Common dog tooth problem

Your dog's happy, carefree life should be unbothered by dental concerns, right? Think again. Vets say 85 percent of canines over age 4 have some form of gum disease. Other frequent problems include crooked, cracked or loose teeth, an infection or an abscess.

You may not even know when your dog has oral discomfort. This is part of his ancestry -- in the wild, showing pain would make a dog vulnerable to attack. Today's domestic canines maintain this instinct, so you have to do your best to watch for signs: changes to eating habits or loss of appetite, unusual night awakenings, rubbing the face against things or facial swelling.

Periodontal Disease

Your dog's toys may carry a clue about her dental health. Does she leave spots of blood on them after she's enjoyed a chew toy or vigorous playtime? Swollen, bleeding gums are a symptom of periodontal disease, the most commonly diagnosed oral problem in dogs.

Problems begin when plaque builds up on your dog's teeth and transforms into a brownish substance, known as tartar. When this moves under the gum line, red, puffy gums develop, called gingivitis. Left untreated, this progresses into periodontal disease, causing the gums to recede and lose their function. This can eventually lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease also introduces infection, which can travel in the bloodstream to affect other organs.

All dogs are susceptible to periodontal disease, but contributing factors include the reaction of the dog's immune system, age, diet and chewing habits. In any dog, your best defense is routine dental care -- a combination of at-home tooth brushing, good quality chews and periodic dental exams by a professional. Starting this at an early age will help your dog accept mouth handling more readily and will give her a head start on prevention.

If she's leaving telltale spots of blood, has brown tartar on her teeth or if her gums look inflamed and sore, check with your vet. A professional tooth cleaning, done early, can remove the tartar and hinder the progression of gum disease.

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