You might not pay much attention to your dog’s pearly whites, but much like us, they can suffer from tooth decay and painful gums. They can experience such severe pain that they stop eating and become listless. In the worst-case scenario, the infection can spread throughout their bodies and become life-threatening. But the earlier you spot changes in the teeth and gums of your pets, the better their prognosis. So let’s learn more about the dangers of tooth and gum disease in dogs.
What is Tooth and Gum Disease in Dogs?
Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria enter the oral cavity. The bacteria come from the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which increases inflammation of the soft tissues. If your dog has tooth decay, you won’t notice it right away. Symptoms develop gradually, and only once they cause pain and discomfort will it become apparent that your pooch has a dental issue. You can look for signs such as foul breath that doesn’t go away, blood along the gum line, and a lack of interest in food. If dental problems are left unchecked, they can cause major complications, from jaw fractures to severe pain and weight loss.
1. Weight Loss
Nobody wants to see their fur friends in pain, but when dental problems strike, there’s no way to avoid discomfort. If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how uncomfortable it is, making it impossible to enjoy or eat food. When your dog has a rotten tooth or gum problem, they feel the same way. They struggle to eat hard food, such as kibble, or show no interest in food.
If your dog isn’t consuming their full meal because of toothache, they’ll eventually lose weight. Broken and loose teeth and gum and tooth infections, such as abscesses, are common causes of pain and a lack of interest in food. Of course, poor appetite and weight loss in dogs could be signs of other conditions including possible obstructions. Always get them to a veterinarian if you notice these changes.
2. Receding Gums
The advancement of oral disease in your canine companion will affect healthy gums. The bacteria cause the gum to recede, exposing more of the teeth. The compromised area around each tooth becomes infected, making it easier for teeth to break off or loosen and this is very painful for dogs. Depending on the extent of the disease, there might be bone loss, increasing the risk of a jaw fracture. Gum recession is very uncomfortable, and the only form of treatment for loose teeth is extraction. A physical examination, including X-rays of the mouth, can reveal the presence of loose and broken teeth.
3. Jaw Fracture
Chronic and severe infections of the teeth and soft tissues can weaken the jawbone and lead to a traumatic mandibular fracture. Affected dogs suffer from the loss of bone where the infection has run rampant. The slightest pressure on this part of the bone will cause it to crack, resulting in pain and swelling.
The break can happen so quickly it’s as simple as your dog biting a toy and sustaining a fracture. Symptoms include excessive drooling, visible misalignment of the jaw, and an inability to eat. Most of these cases are seen in older small dog breeds that haven’t consumed a well-balanced diet to prevent plaque and tartar from causing eventual oral problems.
4. Diabetic Challenges
Diabetic dogs are usually at higher risk of developing tooth decay and gingivitis, which is known as the inflammation of the gums. For some pets, the high amount of inflammation and bacteria makes it harder to regulate blood sugar levels, and they develop diabetes. If the oral disease is not managed in these animals, it will simply lead to the worsening of diabetic symptoms. This places diabetic dogs at an even greater risk of complications, including the possibility of seizures, because of irregular sugar levels. Only once the dental condition is treated can pet owners get a grip on their dog’s diabetes.
5. Heart Disease
One of the scariest and most preventable causes of heart disease in dogs and cats is tooth decay and gum inflammation. Some studies show how the presence of severe oral inflammation increases the risk of cardiac problems in pets. The bacteria and inflammation associated with tooth decay and bleeding gums in dogs can migrate throughout the body, where they affect vital organs such as the heart. If you notice that your fur companion is lethargic, runs out of energy quickly, and struggles to eat their food, it is best to have them assessed by a vet. Thanks to research involving heart problems and dental decay, you can act before periodontal disease causes heart issues that affect your pet’s quality of life.
How to Prevent the Progression of Periodontal Disease in Dogs
You can minimize the possibility of tooth loss and pain in your pet by encouraging them to eat teeth-cleaning treats. These include chicken feet and dental sticks that remove plaque and tartar. A healthy diet and chewing their kibble instead of just swallowing it can also encourage clean teeth. If these methods don’t work or you want to give your pet an added layer of protection, you can brush their teeth with pet-approved toothpaste. The best way to manage and avoid the dangers of tooth and gum disease in dogs is to have them checked by your local vet. Your veterinarian can look for signs of early dental decay and advise on treatment to prevent its progression.
