Are you aware that your dog's oral hygiene can affect his 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.
The build up of plaque provides an perfect environment for bacterial growth. This bacteria results in irritation to the gums, causing them to swell and eventually bleed. As the inflammation worsens, additional bacteria are produced. This leads to the gums receding and the exposure of the root. Ultimately the teeth become loose in their sockets and they fall out if the disease is left untreated.
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 quite painful and can result in tooth loss, the condition can cause additional, much more serious, health concerns. Continued bacterial growth can result in bacteria entering the blood steam and then migrating to internal organs including the urinary tract, heart valves, and other systems of the body. This snowball effect, starting with the improper attention to oral hygiene can ultimately lead to critical illness and even death.
All breeds of dogs are at risk; however oral problems are more commonly found in dogs with short muzzles and flat faces. In addition, older dogs are also at increased risk. Dogs who are fed soft dog food are also more at risk than those who are fed primarily dry dog food.
Treatment of periodontal disease is dependent upon the degree to which the disease has progressed. Brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis may resolve the problem. For more advanced cases the dog's teeth may require descaling - usually performed by the veterinarian with the dog under general anesthesia. When the disease has progressed to a very late stage, a specialist may be required 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 visiting your veterinarian, feeding him a healthy diet, routine brushing of your dog's teeth, and giving him the occasional chew toy. He'll appreciate your efforts to keep him from getting "long in the tooth". - 29895
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.
The build up of plaque provides an perfect environment for bacterial growth. This bacteria results in irritation to the gums, causing them to swell and eventually bleed. As the inflammation worsens, additional bacteria are produced. This leads to the gums receding and the exposure of the root. Ultimately the teeth become loose in their sockets and they fall out if the disease is left untreated.
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 quite painful and can result in tooth loss, the condition can cause additional, much more serious, health concerns. Continued bacterial growth can result in bacteria entering the blood steam and then migrating to internal organs including the urinary tract, heart valves, and other systems of the body. This snowball effect, starting with the improper attention to oral hygiene can ultimately lead to critical illness and even death.
All breeds of dogs are at risk; however oral problems are more commonly found in dogs with short muzzles and flat faces. In addition, older dogs are also at increased risk. Dogs who are fed soft dog food are also more at risk than those who are fed primarily dry dog food.
Treatment of periodontal disease is dependent upon the degree to which the disease has progressed. Brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis may resolve the problem. For more advanced cases the dog's teeth may require descaling - usually performed by the veterinarian with the dog under general anesthesia. When the disease has progressed to a very late stage, a specialist may be required 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 visiting your veterinarian, feeding him a healthy diet, routine brushing of your dog's teeth, and giving him the occasional chew toy. He'll appreciate your efforts to keep him from getting "long in the tooth". - 29895
About the Author:
Jim Navary has been a freelance writer and researcher for over thirty years encompassing a broad range of topics. He has also been enamored with dogs for longer than he'd care to remember. :-) Please check out his DogBurg web site for canine friends at 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."
