Periodontal Disease: Gum Disease in Dogs

Periodontal disease, also known, as gum disease in dogs is silent but destructive. It shows no signs in the beginning but when not given medical attention, it worsens and the next thing you know your dog's mouth is a disaster. As pet parents, we would never want something like this to happen to our furbabies, right?

Causes of periodontal disease in dogs

Gum disease in dogs, also known as periodontal disease, is mainly caused by bacteria that have been staying for quite a while in your furbaby's gums. These then develop plaque that turns into tartar. Tartar builds under the gums and this is what causes your dog's gums to swell and to become irritated. It also eventually results in bone loss & teeth falling out, and to even more serious health problems.

Gum disease is more common in dogs than in humans since dogs have higher levels of alkaline in their mouths than we do. Another reason why it's more common in our furry friends is that our doggos do not have the ability to brush their teeth every day (or to simply brush their teeth, for that matter). That's why bacteria have greater and faster chances to double up.

Even though gum disease happens more in senior dogs, dogs of any age can still develop this especially if they have:

• a compromised immune system
• poor nutrition
• bad chewing behaviors (chewing dirty toys)
• bad grooming habits (licking themselves regularly while rarely given a bath)
• alignment of the teeth (crowded/pressed teeth are more prone to gum disease)
• neglected oral hygiene

Identifying the signs and symptoms

The difficult thing about periodontal disease in dogs is that it begins without showing any symptoms at all. And it will be almost impossible for you to recognize that your furbaby has periodontal disease unless the situation has already worsened.

Simple things you can do is to open your dog's mouth and observe if he has:

• a stinky breath
• red, swollen gums
• yellow and/or brown teeth
• signs of discomfort or pain when eating or chewing

All mentioned are symptoms of mild gum disease in your furbaby. But some of the severe symptoms include:

• a foul-smelling breath
• bleeding gums
• bloody saliva
• loose and/or missing teeth
• bumps and lumps on gums
• head shyness
• decreased to no appetite at all
• sudden weight loss

How pet parents can help prevent periodontal disease in dogs

Provide Safe chew toys.

Yes, we feel you. The variations of a selection of chew toys and treats for our furbabies are overwhelming. But how sure are you these products are made from safe ingredients and do not easily break & splinter? This is why you should always buy from trusted brands like Pet Parents® Gnawtlers that are specifically chosen from Grade A premium raw elk antler for their weight, mass, color, & state. These are far less likely to splinter or break your dog’s teeth, so these are worry-free chews that are likely to last a long time.

We take into account what kind of chewers your dogs are and how sensitive teeth are.

Whole Elk (softer) - typically for average chewers - for aggressive chewers they don't last as long because they are softer.

Split Elk (split so the bone marrow is exposed) - best for senior dogs & puppies who have sensitive teeth.

Whole Deer (harder) - best for aggressive chewers because of being harder & doesn't gnaw down as fast.

Brush every day.

How we care for our oral health is how we should be for our dogs'. While brushing your dog's teeth is a little bit of hard work, patience is key. Brushing every day keeps your dog's teeth (and mouth) clean, and minimizes the presence of plaque-making bacteria.

Ensure your furbaby's health.

To make sure your dog is equipped with the right health boosters, provide Pet Parents® Turmeric for Dogs Supplement that will give your furbaby healthy ingredients that can help promote dog immune support, such as BioPerine®, turmeric for dogs, CurQmin™, & Coconut Oil. These ingredients can help maintain a normal inflammatory response.