Bad breath or oral disease in older dogs

Plaque or tartar film: A yellow or brown substance is formed on the teeth. If the owner does not take care of the dog's teeth, the dog's teeth will slowly develop plaque. Plaque refers to the microorganisms that adhere to the surface of the teeth or other soft tissues in the mouth. It is composed of a large number of bacteria, intercellular substances, a small number of white blood cells, exfoliated epithelial cells and food debris, etc., and is mostly attached to teeth and gum plaque.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a precursor to periodontitis and causes redness of the gums, especially around the teeth. Since dogs do not know how to clean their teeth, when they eat countless times, a lot of food residue will accumulate on their gums, causing bacteria to grow there. After bacteria enter the gums, they will inflame the gum tissue and cause pain. If not treated in time, it will quickly develop into periodontitis, which will then cause bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss.

Periodontal disease:Periodontal disease is a common dental disease in dogs. If tartar is not treated properly, dental calculus will slowly form, and the accumulation of dental calculus will This will lead to the emergence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease causes the gums to become swollen, inflamed, and bleed, severely damaging the gum tissue, causing teeth to loosen significantly, and ultimately leading to massive tooth loss.

Tooth decay: Although it is relatively rare in elderly dogs, there is still the problem of tooth decay. The main cause of tooth decay is the accumulation of food residues in the mouth, and then bacteria use the food residues to In order to keep growing nutrients, an acidic substance will be produced during reproduction. When this acidic substance comes into contact with the teeth, it will slowly dissolve the calcium on the teeth and form tooth decay. Tooth decay can cause gum pain, tooth necrosis, and loss of appetite in dogs.

Complicated symptoms of oral diseases in elderly dogs

1. Bad breath, odor in the mouth, plaque on the teeth, tartar on the gum line, inflammation, redness and swelling of the gums and bleeding.
2. Loss of interest in chew toys. This may be a gradual change.
3. Picky eaters, sometimes only eat soft food, or chew with only one tooth or swallow directly.
4. Rub the mouth with your paws.
5. Secrete more saliva.

How to treat bad breath in elderly dogs

Brushing teeth: If the dog’s plaque or calculus symptoms are not serious, the owner can use a soft towel and disinfectant Dip a little saline gauze into the gums and teeth and brush them gently to avoid damaging the gums. If you find food left between your teeth, you can use small tweezers to pinch it out.
Use toothbrushes and chewing toys: When there is dental plaque, it is recommended to use mechanical cleaning methods, such as toothbrushes and chewing toys, to avoid continued accumulation of dental calculus.
Professional dental cleaning by a veterinarian: If dental calculus forms, it will be hard and difficult to clean, so it is recommended that a professional veterinarian clean the dog’s teeth.
Tooth extraction: When oral disease is serious, it may affect the heart, kidney function and other systemic diseases. Therefore, if the function of the dog’s teeth is not chewing, and the disease prevents the dog from eating, it should be removed. Go to the hospital immediately to have the diseased tooth extracted to avoid bacterial infection.