Dental hygiene isn’t what we usually focus on when it comes to our dog's health.  We tend to focus on diet and exercise, with regular vet checkups for good measure. But, dental hygiene plays a huge part in canine wellness. Gum disease in dogs is common and affects around 80% of dogs by age three. Sadly, these numbers are increasing, even in raw fed animals.

Gum disease can lead to serious systemic health issues that impact our dogs overall quality of life and is something we need to a) be aware of, and b) take all necessary steps to avoid because it is far worse to try to reverse gum disease, not just dental decay further down the track.

Understanding Gum Disease in Dogs

Gum disease is a progressive condition.  It starts when plaque and bacteria accumulate along the gum line. Just like for us humans, this buildup of bacteria leads to inflammation, infection, and eventual deterioration of the tissues that support the teeth. This is typically a 3-fold process, starting with gingivitis.  Left untreated it can lead to the more severe periodontitis.

Food particles and bacteria begin to form plaque, a sticky film that adheres to the tooth surface. If the plaque isn’t removed regularly through brushing or chewing, it develops into tartar, and tartar can only be removed through professional cleaning. Once we have tartar build up, the problems begin.  Tartar creates pockets between the teeth and the gums where harmful bacteria can thrive.  This in turn leads to inflammation, bleeding, and eventually the destruction of the tissue.

Look out for the Warning Signs

Sadly, early signs are often missed because dogs are very good at hiding their pain. But there are telltale signs that dental problems are on their way.  One sign is bad breath.  This is one of the most noticeable signs, but pet parents first need to look past the ‘it’s just dog breath’ mentality and take further steps to check for gum disease.  Yes, some ‘bad breath’ is normal in dogs, but persistent bad breath can be a sign of bacterial overgrowth in the mouth.

Some other signs include:

•        Yellow or brown tartar buildup along the gum line,
•        Bleeding gums when eating/chewing,
•        Pawing at the face or mouth,
•        Red/swollen gums,
•        Difficulty eating/chewing,
•        Loose, broken or missing teeth.

In advanced cases of gum disease, your dog might show visible signs of pain.  This could look like a reluctance to eat hard food, showing discomfort while eating or dropping their food while eating.

The Implications of Gum Disease

Gum disease is only a mouth problem, right?  Well no.  Gum disease has far worse implications than simple oral discomfort. The dental disease affects way more than just the mouth.  The mouth is simply the starting point.  The bacteria causing the gum disease don't remain confined to the mouth. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the inflamed gum tissues and travel throughout the body.  When this happens the vital organs (including the heart, liver, and kidneys) can potentially be affected. The risk of more serious conditions such as endocarditis, kidney disease and liver problems then become much higher.  Even arthritis has been linked to gum disease.

Severe gum disease can also cause tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and chronic pain. Dogs suffering from advanced gum disease can experience a change in their behaviour that include a reluctance to play, eat, or engage in their usual fun activities.  This is as a result of the persistent oral pain they are experiencing. Yet another symptom can be abscesses.  If these abscesses rupture, they may cause complications that require a trip to the emergency vet.

Prevention first

Good news!  Gum disease is largely preventable with regular dental care. This is not only a more effective option than treatment, it costs less AND means less stress and discomfort for your beloved dog.

Regularly brushing your dogs’ teeth will always be top of the list for preventing gum disease in our dogs. Choose a dog-specific toothpaste (or, brush with MicroMed!) and soft-bristled brush (or silicone fingerbrush) and aim to brush your dog's teeth several times a week, or daily, even better. Introduce tooth brushing gradually, giving your dog a chance to get familiar and comfortable with having their teeth brushed.  Another option for teeth cleaning is an ultra-sonic teeth cleaner, however, be aware that there is an ultrasonic sound emitted by this form of tooth cleaner and although as humans we  cannot hear it, some dogs do not like the high pitched sonic sound.  To work around this a longer period of time turning it on and off to ‘acclimatise’ them to the sound, may be required before actually using it on them.   It can be very satisfying to literally see the plaque drop off on contact with the ultra-sonic tooth cleaner though.

Tips for brushing teeth

Start with gently touching your dog's muzzle and lips.  You want them to feel comfortable having someone touching their mouth first, before you start brushing their teeth.  Next, gently lift the lips and touch the teeth and gums. When your dog feels more comfortable, introduce the toothbrush and toothpaste or MicroMed.  Let him taste and investigate.

Once you’ve moved on to brushing, focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth where plaque usually builds up. Use gentle, circular motions and pay attention to the gum line where bacteria tends to collect. Don't worry about brushing the inner surfaces of the teeth in the beginning, as your dog's tongue naturally helps clean these areas.

Additional Tools and Strategies

Besides regular brushing, what can you do to look after your dogs dental hygiene?

• Add raw bones to your dogs diet.  Bones are part of a species-appropriate diet and a great, natural way to clean their teeth.
• Regularly wash your dogs toys and food bowls.
• Diversify.  Your dogs diet needs to be diverse AND it needs to be carbohydrate free! 
• Add probiotics like MicroMed’s Oral Everyday Probiotics for Dogs.  Probiotics help maintain balance in the microbiome of the mouth that influences the overall wellbeing of your dog.

Start today!

Dental health is an extremely important part of your dog's wellbeing and deserves the same attention as all other areas of their health. A consistent dental hygiene routine  can help prevent gum disease and ensure your dog can enjoy a healthier, more comfortable life.  Always remember to focus on prevention first.  The time you invest in maintaining your dog's oral health will pay off in happy dog smiles and way less money having to be spent at the vets!