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.
