Prevention of Gum Disease

Bacterial infection of the gums and surrounding tissue is most commonly the cause of halitosis in dogs. There is a rare possibility that
an underlying disease in the absence of, or in addition to tooth/gum disease, such as kidney failure, diabetes, nasal or facial skin infections & cancers can contribute to bad breath. Also make sure your dog is not ingesting faecal matter or other undesirable substances.

Plaque is basically a colony of bacteria. Tartar occurs once the plaque becomes mineralized (hard) firmly adhering to the tooth enamel, which will then erode the tissue around the tooth. This will cause swelling, redness and pain. The gums finally separate from the
tooth leaving air pockets which ultimately trap more bacteria. This vicious cycle results in bone and tooth loss.

Effects on the whole body:  Bacteria can enter the blood stream, most commonly affecting liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Once treatment for the gum disease is sought, it will be necessary to give the dog antibiotics prior to and after veterinary treatment to prevent the spread of bacteria through the blood stream.