Oral hygiene for dogs is important—and not just because it gets rid of bad breath. Periodontal disease in dogs can cause a whole host of problems beyond the mouth, but some products make it easy to treat and prevent canine dental disease.
Most pet parents know by now that taking care of their dog’s oral hygiene is important. You’ve probably even had your vet tell you that you should be brushing your dog’s teeth or giving them special dental chews.
But what happens if you don’t pay attention to your fur baby’s dental health? You might be surprised to learn that neglected periodontal disease can have far-reaching effects for your pup, including problems with their heart, lungs, and immune system.
Canine Periodontal Disease Stages
When a dog’s oral hygiene is ignored, plaque will build up on their teeth. The bacteria in the plaque eat sugars and create acids that can cause cavities.
When plaque is ignored, it hardens into tartar, causing irritation, swelling, and redness of the gums. This is called gingivitis, and it’s a mild form of gum disease. Untreated gingivitis can progress into early, moderate, and then advanced periodontal disease.
Effects of Canine Gum Disease Inside Your Dog’s Mouth
Periodontal disease affects dogs in much the same way it impacts humans. Depending on how advanced it is, canine gum disease can cause:
- Bad breath
- Tenderness and pain
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling
- Infections and abscesses
- Receding gums
- Damage to the jawbone
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
One of the things with dogs is that they often hide their pain from their parents, so you may have no idea that your fur baby is suffering.
How Periodontal Disease Can Spread Beyond the Mouth
Although gum disease starts in the mouth, it doesn’t always stay there. If your dog’s oral health is ignored for too long, then there’s a chance that an infection in the mouth could allow bacteria to enter your dog’s bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body.
Some of the organs that are most at risk include the heart, liver, and kidneys. But that’s not all: your dog’s respiratory system and lymph nodes can also become infected and inflamed. Depending on how the infection spreads, periodontal disease can cause endocarditis in the heart, pneumonia in the lungs, and more.
Beyond that, periodontal disease can even make diabetes worse and cause problems for your pup’s immune system.
Managing Oral Health Without Having to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Do you laugh to yourself when your vet tells you that you should brush your pup’s teeth? If so, you’re not alone! Luckily, there are easier ways to manage your dog’s oral hygiene.
Swedencare USA has dental bites, dental bones, and holistic soft bites that are delicious and nutritious, and they also have the proven ProDen PlaqueOff System™ to fight plaque, tartar, and bad breath. Your dog will agree—there’s no tastier way to prevent and manage canine gum disease!
Visit Swedencare USA to see their full line of dental care treats for dogs and other products.
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Canadian Dogs is the definitive resource for helping people find and care for their new best friend. Featuring all the breed information you expect but with a fresh new approach. Published by one of Canada’s foremost pet publishers and distributed across Canada, this exciting publication is supported by leading breed experts, veterinarians, trainers, nutritionists and groomers.
