Dogs are widely considered as an important part of the family. Having a loyal pet is one of the most comforting things to go home to after a long day at school or work. That is why we feel worried whenever they are showing signs of weakness, periodontal disease, and other illnesses. Dog swollen gums for example would make them uninterested in eating, playing, or doing their usual activities.
In this article, we are going to discuss the periodontal disease, gum infections, proper dental care, and how to avoid swollen gums.
Understanding Periodontal Disease
Your dogs’ gum condition has a huge impact on their overall health. Swollen gums can indicate gingivitis, this is an inflammation in the gums that could result in a serious dental disease. Gingivitis often starts with plaque and tartar stuck on the teeth and gums of the dog eventually causing redness and pain. If left untreated, gingivitis could lead to severe complications in the organ including the heart and the liver.
Swollen gums are often caused by the bacterias that gradually formed in the teeth and gums of the dog because of improper dental care. Without oral brushing, the minerals in the dogs’ saliva will make the plaque hard, leading to tartar. When this happens, the gum recession will take place. This condition could be painful and uncomfortable for your dog and immediate consultation with the vet is recommended.
Signs And Symptoms Of Swollen Gums
Periodontal disease is most common in the small breed and younger dogs. This is because their tiny teeth are more prone to gingivitis due to its tightness. This will make them suffer from swollen gums at a young age. According to studies, at least 80% of dogs over the age of three are already showing symptoms of gingivitis. Oral problems can also be anticipated because of bad breath.
There are different stages of gingivitis leading to periodontal disease that your dog will go through if their dental health is not checked regularly.
- Initial gingivitis. At this stage, you will notice tartar and plaque build-up on the teeth. you will also notice that the gums are getting reddish and swollen. this is too early for them to feel pain so most of the time, dogs proceed to stage 2 unnoticed.
- Moderate gingivitis. At this point, the plaque and tartars presence is evident on the gums, they will also start to exhibit bad breath, and gum inflammation is starting to emerge.
- Advanced gingivitis. Bleeding will now start to occur on the swollen gums. The recession of the gum will also begin giving way to bacterias to flourish underneath the teeth. An extreme foul odor in the mouth will also be very evident.
Periodontal disease can be prevented by simply following proper dental care for dogs, giving them dental chews or dental treats can help in cleaning up the entire mouth.
Home Remedies
A professional diagnosis is important to make sure that your dogs’ periodontal disease doesn’t get worse and end up in complications. However, several home remedies have proven effective in easing the pain, redness, and swelling temporarily. Here are some of the home remedies that you can try to revive your dog’s swollen gums:
- To keep your dog’s dental health in shape, use a dog mouthwash regularly. This product will eliminate foul odors, it will also minimize the build-up of bacterias in the mouth, and give your dog a fresher breath.
- Induce Vitamin C. This will strengthen your dog’s resistance to bacterias and help them fight off infections. It can also lessen the swelling and redness around the mouth.
- Calendula lotion remedy is a viable option as well. It helps in healing mouth sores. Just simply put a small amount of the lotion in the infected area.
- Chlorhexidine, a chemical that can eliminate bacterial microbes immediately. Use a 2 percent solution of chlorhexidine in cleaning your dog’s mouth regularly.
Remember that these are home remedy suggestions only and the result may vary on the severity of the condition of the gums.
Clinical Treatment And Procedures
When you resort to professional diagnosis and treatments, your dog will m
ost likely be put to sleep to thoroughly clean their swollen gums including the teeth. The vet will use a machine called an electrocardiograph to monitor their heart rate while they are asleep and undergoing procedure.
Once the anesthesia takes place, an x-ray will be taken to examine all the dental problems that are not noticeable right away. Evidence of decaying tooth, receding gums, and tooth abscess will be determined accordingly.
The vet will then start the necessary treatments that your dog may need basing on the x-ray. The duration of the procedure will depend on the extremity of the dog’s periodontal disease. After this, the vet will determine if your dog will need medication to help in healing the gums and reduce the pain that may occur due to the gum cleaning.
An anti-inflammatory pain relief drug may be prescribed to the dog to deal with any discomfort caused by pain due to gum infection. Antibiotics are also prescribed to fight infections specifically tooth abscess that might take place because of periodontal disease. Dogs with severe conditions are often given antibiotics.
Preventing Swollen Gums
Dog owners are advised to take responsibility for their dog’s dental and overall health. Proper dental care could go a long way if it is done regularly. Swollen gums leading to complicated periodontal disease can be prevented by :
- Visiting the dog vet regularly. A physical check-up will include examining the dental, heart, liver, organs, and overall health status of the dog. If they are starting to show signs of swollen gums, it will be treated as earlier as possible and emerging dental problems will be prevented.
- Daily brushing of teeth. Just like humans, dogs develop tartar and plaque too because of the food that they eat. Brushing their teeth twice a day will remove the plaque that they accumulated for the day, tartar and bacterias will not be a problem if the plaque is removed regularly.
- Ensure a healthy diet. Foods high in sugar are the main cause of bacteria build-up. Dentists believe that raw meaty foods are essential in keeping their oral health in good condition. These kinds of food can stimulate chewing and keep the gums clean. Raw foods have enzymes that combat bacterial plaque.
- Provide toys and dog treats. Some toys are specially designed to help in cleaning the dog’s mouth. Pets tend to chew on almost everything they lay their teeth on, toys like this will satisfy their need to chew and at the same time, clean their gums and teeth.
Giving your dog the best treatment and care has its own reward. A dog with a healthy dental condition will benefit in so many ways. Healthy teeth and gums are an indication that the dog is healthy in general. They live a long and happier life because they are not experiencing any illness that hinders them from doing their activities. Dog owners play a vital role in monitoring and examining their dogs regularly. Failure to do so may result in illnesses such as liver disease, heart problems, diabetes, and other organ damage. Some of which can be fatal and cause irreversible harm to the pet.
