Gum Disease in Dogs

Gum disease in Dogs Infographic by Emma Nutter at Pet Providers % Dogs that Suffering from Periodontitis at some point in their life Gum disease in dogs is also known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is graded by severity in stages from one to four. Grade four is irreversible. Grade I 95% Grade III or above 20% 80% of Dogs over the age of three will have periodontal disease Periodontal disease can cause: Tooth loss Oral pain I Heart Disease Liver Disease Infection Unlike humans, dogs can't brush their teeth. Over time tartar builds up on the teeth. Eventually the build up of tartar causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. Signs of Gum Disease Take Your Dog to the Vets for Regular Check ups Bad breath Drooling Difficulty chewing Some vets offer free dental check-ups. See if there's one in your area! Catching gum disease early is important in delaying the progression. Even if you don't notice any symptoms, you should still take your dog for regular check-ups. Pawing at mouth Inflamed gums Tooth loss Irritable mood Prevent Gum Disease You can prevent gum disease, or at least slow the progress considerably by: Brush your dog's teeth everyday! Feeding your dog hard kibbles - soft food is more likely to stick to the teeth. Additionally, the hard kibbles will help to scrape off the Don't use a human tooth brush or tooth paste. Get a soft dog tooth brush from a pet shop. Your vet may be able to give you a mouthwash or toothpaste that tastes lovely to dogs! tartar. Feeding your dog a dental chew every few days. TREATING GUM DISEASE Professional Teeth Cleaning In the procedure your vet will remove the tartar that is causing the periodontitis. They may also remove the teeth themselves. Eventually your dog may require professional teeth cleaning under anaesthetic. Get your pet insured! Check that your insurance company covers periodontitis and get your dog insured. This is a common and very safe procedure.