Inflammation of the gums or gingivitis is caused in the vast majority of cases by dental plaque and tartar.
Every dog will sooner or later suffer from dental plaque and tartar. Some dogs are very sensitive to this, especially smaller breeds such as the Yorkshire terrier seem to have a predisposition to the (excessive) development of dental plaque and tartar.
Dental plaque is a thin layer of material that deposits on the teeth. If this material calcifies, tartar is formed. The ever-growing tartar can push the gums away so that the tooth root is exposed. Bacteria will also settle in the tartar and in a further stage also the gums, resulting in infection and inflammation of the gums. Eventually, the tooth root will also be affected, causing the tooth to rot and fall out. In this case, one speaks of periodontitis: inflammation of the tissues around the tooth. In a strict sense, gingivitis is a mild form of periodontitis.
In very severe and untreated cases, this hotbed of infection can spread and spread through the blood with very serious symptoms, such as infection of heart valves.
Symptoms
Tartar is a yellow, hard, foul-smelling substance that sits on the teeth. In the early stages, the dog has no symptoms.
With gingivitis, the gums are very red and will bleed easily. The teeth may show caries (cavities) and the gums may have receded, exposing the tooth roots. The teeth will eventually rot, become loose and fall out. The dog will really stink from the mouth at this stage!
Diagnosis
A simple observation of the teeth is usually sufficient for a diagnosis of tartar and gingivitis. The vet may decide to take an X-ray of the teeth to evaluate the condition of the tooth root cavity.
Therapy
The treatment of tartar consists of removing it and the dog will usually be put under anesthesia.
If gingivitis is present, it may be appropriate to undergo a course of antibiotics before removing the tartar.
The rotten teeth present will be treated or removed.
Prognosis
The prognosis for the animal after treatment is excellent. If the teeth are badly affected, they will have to be removed.
Prevention
Gingivitis is a disease that can be prevented or slowed down by a modified diet. Hard chunks instead of soft food have a clear influence on the development of the disease. Dogs that chew a lot have less gum disease. Be careful when giving bones to your dog. Pork and chicken bones in particular can be dangerous. These bones splinter, resulting in possible constipation (blockage) or even perforation (a splinter pierces a hole in the wall) of the intestine.
Dogs that snack on a lot of sweets are more likely to suffer from caries and gingivitis.
