Gum disease in dogs is caused by bacteria. Dogs that don’t get dental care from their parents are more vulnerable. Dirty teeth provide favorable conditions for bacteria to thrive. Most people imagine that gum disease is brought about by plaque. This is not true because plaque happens when a lot of bacteria have accumulated in the mouth. But how can you tell if your dog has gum disease? Below are some common symptoms of this illness:
- Loose teeth: If the teeth look weak, chances are that the disease is at an advanced stage. If you look closely, you will realize that the teeth move when the dog bites onto something.
- Bleeding Gums: The disease is usually manifested through bleeding especially when the canine is eating. Besides that. The gums tend to bleed when you are brushing his teeth no matter how gentle you run the brush across the teeth.
- Bad breath: Contrary to what most dog owners think, it’s not normal for a dog to have bad breath. If the mouth of your canine has an awful smell, it’s likely that he has gum disease.
- Inflamed and red gums: The dog’s gum look inflamed which could be a sign of gingivitis. Moreover, the gums turn red in color even when they are not bleeding.
Prevention of Gum Disease
If gum disease is not treated early, it can lead to teeth decay which eventually results in teeth removal. Besides that, the bones around the teeth can get fractures. The jaw bone is likely to be affected the most because it absorbs all the impact and weight of the teeth. You can keep gum disease at bay by brushing the teeth of your dog everyday.
You can actually do it in the morning or in the evening. For dog owners that have tight work schedules, a minimum of two times per week will do the magic. It’s also advisable to have the teeth of your dog cleaned at least once per year by the vet. This is because a vet will usually use scaling and polishing tools to remove the accumulated plaque.