Mary Allen
Inflammation of the gums affects dogs surprisingly often: 85% of all dogs in Germany suffer from it at least once in their lives.
Gingivitis is painful and requires urgent treatment.
The article explains how such inflammation can develop, how to prevent it and how to treat it.
In a nutshell: How do I recognize gingivitis in my dog?
A dog with gingivitis avoids touching its mouth and teeth. As a result, he usually eats even less because chewing causes him pain.
The gums are dark red and swollen and the teeth are covered with yellow deposits.
Bad breath is unpleasant and his saliva may be bloody if teeth are already loose.
Recognizing gingivitis: These are the symptoms
The most noticeable sign of gingivitis is dark red, swollen gums around the base of the tooth.
If you press lightly on the gum, the spot turns white.
Caution:
The inflammation is very painful and your dog is likely to be very tender at the site.
He can shy away and even react to it with unusual aggression.
Yellow deposits called plaque are found on the teeth themselves.
In many dogs, the bad breath has changed, they almost stink from the mouth.
If this odor is putrid, the inflammation is already well advanced and must be treated immediately.
Loose teeth can be the result or cause of gingivitis.
Therefore, it is not uncommon to see some blood in the saliva. This is not insignificant, but you should not panic: even a few drops of blood stain very intensively.
Dogs with gingivitis are increasingly avoiding solid food because they cannot chew it without pain.
They are often very restless because of the pain, withdraw and show unusual behavior such as heavy panting and salivating.
Causes of gingivitis in dogs
As in humans, the main cause of gingivitis is poor dental hygiene.
Plaque and tartar provide a good breeding ground for bacteria to settle in the mouth, which in the long term lead to inflammation of the gums.
Soft food also promotes tartar, as it does not rub it off, in contrast to dry food.
Inappropriate chew toys, such as sticks and stones, can cause small injuries in the mouth where bacteria can enter.
Dogs that eat feces are also at a higher risk because bacteria are also excreted in the feces.
Dental problems are often associated with a rare pre-existing condition such as diabetes mellitus, a kidney problem or an immune disorder.
This is often due to the special food they depend on, which is why good dental hygiene is even more important to them.
Crushed breeds with short snouts suffer from gingivitis more often than average because their teeth are very close together or twisted, making cleaning difficult.
Treatment of gingivitis in dogs
Gingivitis should always be checked out by a veterinarian.
In addition to the gums, this also checks the teeth and the tooth necks for the severity of the inflammation.
Because untreated gingivitis is often followed by periodontitis (inflammation of the entire periodontium) or periodontal disease (shrinking of the gums).
These are serious diseases that take longer to treat and are even more painful.
Depending on the findings, the vet then prescribes an anti-inflammatory drug such as antibiotics or prescribes tinctures that have to be applied to the gums for a while.
This is usually a mixture of chlorhexidine and table salt, which is used as a rinse or gel.
The use of painkillers takes place according to need and the willingness of the dog to cooperate.
If teeth are already loose or ulcerated with no hope of improvement, they must be extracted under anesthesia.
In the worst case, when an inflammation has already attacked the jawbone, a major operation is required in the entire facial area to remove pus and inflammation.
As soon as painlessly possible, a professional tooth cleaning takes place to remove plaque and tartar to prevent renewed inflammation.
Prevent gingivitis
The most effective way to prevent gingivitis and all other dental diseases is to brush your teeth.
It should take place about twice a week. It is essential to use special toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs.
Because the bristles of a conventional toothbrush are too hard for dogs and the toothpaste is unsuitable for their oral flora – the taste also reduces the willingness of dogs to cooperate.
Brushing your teeth needs to be practiced as it is unfamiliar to the dog and requires a lot of trust.
You should regularly examine the whole dog, including the mouth.
Check the gums and teeth for discoloration and tenderness. If your dog allows it, look for loose teeth.
Regular dental check-ups and professional dental cleanings at the vet are part of the standard preventive care plan.
Chewing sticks that are supposed to prevent gingivitis should be viewed with skepticism: They often contain sugar and usually have the same rubbing effect as dry food.
Tip:
You can also make toothpaste suitable for dogs yourself:
4 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp baking soda
1 tsp beef broth
1 sprig of parsley (chopped)
Mix into a paste and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Caution: Check beforehand whether your dog is allergic to coconut oil.
Home remedies for gingivitis
In puppies, a sprinkling of cold chamomile tea can help, especially when gingivitis begins.
They can develop a small amount of inflammation from the stress of erupting teeth. Chamomile soothes the tissue and works against inflammation.
A notice:
Homeopathic remedies are strictly discouraged.
Not only do these contain no active ingredient, leaving the inflammation untreated, which can have dire consequences, but they are usually administered with sugar, which further attacks poor dental status.
What color is healthy and inflamed gums in dogs?
Healthy gums are bright red and firm. When pressed lightly with a finger, it does not change color significantly and does not hurt.
Inflamed gums, on the other hand, are significantly darker and visibly swollen. If you press it, it turns white at that point.
However, the natural color of the gums must always be assumed.
Because some breeds have dark or even black pigmented gums, which can distort the impression.
Conclusion
Gingivitis in dogs is painful. It definitely needs to be treated, otherwise, it will get worse and become a serious health threat.
Preventing such inflammation requires regular use and care.
But it’s worth it, because the risk of gingivitis is very high without prophylaxis.
Has your dog ever had gum disease? what helped him Tell us your story in the comments and leave us your insider tips for a healthy mouth!