A dog’s oral health is an important part of its overall well-being. As we know, dogs go through a lot of activities using their mouth, from eating to biting anything they can get their mouths on. Because of this, they have a risk of having gum disease, a condition that affects the health of their gums and teeth. 

What is Gum Disease in Dogs?

Gum disease is also commonly known as dental disease and periodontal disease, one of the most common health problems in adult dogs. It’s an infection of the tissues and ligaments around your dog’s teeth. This disease often starts with something as simple as plaque buildup, but if left untreated, it can lead to issues like tooth loss, pain, and even infections that spread to vital organs like the heart and kidneys.

Gingivitis

The problem starts with gingivitis, wherein the gums become inflamed due to the excess buildup of plaque and tartar. A dog’s gums may look swollen, red, and inflamed. It can also bleed when eating and brushing are done. This stage of the disease is completely reversible, which makes immediate vet care important to help your dog. 

Early Periodontitis

In this stage, the gums have started to become damaged and inflamed that the situation has become worse than the initial stage. The infection will have spread throughout the tissues that hold the teeth in their place.

Moderate Periodontitis

Once the periodontitis has worsened, more issues will arise, such as tooth pain and a more serious infection that can potentially spread. Bad breath and bleeding gums are clear in this stage.

Advanced Periodontitis

During this stage, the gum disease has reached its peak, bringing extensive bone loss and tissue damage. You’ll notice your dog’s teeth to be super loose, to the point that they may actually fall. 

Symptoms of Gum Disease in Dogs

Gum disease can be tricky to identify in its early stages, especially because dogs are good at hiding discomfort. However, as the disease progresses, you’ll notice several symptoms and signs that tell you the problem. Here are the common symptoms of gum disease in dogs:

Bad Breath

While a dog’s breath may not always be minty fresh, persistent foul-smelling breath can be a sign of bacterial buildup in the mouth. This bad odor comes from the accumulated bacteria in your dog’s teeth.

Red or Swollen Gums

If you see that your dog’s gums look red, swollen, or inflamed, it might be a sign of gum disease. This can usually be seen as a red and slightly bigger appearance along the gumline of your dog.

Difficulty Chewing or Eating

If you see your dog having trouble eating, it may be a sign of a dental problem, potentially gum disease. You’ll see it when they chew on one side or drop their food while eating. They might also avoid hard foods altogether.

Bleeding Gums

In some cases, the disease might have already progressed, leading to bleeding. This may happen if touched by a toothbrush or the food they eat. 

Loose or Missing Teeth

As gum disease progresses, it can damage the tissues and bones that support your dog’s teeth, leading to loose teeth. In advanced cases, the teeth might fall out.

Drooling or Pawing at the Mouth

Excessive drooling can be another sign of discomfort, especially if your dog is experiencing pain in their mouth. Some dogs may also paw at their mouth or rub their face on furniture in an effort to relieve themselves.

Behavioral Changes

Gum disease can make your dog irritable and stressed because of the pain and discomfort they feel. They may become less active, avoid playing with chew toys, or show less enthusiasm for eating.

Causes of Gum Disease in Dogs

Gum disease in dogs is caused by several factors, most of which can come from poor dental health and maintenance. By knowing the factors that cause gum disease in dogs, you can take steps to take care of your best friend’s teeth and gums. You can also enlist the help of our dog dentists to clean and keep your dog’s teeth healthy. 

Plaque and Tartar Buildup

The most common cause of gum disease in dogs can be traced to plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque forms naturally when foods and bacteria mix in the mouth. These bacteria feed on the food your dog eats, usually carbs and sugar. By doing so, they break down the food to become plaque. 

If the plaque in your dog’s teeth is not removed by brushing or chewing, it becomes tartar, which can irritate the gums. As time goes by, this issue can lead to infection, inflammation, and, ultimately, gum disease. Without dental cleaning, your dog’s tartar can build up below the gumline and cause damage to the tissues and bones that support the teeth.

Lack of Dental Care

Routine dental care is often overlooked in dogs, but it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent gum disease and other health problems. If your dog’s teeth aren’t brushed regularly, plaque and tartar can build up quickly. Without professional maintenance, your dog’s dental health will be at risk.

A lack of dental care can increase the risk of bacteria, leading to plaque buildup, tartar buildup, and then a series of more complications. By having regular dental cleanings, you can keep your dog’s dental and overall health in great condition.

Breed and Size

Smaller dog breeds such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds can be more prone to gum disease because of their crowded teeth. Because of this tight space, it’s easier for food and bacteria to stay, causing plaque buildup. 

Additionally, small breeds may have shallower tooth roots, which makes them more vulnerable to infections and tooth loss. Even though gum disease is more common in small breeds, it can affect dogs of all sizes if their oral health is not well-maintained.

Diet and Nutrition

A wrong diet selection can also be the cause of gum disease in dogs. Wet food can be more likely to stick around your dog’s teeth, causing lots of problems and plaque. Sticky foods can easily get stuck around the teeth and make room for plaque buildup.

While dry kibble does not help clean your dog’s teeth, it’s important to switch things up with a variety of foods that can help keep your dog’s teeth strong. Specially formulated foods are great sources of nutrition for dental health, keeping gums and teeth strong. Also, foods such as chicken, broccoli, and apples are great solid foods that help aid your dog’s immune system.

Age

As dogs age, their risk of developing gum disease increases. Older dogs are more likely to experience plaque and tartar buildup simply because they’ve had more time for bacteria to accumulate. At the same time, the first stages of the problem can’t be easily detected, as most cases only get noticed when the disease has taken its course. In addition to this, older dogs become more vulnerable to infections, including those affecting the gums. 

Treatment of Gum Disease in Dogs

When the gum disease gets too serious, professional cleaning might be needed. While this might take a few sessions before the problem gets fixed, it’s a surefire way to help your dog recover. Here’s how we treat gum disease in dogs:

Dental Cleaning

If the problem is still in its earliest stages, our vets can easily remove the plaque buildup with a professional dental cleaning session. This also includes a bit of scaling to remove plaque that may have hardened. 

After initial cleaning and scraping, polishing will also be done right after to keep the surface clean. If there is any inflammation on the gum of your dog, the appropriate medications will be used to provide relief and protection from bacteria.

Deep Cleaning

If your dog’s gum disease is in its later stages, more advanced techniques might be used. These will include a deep clean of your dog’s teeth by scaling. Through scaling, the hardened plaque, known as tartar, will be removed from your dog’s gumline. 

We’ll also apply a gel to the root surfaces of the teeth. These help prevent bacteria and plaque from reattaching.

Tooth Extractions

If the problem has gotten too serious, we’ll likely have to remove the affected teeth. If the tooth’s root is damaged or the surrounding bone has eroded, the tooth can no longer be saved. Extracting it helps protect the overall health of the mouth.

Prevention of Gum Disease in Dogs

To help keep your dogs safe from this stressful disease, it’s important to prevent it altogether. Here are some tips you can use to prevent gum disease in dogs:

Regular Brushing

Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth three times a week, as it can make a big difference. Use a toothbrush designed for dogs and dog-friendly toothpaste.

Provide Formulated Foods

A balanced diet helps keep your dog’s oral health in good condition. Some foods, such as specially formulated foods, are great choices. These can give your dog the nutrition it needs while also helping with their dental health.

Routine Vet Visits

Regular puppy visits are super helpful in keeping your dog’s teeth and gums monitored. We can detect any potential problems and maintain your dog’s healthy teeth and gums. Contact us, and we’ll help you get started on your dog’s dental schedule.

Conclusion

Gum disease in dogs is more common than you think. Lots of our canine pals suffer from the stress and pain the disease causes, and we are their only hope. However, good prevention techniques can help keep the disease away. With your help, we can keep our dogs smiling and their teeth shiny.