Dental Disease in Dogs: Causes of Periodontitis

Dog periodontitis can be categorized into various types, such as congenital, bacterial, physical, and metabolic, with different causes for each type. Physical factors contributing to dog periodontitis include accidental ingestion of wood shavings, wires, fish hooks, burrs, or other foreign objects, which can lead to oral injuries and subsequent ulcers. Learn more about the causes of dog periodontitis below.

Understanding the Causes of Dog Periodontitis

Dog periodontitis can be attributed to several factors, including congenital, bacterial, physical, and metabolic causes.

1. Physical Factors: Physical factors that can lead to dog periodontitis include the dog accidentally swallowing fish bones or other sharp objects, causing oral injuries and leading to ulcers. Additionally, ingestion of heavy metals or irritant medications may cause oral burns or corrosive inflammation, leading to periodontitis symptoms.

2. Fungal Factors: Fungi like Candida albicans and dermatophytes can trigger dog periodontitis.

3. Bacterial Factors: Bacteria like clostridia and spirochetes are part of the normal microbial flora in a dog's mouth. However, under certain triggers, these bacteria can cause necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, stomatitis, and other oral issues, potentially leading to infections.

4. Metabolic Factors: Metabolic factors contributing to dog periodontitis are primarily chronic dysfunction and dehydration, leading to oral dryness and exacerbating periodontitis. This includes conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease. Additionally, diseases like uremia, hypothyroidism, secondary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin deficiencies, chronic gastritis, and gastric ulcers can increase the incidence of dog periodontitis.

Diagnosis of Dog Periodontitis

1. The main symptoms of dog periodontitis include halitosis, drooling, swollen gums, recession, exposed tooth roots, and loose teeth. In severe cases, pus may be visible in the gum pockets or released when the gums are pressed. Some dogs may exhibit specific symptoms, such as increased hunger but fear of eating; sudden howling when the inflamed area is stimulated; or gradual weight loss over an extended period.

2. During an oral examination, you may observe redness and swelling of the oral mucosa, tongue, and gums, as well as the presence of ulcers or granuloma formation.

3. Radiographic examinations may reveal localized bone resorption around the tooth sockets and abscesses at the tip of the tooth roots.

Prevention and Treatment of Dog Periodontitis

When a dog has periodontitis, it usually requires anesthesia to thoroughly clean its teeth by removing tartar and plaque. Additionally, the teeth should be polished to reduce the likelihood of tartar and plaque reattachment. Dogs with periodontitis should have any decayed teeth extracted promptly. After extraction, apply iodine glycerin, and treat the dog with antibiotics and multivitamin B complexes. Regularly check and clean the dog's mouth and teeth, and feed solid foods, providing bones and chew toys to exercise its teeth and gums. Finally, to minimize the risk of periodontitis, ensure the dog maintains good oral hygiene and keep its mouth clean.