Dental

Different Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Preventive Measures of Periodontal Disease

When the oral health of your pet dog needs care, it may be suffering from periodontal disease. This is a very common disease where the symptoms and signs remain silent until they have reached an advanced stage. The mouth of the dog gets infected by the bacteria named periodontitis. It starts with the food accumulation between the gums and the teeth if not brushed away properly. 

Causes of the Disease:

  • Build-up Of Bacteria- The bacteria can grow inside the mouth of the dog and can develop into plaque. Within 2 or 3 days, the bacteria get hardened by combining with other minerals. The hardened bacteria are called calculus and they are very tough in scraping away from the mouth says Chiang Rai Times.
  • Inflamed Gums- When you observe inflamed gums in your dog, it is an obvious sign that the bacteria have already buildup. Though the immune system starts fighting against the buildup, proper care and treatment are also required.
  • Poor Diet, Nutrition, and Grooming- For developing plaque, poor nutrition and diet play a huge role. If your pet does not have proper grooming habits and frequently licks itself, it may possess periodontal disease.  
  • Unclean Toys and Poor Teeth Alignment- When your dog has a very poor alignment of teeth that are very crowded, they are more susceptible to gum diseases. Poor oral hygiene with unclean toys will add up to the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of the Periodontal Disease

The signs and symptoms of periodontal disease only appear when the disease is in an advanced stage. 

  • High level of Irritability
  • Teeth Discoloration (either brown or yellow)
  • Appetite reduction 
  • Bleeding or Inflamed gums
  • Losing weight
  • Missed or lost teeth
  • Saliva with blood when the condition called ‘ropey’
  • Drooling Excessively
  • Breathing Bad
  • Feeling uncomfortable in keeping food inside the mouth
  • When blood is observed in the bowl of drinking water or the toys used for chewing

Your dog can also feel chronic pain during the advanced stages of the disease. The signs of weaknesses may get hidden during the early stages of the disease.

The effects of periodontal disease do not remain restricted only to the mouth of the dog but can lead to major problems like heart disease and other major organ problems. The bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream by attaching to the arteries which surround the heart.

Preventive Measures 

If you want to take preventive measures for this disease, regular dental checkups, a proper lifestyle, and good oral hygiene can keep your pet safe.

  • Proper Brushing- This activity can save your pet from getting affected by periodontal disease. For maintaining oral hygiene, you should keep a separate brush for your dog and make it a routine to help with brushing.
  • Special Toothpaste- There is special toothpaste available in the market that helps in taking care of the teeth and gums of your dog.
  • Proper Diet- When proper diet is maintained, the plaque will not form inside the mouth. Make sure the food is not very sticky or moist that can get stuck inside the gums or the teeth. To remove the plaque, the dogs can also be given some food for chewing. Proper chewing can prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque. There are also readymade dental chews available in veterinary stores or hospitals.
  • Regular Dental Appointments- For identifying the trouble spots at early stages, regular dental checkups are required for your dog. For evaluating oral health, your dog should get checked at least once a year. Neglecting dental checkups can lead to serious diseases that cannot be confined to oral disease.
  • Clear Queries With Professionals- When you have an appointment with your vet; you should clear all your doubts about the home care methods. You should also have the proper information on how frequently the pet should come for professional cleaning of their mouth.
  • Chew Toys and Dental Chews- There are different types of dental chews and chew toys available in the market. Proper chewing can make the gums and the teeth of your pet strong. Tartar development can also be reduced with the help of chewing.
  • No Alternative For Brushing- Brushing should not be an optional activity for your pet and cannot be replaced with any other activity. For maintaining oral hygiene, you should fix a schedule for brushing at the same time every day.
  • Take Professional Advice- When you are in doubt regarding any oral issue, you should always seek professional help. Taking advice from any friend who has applied any homely method to her pet may not be suitable for your one. Therefore professional advice is always recommendable for the oral health of your pet.

Treatment 

Professional teeth cleaning and other dental procedures are available in vet hospitals and clinics. Depending on the requirements of your pet, the veterinarian can provide the care for treating the disease. Before putting your dog into anesthesia, there should be several blood tests to ensure that it is healthy enough. The dental procedures may include

  • Polishing, scaling, and lavaging of gingival portions
  • Radiograph of a complete set of teeth
  • Blood work before anesthesia
  • IV fluids and IV catheter
  • When any extractions are required, local anesthesia like novocaine is applied
  • Inhaling of anesthetics and oxygen through endotracheal intubation 
  • Medication for pain during and after the dental procedure
  • Circulation of warm air during the procedure is required to keep the body warm 
  • Proper monitoring of anesthesia

Conclusion

This article describes about the different symptoms, causes, treatment, and preventive measures of the periodontal diseases in dogs. As they cannot speak, you should understand their pain and suffering by observing the symptoms of the diseases. Thus knowing the signs of the diseases is very important. Though, most of the time, the signs get visible in the advanced stages, preventive measures can be taken by maintaining a proper lifestyle and oral hygiene. Proper food habits are also required so that tartar and plaque cannot be formed easily within the gums or the teeth. In case of any doubts regarding any care procedures, you should immediately contact the veterinary hospitals or professional vet clinics for the best suggestions.

Christopher Stern

Christopher Stern is a Washington-based reporter. Chris spent many years covering tech policy as a business reporter for renowned publications. He has extensive experience covering Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commissions. He is a graduate of Middlebury College. Email:[email protected]

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