Teeth and Gum Health

Many parents repeat how important it is to brush teeth. But, they aren’t as worried for their furried friends. I’m sure they would change their ways if they knew that it could result in several diseases and possibly…. Death.

Even though dogs teeth play a big role in their lives, so does the gum color. In fact you can tell many things by just looking or touching the gums.

First of all, the gums should be smooth and moist, not sticky or dry. Most dog’s gum color is a bubble gum pink but don’t worry if your dog has black splotches. That’s just the way their gum looks like. But there are specific gum colors that should make a warning sign flash vigorously.

• Salmon Pink gums

Healthy!!!!!!

• Pale pink or white gums

Anemia or not enough red blood cells circulating.

• Blue, gray, or purple gums

Not enough oxygen circulating.

• Cherry red gums

Toxic ingestion.

• Slightly red inflamed gums

Gingivitis or teething in puppies. May result in bleeding gums.

• Black, gray, or brown spots

Even though it may be normal in some dogs it may also be abnormal and result in cancerous issues.

Another thing that you can check by the dog’s gums is their CRT, also known as Capillary Refill Time. Just press your index finger against the gum. The gum will turn white then turn back to pink within two seconds. If it does not refill quickly it may mean that the blood is not circulating well and that the blood flow is not good enough to support proper health. 

Even though gums are really important, so are our dog’s teeth!

And you’d be surprised to learn that teeth and gum conditions can actually cause death.

Here are some things you should look out for.

• Bad Breath (Brushing your dog’s teeth frequently and using some mint and coconut oil helps too!)

• Broken or lose teeth

• Extra teeth

• Baby teeth that should have already fell out

• Bleeding teeth

• Abnormal chewing or drooling

• Tartar

Though you should look out for all of these symptoms one of the most common teeth issues is something called tartar. Tartar is a rough substance that forms below your gum line. The reason that tartar is so bad for your dog is because it gives bacteria a place to hide. Once the tartar hardens the veterinarian will safely remove the tartar.

Another common complaint is a dog’s bad breath. Even though part of it may be natural or a disease, sometimes it’s just because you didn’t brush their teeth. Here are some videos with some short and easy remedies you can use for your dog.

Abnormal chewing and drooling 

Even though many dog owners don’t brush their dog’s teeth I hope that this article inspires you to do so. Keep your dog happy and healthy by simply brushing their teeth!!!