Monday, May 24, 2010

Gingivitis in Dogs = Bad Breath

Dog bad breath is not something that a dog owner will laugh about because of the shame it gives to him whenever friends come over to visit and smells the foul stench. It is important therefore to find the cause of the problem to be able to remedy it as soon as possible. That way, he would be able to feel proud about the pooch he has at home.

One of the main causes of dog’s bad breath a.k.a. halitosis is dog gingivitis. This problem is not only found in humans who fail to regularly brush their teeth but in animals as well. Although this is found in pets like dogs and cats due to irresponsibility of the owners who fail to properly take care of their pets. This is a problem that can easily be remedied if only the owner will spend time 2-3 times a week to clean their dog’s teeth. However, the frequency of teeth brushing becomes daily till the problem is resolved.

What is gingivitis anyway?

This medical condition is characterized by inflammation in the gum tissue that leads to redness and swelling. At times, occasional bleeding in the gum lines occurs. This is commonly brought about by dental plaque. Plaque deposits build up in the teeth when the bacteria that are normally found in the mouth combines with protein and starch that is found in the saliva. Through time, if the teeth are not regularly cleaned or if the plaque deposits are not scraped then the problem becomes worse.

How does gingivitis result in dog bad breath?

The plaque deposits are full of bacteria that create the bad smell associated with bad breath as it combines with the saliva in the mouth. Also, the smell becomes worse as the dog eats food because more bacteria are deposited into the plaque. The saliva itself starts to have a foul odor so bad breath becomes a systemic problem inside the mouth.

How is it treated?

If redness and swelling in the gum line is observed then chances are gingivitis is slowly eating into our dog’s teeth. If caught early, this is not a cause for concern as it can easily be reversed. The dog has to be brought to the vet for a procedure known as ultrasonic scaling where the teeth will be cleaned in the area above and below the gum line. This polishing will immediately stop the buildup of the plaque. After this is done then the bad breath will also be gone. Although this scraping will cause some discomfort to the dog as it would require the use of some anesthetic. Given the need for this medicine, it is best to prevent the appearance of the problem through regular teeth brushing. Besides, gingivitis leads to a more serious teeth medical condition known as dog periodontitis. So it is important to clean your dog’s teeth.

How can this be prevented?

Look at it this way, as it is important to clean our teeth, so it is with dogs. Just clean your dog’s teeth regularly and gingivitis will not claim any of its teeth. A yearly visit to the vet will also be good. Just follow these simple tips and for sure, your pooch will not turn into a bad breath dog.

Labels: , , ,

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home