Not only humans can be affected by dental problems, our best friends also need proper oral hygiene to prevent common dental diseases in dogs. One of the frequent and alarming problems that can compromise the oral he alth of our furry friends is gingivitis, which consists of a progressive inflammatory process of the gums
On our site, we will tell you everything you need to know about gingivitis in dogs, its symptoms, possible causes, ways to prevention and treatment. You will also find some tips to take care of your best friend's teeth, avoiding bad breath and oral problems.
How does gingivitis develop in dogs?
Almost all oral problems in dogs start with the bacterial plaque forming on their teeth and gums. Gingivitis is usually considered the "next step" of tartar formation in the mouth of our furry friends, when we cannot fight it or eliminate it in time. Let's understand a little better how gingivitis develops in dogs next.
If your furry friend does not have adequate oral hygiene, which includes regular brushing, he will begin to accumulate food debris between his teeth and gums. This accumulated organic matter serves as food for bacteria that are already naturally housed in the mouth of dogs. With an abundant supply of food, bacteria begin to reproduce rapidly. Consequently, an overpopulation is generated that agglomerates in the form of bacterial plaques.
The tartar sticks to the teeth and the bacteria continue to feed and multiply, making their way and advancing under the gums. At this time, the inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis occurs.
If an effective treatment is not established to combat the advancement of bacteria, the inflammatory process will continue to expand in your furry's mouth. Bacteria quickly advance from the gums to the muscle and bone tissues that provide support and support to the teeth, which is periodontitis in dogs
Symptoms of gingivitis in dogs
Dental disease in dogs can progress quickly and silently, making it somewhat difficult to recognize its early symptoms. For this reason, it is essential not only to prevent them by offering proper oral hygiene, but also to regularly check the mouths of our best friends to identify any signs of tartar early, inflammation or lump in the dog's gum.
Usually the first specific symptom of gingivitis in dogs is the formation of a red line along the gums, which will likely look red and swollen. With the progress of the inflammation, a picture of gingival hyperplasia can occur in dogs, which consists of an excessive increase in the volume of the gums. Subsequently, if the gingivitis is not treated, it will generate bleeding gums in dogs, as well as the formation of lumps or abscesses, which usually contain pus and/or blood inside.
In addition, dogs with gingivitis may also exhibit the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite and weight.
- Bad breath.
- Excessive salivation/drooling.
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing dry feed.
- Impulse of constantly scratching the mouth.
- Pain: the dog will avoid being touched to its mouth and may react negatively if you try to do so.
- Alterations in behavior: pain can lead to alterations in the dog's usual behavior, which may appear sadder, lose the will to play and walk, or even show aggressive reactions.
As we have mentioned, the inflammatory process of the gums will continue to expand into the bone and muscle tissues, leading to periodontal disease in dogsIn advanced cases of periodontitis, we can see that the dog has rotten teeth or some teeth are missing. For this reason, it is essential to combat tartar and treat gingivitis in your dog quickly to prevent the worsening of its symptoms and preserve the oral he alth of our best friends.
Treatment for gingivitis in dogs
When you identify any of the symptoms mentioned or any alteration in your dog's behavior, do not hesitate to go quickly to your veterinarian. At the clinic, the professional will be able to evaluate the presence of tartar and gingivitis, as well as request the necessary tests to observe the evolution of bacteria in the muscle and bone structure, and verify the he alth status of your best friend.
When the diagnosis of gingivitis is confirmed, the specific treatment will depend on the severity of the inflammatory process and the state of he alth of your furry friend. In general, the veterinarian recommends the administration of analgesics to relieve the pain that the dog feels and improve its quality of life. You may also use antibiotics to fight bacteria and stop them from growing in your body.
If the bone structures have not been compromised, a surgical intervention may be performed to remove the tartar, polish the affected teeth and proceed, thus to cure gingivitis in the dog. But in more serious cases, it is necessary to extract the tooth affected by gingivitis and/or periodontitis.
How to prevent gingivitis in dogs?
The best way to prevent gingivitis in dogs is to offer proper oral hygiene to your best friend, throughout his life. life. This means regular brushing with dog-friendly products, which you can find in almost all pet supply stores. But if you are looking for a more natural alternative, we will teach you how to prepare homemade toothpaste for dogs.
Also, if you want to learn how to brush their teeth correctly, on our site we explain the different ways to clean a dog's teeth. It will also be essential to regularly check your best friend's mouth to recognize any changes in his teeth and gums early. If you detect bad breath, tartar, swelling, abscesses, changes in color or bleeding, do not hesitate to go quickly to the veterinary clinic.
Last (and not least), you can also talk to your trusted veterinarian about the possibility of changing your dog's dry food for a BARF diet or a homemade diet with semi-cooked food. A natural and balanced diet helps prevent organic waste from accumulating between the teeth, preventing the formation of tartar and gingivitis in dogs. Likewise, the use of recreational bones benefits the reduction of tartar on their teeth, so don't miss our article on "The best bones for dogs".
