Last Updated on October 3, 2022 by Pets Feed
Gum disease in animals is usually silent and unnoticed in the initial stage, but as it progresses, symptoms such as yellowing and loss of teeth, bleeding and bad breath appear.
As the mouth is warm, moist and contains a significant amount of nutrients, it becomes an ideal incubator for all types of bacteria. Most of them are normal microflora, but sometimes pathological plaque forms on the teeth.
Subsequently, the minerals contained in the saliva strengthen the plaque, which turns into stone. Thus, the normal microbial flora is out of balance and if pathogenic organisms proliferate, inflammation occurs. If measures are not taken to remove tartar, the bacteria penetrate deeper into the root socket, damaging the tissues around the tooth, which can lead to its loss.
Tartar prevention and treatment
For the prevention of tartar, it is recommended to follow a suitable diet. Balanced dry foods, special toys, cookies, toothpastes and gels also do a good job.
It is recommended to use medicated feed. It contains special dietary fibers, which, interacting with saliva, swell and then break down when chewing food, gentle and effective cleaning of the teeth occurs. With regular use of this food, the risk of tartar formation is reduced.
Cavities in dogs
In dogs, caries usually occurs on the occlusal surfaces of the molars. It is the result of bacterial breakdown of tooth structure caused by the release of acids that ferment carbohydrates on the surface of the enamel. Therefore, a diet high in refined and easily fermentable carbohydrates will promote tooth decay. Caries has the appearance of a brown-black cavitary lesion with a soft surface, in the place of which a cavity forms over time, there is an unpleasant smell from the mouth. Local treatment of caries in dogs is carried out by a veterinarian.
Daily brushing is the best way to ensure your pet’s health. With care, patience, and perseverance, you can train your dog to obey daily brushing. Cleaning is carried out with special toothpastes. Reception of multivitamins, vitamin and mineral complexes is shown.
Osteomyelitis and its treatment
Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone caused by an infection. It can be acute or chronic. Early signs of a bone infection include pain, swelling, fever, swollen gums and an abscess.
There are two main treatment options, although both require the wound to be cleaned and pus to drain from the infected area. Conservative treatment is a long course of antibiotics to ensure the infection is cleared up. Depending on the degree of infection, surgery may be needed to drain the affected area, removing large portions of dead tissue.
Periodontitis in dogs
Periodontitis is characterized by loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth. Clinical signs of early periodontitis are associated with the destruction of periodontal tissue and may include increased pocket height (up to 5 mm), gingival recession. Radiologically, a horizontal or vertical loss of alveolar bone can be observed.
At the onset of periodontitis, 0 to 30% of bone tissue is lost. In dogs with end-stage periodontitis, one or more tooth roots show more than 75% bone loss. Single-rooted teeth show mobility, but multi-rooted teeth cannot be weakened if one or more roots retain some attachment to bone.
The treatment for all cases of progressive periodontitis is to completely remove bacterial plaque and tartar from the dental crown, gingival sulcus and root surfaces. This allows you to stop the progression of the disease.
Stomatitis in dogs
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the gums and adjacent mucous membranes of the mouth. The disease can be caused by several factors, including reactions to certain types of medications, ingestion of hot foods, and damage to the gums. In puppies, stomatitis sometimes occurs when changing teeth.
Stomatitis can develop in dogs at any age. Symptoms: bleeding gums, bloody saliva, difficulty eating, excessive salivation, severely inflamed gums, cuts on the gums, loss of appetite, ulcers, in severe cases loss of teeth.
Antibiotics are used for treatment. It is important the daily sanitation of the oral cavity, the implementation of hygienic procedures.
In order to prevent the development of diseases of your pet’s teeth and gums, it is very important to periodically have professional teeth cleaning at a veterinary clinic.
This article is merely informative, at Petsfeed.co we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the vet in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.
