Are you aware that your dog's oral hygiene can affect his overall health? The most common oral hygiene issue that dogs face is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is usually results from excessive plaque buildup. As plaque accumulates on the teeth, it gradually hardens into tartar. This adversely affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth.

When plaque accumulates on the teeth it provides a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria. The bacteria cause irritation to the gums. The irritation causing the gums to swell and eventually bleed. As the inflammation worsens, additional bacteria are produced. This causes the gums to recede and exposes the tooth's root. It also results in bone tissue loss causing the teeth to become loose in their sockets. If left untreated, the teeth ultimately fall out.

The symptoms of periodontal disease include consistently bad breath, brown or yellow stains on the teeth, reddened and/or bleeding gums and exposed tooth roots. Additionally, if your dog seems to be having difficulty chewing, is drooling excessively, shows a reluctance to eat or has mouth pain (as evidenced by rubbing his face on the ground or pawing at his mouth) the cause may be periodontal disease. Although periodontal disease is quite painful and can result in tooth loss, the condition can cause additional, much more serious, health concerns. Continued bacterial growth can result in bacteria entering the blood steam and then migrating to internal organs including the urinary tract, heart valves, and other systems of the body. This snowball effect, starting with the improper attention to oral hygiene can ultimately lead to critical illness and even death.

While all breeds of dogs are at risk, periodontal disease is more commonly found in dogs with flat faces and short muzzles. Additionally, senior dogs are also at increased risk. Dogs whose diet is primarily moist, canned dog food are also more at risk than those who are usually fed dry dog food.

Treatment of periodontal disease is dependent upon the degree to which the disease has progressed. Brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis may resolve the problem. For more advanced cases the dog's teeth may require descaling - usually performed by the veterinarian with the dog under general anesthesia. When the disease has progressed to a very late stage, a specialist may be required to perform advanced dental surgery.

As always, prevention and early detection are critical. Routine brushing of your dog's teeth will help fight the buildup of plaque. In addition, regular visits to your veterinarian for a routine check-up can identify any hidden damage to the teeth before the problem grows more serious.

Help your dog maintain overall health by regularly providing veterinary check-ups, feeding him a healthy diet, routinely brushing your dog's teeth, and giving him the occasional chew toy. He will certainly appreciate your efforts to keep him from getting "long in the tooth".

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Article Submitted By: Jim Navary
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