Although periodontal disease is very painful and may result in tooth loss, the condition can cause additional, even more serious, health issues. Continued bacterial growth may result in bacteria entering the blood steam and then migrating to the urinary tract, heart valves, and other systems of the body. This chain reaction that starts innocently enough with inadequate oral hygiene can ultimately lead to very serious illness and even death.
All breeds of dogs are at risk of developing periodontal disease. However significant oral problems are most commonly found in dogs with short muzzles and flat faces. Dogs who are fed soft dog food are also more at risk than those who are fed primarily dry dog food. Also, older dogs are also at increased risk since plaque has had a long time to develop.
Treatment of periodontal disease is dependent upon how far the disease has progressed. In less severe cases, brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis may eliminate it. For more advanced cases, the dog's teeth may have to be descaled. This is usually performed by your veterinarian with the dog sedated under general anesthesia. If it is found that the disease has progressed to a very late stage, a specialist may have to perform advanced dental surgery.
As with most health issues, prevention and early detection are essential. Regular brushing of your dog's teeth will help fight the buildup of plaque. Additionally, regular visits to your veterinarian for a periodic check-ups can identify hidden damage to the teeth before a problem grows more serious.
Help your dog maintain overall health by regularly providing veterinary check-ups, feeding him a healthy diet, routinely brushing your dog's teeth, and giving him the occasional chew toy. He will certainly appreciate your efforts to keep him from getting "long in the tooth".
About the Author:
Jim Navary has been a freelance writer and researcher for over thirty years covering a wide range of topics. He has also been a dog lover for longer than he'd care to remember. :-) Please check out his DogBurg web site for dog fanciers at www.DogBurg.com. Once there, sign up for his newsletter for dog lovers and receive the free ebook, "Pamper Your Dog: 130 Recipes for Your Canine Friend."
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