"Gum disease" refers to an infection that affects the gums surrounding your teeth. It can make them sore, swollen, and prone to bleeding. If left untreated,
gum disease can lead to more serious complications like tooth loss.
Full definition
Knowing the signs
of gum disease in pets can help you be more proactive about your dog's or cat's oral health.
Our goal is to lower the number of pets affected by
gum disease in any way we can while meeting the highest possible standards in veterinary dental medicine.
Fortunately, you can
prevent gum disease by making sure you're taking proper care of your dog's teeth.
Studies show that 70 percent of cats have signs of
gum disease by age three.
It is no surprise that the risks of
gum disease as we age increases in step with the decline in saliva production.
Dogs can suffer
from gum disease which can cause bad breath and they also suffer from plaque buildup, another source of bad breath.
For example, studies have shown a link
between gum disease in dogs and an increase in the occurrence of canine heart disease.
These two concepts, to prevent disease and to create health, are central to
fighting gum disease and they are important in different ways.
Senior dogs, who suffer from
advanced gum disease or who have already lost teeth, can benefit from dog food formulas high in moisture content which is easier for them to consume.
In fact, more than 75 % of dogs
get gum disease by middle age, which can affect more than their tooth health.
Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to dental problems
like gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and oral cancer.
Bone loss or a blood infection are two of the more serious symptoms
if gum disease is left untreated.
Reasons for weight loss vary greatly,
including gum disease, tooth problems, reduced caloric intake, tumors in the stomach or intestines, worms, or cancer.
It is also worth noting that people have
gum disease while they are pregnant have been shown to increase the chances of giving birth to low birth weight children.
We've seen
how gum disease starts with bacterial imbalance and inflammation.
Small breed dogs are more prone to
gum disease because they have a lot of teeth crowded into a small space, making cleaning more difficult.
As a pet owner, it's important for you to know the signs of
gum disease so you can be more proactive about your canine or feline companion's dental health.
Over the years I have found that cats fed dry diets have less tartar build up on their teeth and
less gum disease surrounding the teeth.
Since gum disease is linked to inflammation and other health conditions like heart disease, this is about more than just a pretty smile.
While brushing alone won't necessarily
stop gum disease, there is a particular method of brushing that was discovered years ago that more effectively fights these harmful strains of bacteria in the mouth.
Over the years I have found that dogs fed dry diets have less tartar build up on their teeth and less
gum disease surrounding the teeth.
I was concerned about them as I have diabetes and
gum disease often affects those who have diabetes.
Many plans offer full mouth x-rays every two years for preventative care which can be important in diagnosing many types of tooth or
gum disease other than tooth decay.
DNA from a diarrhea - inducing stomach bug and
several gum disease pathogens turned up in his plaque.
More serious problems begin to occur when the bacteria present in the mouth from
gum disease travel to other parts of the body.
Thus,
gum disease really is one of the main pathways, like a gateway disease, that helps support the conditions that allow system wide diseases to establish and flourish.
Some women are at greater risk of
gum disease during pregnancy if their folic acid levels are low.
Just a few drops a day added to her regular drinking water are all that is needed to help her
stay gum disease free.
If your pet has this problem, it's important for him to have an oral exam as it could
indicate gum disease or another oral health issue.
This will help to promote fresh breath and prevent the build up of plaque and tartar which can cause unpleasant breath and
gum disease leading to painful loss of teeth.
Just like people, dogs can develop
gum disease brought on by buildup of plaque and tartar on teeth.
This is the beginning of long -
term gum disease and inflammation because bacteria are active under the gum line.
The bacteria in the mouth causes bad breath and
gum disease locally but they also spread to the intestines, liver, heart and kidneys causing premature deterioration of these vital organs.
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