Gum Problems

[peony]

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I am sure that loads of you out there in K9 land will read this and wonder if I really am this dumb ..........................the answer is YES lol. Anyway, any advice much appreciated please!

Basil is now 5 and still as lively/mad/exuberant as he was as a puppy :thumbsup:

He regularly gets bones/dental chews etc to gnaw on and has pretty good teeth compared to a lot I have seen. He gets fed a complete biscuit as his main meal. ( he does get gravy on it now the weathers cold, but the bowl is empty before the biscuits have had a chance to go soft!)

His breath is a little 'doggy', but by no means unpleasant, but I have noticed that he has a funny kind of ridge just above where his teeth protrude from his gums. I can prod this without it causing him any discomfort, but after looking at various canine dental sites, am now paranoid he has the start of something hideous. These sites all recommend teeth brushing etc and the inclusion of bones in the diet, but none say anything about getting rid of the swelling/ridge .....................do I need to get him looked at by the vet? Does anyone else have or have had a dog with this? I shall try and post a pic later.

Thanks in advance ......... )

 

[lalena]

both of mine have a small ridge over their front teeth. i think its where the tooth ends under the gum. dont quote me, but as one of my dogs is 5mths old, i doubt its any form of decay. it sounds like youre doing a brilliant job of maintaining his teeth (i too have seen some awful states). if in doubt, next vet checkup, get them to look at his teeth :luck:

 

[kirislin]

Is it a browny colour, not white like you would expect teeth to be? If so it sounds like tartar. It needs to come off. Sometimes you can hook your thumbnail under it & get it off that way, just dont dig your thumnail into his gum. Otherwise you might need to get them cleaned by the vet. I think you can buy descalers too. I haven't got this problem with my whippets anymore because I give them bones to chew &/or raw chicken wings after their main meal which work like a toothbrush & get any soft gunk off. I also give them apples.

Linda

 

[peony]

Thanks Lalena :thumbsup: ........................the ridge is actually in the gum, not on the tooth. I have poked and pressed it and its the same density as the gum itself, so doesnt feel to be swollen or infected. His teeth are quite white and have no tartar build up on them. None of my other three dogs have this and it only appears on Basils big incisors...................... im getting really paranoid now

 

[OEH]

Firstly PLEASE stop saying that you're dumb, I'm sure that you have started your last three topics with this and they have all been sensible interesting questions (IMHO :b ) and when we've met I didn't see any overwhelming signs of dumbness (though definately of blondeness................. :teehee: ).

Secondly two out of the three dogs and I appear to have this ridge. I don't think it's anything to worry about, I think lalena is right and that it is the join between the tooth and the jaw bone.

Olivia

 

[peony]

:b :b :b OEH you have made me blush now lol. All of you lot seem so bloody knowledgable about EVERYTHING I feel humbled!

Thanks for all your opinions .........................as I have said, there seems to be nothing untoward about this ridge, other than the fact its there lol. I shall keep an eye on it and if Basil should unfortunately need the vet at any stage, get them to have a look.

Thanks again xxxx :thumbsup:

 

[lalena]

relax, its all a learning process! you'll get better with experience. we all had to learn, and no matter how much you know, bloody dogs will always find a way to frazzled your brain

 

[snapdogs]

Hi Peony,

When you look into your dogs mouth normal healthy pink gums are attached to the teeth like a very tight cuff, (and do not bleed) at the edge of this cuff there is a minute space between the gum margin and the tooth surface. when food debris collects in this region, plaque accumulates inside this crevice (pocket) and calculus is produced.

The combined effect of plaque and calculus in this area leads to irritation of the gums, this is known as gingivitis.. The gum becomes swollen, which loosens the tight cuff, enlarging the gingival crevice (pocket)... A vicious circle is then established the crevice (pocket) gets larger where more food debris can collect and further calculus and plaque build-up.... these irritants keep up the inflammation... bleeding can then occur on the slightest pressure.

If chronic gingivitis is not treated... you end up with Chronic periodontitis, which leads to the distruction of the periodontal ligament (this is what holds your teeth in place) and alveolar bone. In plain english the gum receeds and the root is exposed and then your teeth fall out.... Of course this would take several years to happen...

Halitosis - bad breath is caused by the pus and microbes in the crevice (pockets)

this can affect your general health...

Periodontal disease affects most of the population...

If you excercise adequate plaque control... brushing teeth these problems are less likely to occur. Vet practices do offer dental services to animals, however we brush our teeth everyday, so why not brush your pets teeth to!

I feed my whippets fresh carrots and offer chews after meals... you can only do your best for your pet...... I had an elderly dog who suffered these problems and he ended up loosing most of his teeth... and we don't want that.... just think about how you feel when you have a tooth ache... our dogs are no different to us... you can buy chicken flavoured toothpaste... I use it on a dry brush, just be gentle use a soft toothbrush and not too big...

Happy brushing!

Hope I have not scared you!