Bad breath: a warning sign not to be ignored!

In the dog's mouth lives a population of bacteria that can reach one thousand billion inhabitants, or over one hundred times the human population of the Earth.

Many of these microbes coexist peacefully with our friend, feeding on microscopic food residues. But there are also bacteria that behave like invaders , as they proliferate at the expense of the dog's health.

Why does dog breath get bad?

It is harmful bacteria that cause bad breath, through the digestion of proteins present in food and saliva. This process releases volatile molecules, rich in sulphur, such as hydrogen sulphide, a gas with the characteristic smell of rotten eggs.

But these substances not only have an unpleasant effect on the dog's breath. Sulfur compounds also exert toxic effects on the gingival mucosa and the structures that support the teeth.

As time passes, their irritating action causes the appearance of gingivitis and periodontitis, painful inflammations that can lead to serious infections and tooth loss.

This dog's incisors were attacked by periodontitis, leaving the roots exposed (yellow arrow). The teeth are now beyond repair and will need to be extracted by the vet.(Image modified from Wikimedia Commons)

The appearance of bad breath should therefore never be taken lightly, as it often represents the first warning sign of very serious pathologies.

Comments

Email again:

Previous

Periodontitis: the disease that undermines the smile (and not only!) of dogs

Next

What are dogs' favorite tastes?

Share this article