Top 10 Dog Maladies: Dental Disease
Dental disease is a highly common, often painful, and preventable condition in dogs, affecting most by age 3. It starts as plaque that turns into tartar, causing gingivitis and potentially severe periodontitis, which leads to tooth loss, pain, and if untreated, infections affecting organs like the heart and kidneys.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Lack of dental care: Plaque builds up and hardens into tartar within 24–48 hours.
- Affected Breeds: Small and toy breeds are more prone due to smaller spaces between teeth.
- Age: Older dogs have a higher risk of developing severe periodontal disease.
Common Symptoms
- Persistent Bad breath
- Visible tartar (brown/yellow buildup)
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Reluctance to eat
- Pawing at the mouth
Prevention and Treatment
- Daily Brushing: The most effective way to prevent plaque buildup.
- Professional Cleaning: Regular, veterinary-supervised dental cleanings under anesthesia to remove hardened tartar.
- Dental Diets/Chews: Specialized food and toys can help reduce plaque.
Nutritional Support: Consider Probiotics
Probiotics can significantly aid in managing and preventing canine dental disease by balancing the oral microbiome, reducing harmful bacteria, and minimizing plaque and gingivitis.
Key Benefits and Functionality
- Preventive Action: Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria that outcompete pathogens that cause bad breath, plaque buildup, and gum inflammation.
- Targeted Species: Specific lactobacillus species such as L. plantarum L.salivarious, L. acidophilus, and L.reuteri have shown effectiveness in reducing oral infections. Nusentia’s Probiotic Miracle includes all of these species in its formulation https://nusentia.com/products/probiotics-dogs-cats
- Complementary Care: While they reduce plaque and, when used in a 14-day protocol, can slow gingivitis, they work best as part of a comprehensive dental care regimen that may include regular brushing or veterinary cleanings.
- Immune System Support: Probiotics contribute to reducing systemic inflammation, which is linked to periodontal disease.
While probiotics are highly effective for prevention and slowing progression, they are not a cure for existing advanced periodontal disease. The steps discussed in this article should be taken to specifically address the condition; then probiotics can be an important complimentary piece to maintain proper dental health for your dog.
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