If your dog experience bleeding gums when you’re brushing their teeth, it can indicate gum disease or other adverse health problems. Like ourselves, we need to take care of our dog’s dental health religiously. Brushing their teeth should not be done on a whim, it should be treated as something important. Many pet owners fail to recognize the significance of their pet’s oral health. Some would settle for giving them dental chew toys, and that’s it. They don’t understand that their dogs can also develop gingivitis which causes bleeding gums and a gum disease called periodontal disease, which affects your dog’s jaw bone and ligaments.
According to this dental expert, gingivitis is also common in dogs as well as in humans. So, the importance of your pet’s oral health should never be taken for granted. Bleeding gums can affect your dog’s entire lifestyle. They use their mouths more often than humans in their everyday life. So, if we don’t take care of their oral needs, they may end up timid, unresponsive, and stressed.
Bleeding Gums: Understanding Dog Gingivitis
Like all other forms of gum disease, knowledge and understanding are the keys to fight it effectively. Let’s first define what gingivitis is for dogs to provide the best and most efficient treatment.
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that causes bleeding gums and bad breath. If left untreated, it can develop into other types of infection that may spread to other organs, and ultimately lead to fatality. This gum disease is reversible and can be treated effectively if detected early. The signs and symptoms are usually bleeding gums, tenderness, swelling, bad breath, and black tongue.
- Periodontal Gum Disease: This type of gum disease causes infection to the gums making your dog’s teeth loose. It affects the gum tissue and ligaments that usually causes bleeding gums and tooth loss. This condition is serious, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Signs of Gum Disease and Other Dental Problems
- Bad breath or dog breath
- Teeth sensitivity
- Loss of appetite, weight loss, and low energy levels
- Yellowish or brownish deposits on the teeth’s surface
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth or falling teeth
- Incessant pawing or clawing on the face
- Difficulty chewing
Other Possible Causes
Aside from gum disease, other factors may cause bleeding gums like foreign objects, chewing on hard or sharp toys, or ingesting poisonous substances. It’s important to observe your dog’s behaviour and surroundings to avoid these kinds of situations. If vomiting is apparent, it would be best if you contact your veterinary as soon as possible.
Bleeding Gums and Gum Disease Treatment
Recommended Items:
- Dog toothbrush
- Dog toothpaste
Tip: Make sure that you only use products that are specifically made for dogs. A human’s toothbrush may not have the right contours and shape that can clean the surface of your dog’s teeth effectively. It may also cause bleeding gums that can lead to infection and gum disease. Also, always use a toothpaste that is specifically formulated to dogs. Some ingredients from a human’s toothpaste contain baking soda elements that may cause an upset stomach to your pets. Another advantage of dog toothpaste is the availability of flavours that are not commonly found in human’s toothpaste. Flavours like beef, vegetable, and poultry, can be delightful to your pets.
Brushing Technique
Brushing your dog’s teeth requires special care and technique. You can’t just jump into it and start brushing relentlessly. If done incorrectly, you increase the risks of dog gums bleeding when brushing and getting bitten. You have to be careful and patient at all times. So, here are the techniques to keep brushing fun and safe to you and your dog:
- Let your dog choose the toothpaste. Allow your pet to sniff out their preferred flavour and use it.
- Brush only when your dog is at a calm state. It isn’t easy to brush the teeth of an excited dog.
- Lift your dog’s cheeks and gently touch their teeth with your fingers with a small amount of toothpaste.
- When your dog gets used to the feeling, gently brush their teeth with a toothbrush.
- Make sure that all the surface of their teeth is thoroughly cleaned.
- Brush as long as your dog allows you to. Never impose your will to finish.
- If your dog disapproves of the process, use a cloth instead.
- Make sure that you brush on the gumlines.
- Be sure to complete the process fast. About thirty-second, each side is enough.
Tips on How to Keep Your Dog’s Oral Health on Top Shape
Aside from regular brushing, there are also other steps that you can try to keep your dog’s oral health on top condition. Here are some of the most effective tips:
- Give your dogs a dental chewing toy
- Limit the consumption of dog foods with high acidity contents
- Do not let your dog’s chew on hard and sharp objects
- Control the consumption of table scraps
- Make sure that you never feed them chocolate
- Prevent them from gnawing from garbage bins
- Visit your veterinary annually or when needed in cases of emergency
Note: Smaller dog breeds are more susceptible to gum disease and bleeding gums. If you’re an owner of small dogs, be sure to double the effort in taking care of their oral health.
Final Thoughts
Dogs are very much a part of our family than just mere pets. They are capable of providing love and affection to all members of the family. Their oral health must always be in tip-top condition. Just imagine what could happen to them if they develop an infection that may cost them their lives. Also, they use their teeth more than we do so; it is paramount that their mouth is always healthy. Unlike humans, they pick up things and objects with their teeth, especially during play. If their teeth and gums are compromised, their entire being is affected. It could be the catalyst of your dog’s untimely demise. If you love your dog, you should value their health as much as you value yours. More importantly, it would be wise to visit your vets regularly.