Monitoring your dog's dental health can be hard—after all, your dog can't tell you if they have a toothache or if their gums feel inflamed and sensitive. But just like in humans, periodontal disease in dogs can have serious consequences, ranging from tooth loss and oral infection to increased risk of heart disease. So how can you tell whether your dog has periodontal disease?
Bad Breath
There's a stereotype that dogs have naturally bad breath, but this isn't the case; if your dog has bad breath, this is a sign of oral hygiene problems. The worse your dog's breath, the more advanced their dental issues are likely to be. If your dog has bad breath, make sure that you are brushing their teeth daily with toothpaste designed for canines. If their breath doesn't improve with daily oral care, it's time to see a veterinarian.
Blood In Saliva
If you've ever had gingivitis, you may have noticed that brushing and flossing caused your gums to bleed. The same is true for dogs: if your dog has periodontal disease, you may notice blood in their saliva, especially when you brush their teeth or after they eat.
Reluctance To Chew
The inflammation of periodontal disease can make chewing painful, and if this happens, your dog is likely to avoid chewing. If they are reluctant to eat treats that require chewing or they give up on their regular chew toys, this could be because chewing has become painful. In extreme cases, your dog may avoid eating and begin to lose weight.
Loose Or Lost Teeth
In advanced cases of periodontal disease, known as periodontitis, your dog will begin to lose bone density in their jaws. This loss of bone structure leads to loose teeth and, eventually, to teeth falling out. If your dog has lost a tooth or you notice that your dog's teeth feel loose when you brush them, it's very likely that they are suffering from periodontitis.
What To Do Next
If you see signs of periodontal disease in your dog, it's important to treat it quickly, so you should call your veterinarian and make an appointment to have your dog's teeth examined. Periodontal problems are progressive, which means that the longer you wait, the worse the condition will become. If caught early, a professional dental cleaning followed by regular brushing of your dog's teeth may completely reverse the disease. For more information, visit sites like http://montclairvethospital.com.
