Pets depend on their human owners to ensure that they are healthy since the animal will not tell you that it has a problem. It is, therefore, your duty to ensure that the health of your dog is preserved. This article discusses some of the issues you should focus upon to detect the onset of dental diseases in your dog.
The Dog's Appetite
The eating habits of your dog can alert you to any dental diseases that may be developing. For example, you should be concerned if your pet is no longer able to chew bones. That change could be due to an infection that causes the dog to feel pain each time he or she tries to chew hard substances. Limited food intake can also signal possible dental problems.
The Breath
You need to pay attention to the breath of your dog if you want to detect possible dental diseases in that dog before the conditions progress and cause serious problems. The easiest sign to look for is bad breath. Stinky breath is an indicator that bacteria is multiplying excessively in the dental structures of your dog. Chew toys can be a great help in cleaning out any food particles that serve as a breeding ground for bacteria.
Gum Appearance
Examine the gums of your dog regularly to establish when they start looking different from their normal appearance. For example, gums usually turn red when an infection has caused the tissues to become inflamed. The gums may also swell when a dental disease or infection develops. Feel the teeth to find out if any is loose. Problems with the gum can easily cause the teeth to loosen and fall out.
Tooth Colour
The colour of the dog's teeth can also help you to know when you should take action to prevent a disease condition from developing or worsening. The dog's teeth may turn brown or yellow if plaque and tartar are accumulating on those teeth. These changes can create favourable conditions for periodontal diseases to develop in your dog. Regular brushing can help to prevent such a situation from arising. Professional cleaning sessions can remove the accumulation of tartar from the dog's teeth.
Dental diseases can be prevented, treated or even reversed in case they are detected early. You should, therefore, schedule a pet consultation with your vet in case you suspect that your dog is developing a dental disease. Adhere to all the recommendations of the vet so that your dog can retain its teeth without having any problems.
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