Gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontal disease can affect dogs, as well as humans. Gum disease can cause considerable pain and tooth loss. If a dog has a lot of mouth pain, then they will have trouble eating. This will affect their overall health. Gum disease can also affect the vital organs if left untreated.
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Causes
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Gingivitis and periodontitis are caused by bacteria growth in the gums due to trapped and decaying food in the teeth. The causes for this can be jaw defects, injuries or the dog never shed all of his baby teeth.
First Symptoms
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According to Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, the first symptom of gum disease will be bad breath. The dog's gums will look swollen and reddish.
Later Symptoms
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As gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, the dog will drool more often, tilt his head to one side in order to eat and experience difficulty eating.
Treatment
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Treatment is similar to humans, but the dog needs to be anesthetized. The teeth are then scaled, cleaned or (if needed) pulled. Care is continued at home with regular brushing and sometimes a round of antibiotics.
Fun Fact
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According to Dr. Daniel T. Carmichael, DVM, periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs.
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