Receding Gums

[SheilaHolder]

Hi, my name is Sheila, I am new to CIMDA.

I am very worried about one of my bearded collies, all of his gums are receding and I don't know why, his teeth are spotlessly clean, beautiful and white.  He is under the vet, but my concern is that they seem to just want to treat the symptoms and not investigate a cause.  They have taken a biopsy of his gums, this has come back normal.  They have said he is producing excessive amounts of plaque which tells the white blood cells to release enzymes which break down gum tissue - gingivitis.  He had 3 teeth removed 12 weeks ago and he needs to go back again now.  I clean his teeth everyday and I have a Chlorhexidine mouth wash and gel to apply daily.  I have checked the ph balance of his saliva, this is normal.

Wondered whether anybody has come across this before, I feel he is soon going to lose all of his teeth.

Very worried beardie owner !!

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Sheila and welcome

I presume your boy has had a full biochemical blood test done and the vet has said there is nothing remarkable, or no indication that there is an underlying problem that is causing his receding gum problem.  I sympathise as it can be so difficult to control. Sometimes when the immune system is under par it can have this effect on teeth and gums. You might try Aloe Vera in addition to your current regime.  My dogs used to drink it every day. The following might give you something else to consider.

Jo


I have a book called 'The Veterinarian's Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs' by Martin Zucker

'Vitamin C and Co-enzyme Q10 is recommended to fight gum disease. In humans, a low level of vitamin C in the tissues is associated with a predisposition to periodontal disease.  I prefer Vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate crystals mixed in the food.  The vitamin decreases pain, builds up the immune system against infections, and helps to fortify connective tissue and the tiny ligaments binding tooth to gum.  Co-enzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that decreases inflammation, swelling and pocket depths.  The mouth must be cleaned first professionally in order for this nutrient to have pronounced impact'.

Dosage: 

Vitamin C:  start with 250mg twice daily.  Increase daily dose by 250mg each week until bowel tolerance is reached - that is to slowly raise the amount of the supplement in food until you see the stool become soft and then reduce the amount slightly.

Co-enzyme Q10: Small dogs, 10mg twice daily;  medium dogs, 50mg once daily; larger dogs, 50mg twice daily.

From the same book: 

Calendula for General Gum Care - Thomas Van Cise DVM

To help prevent gum disease, apply Calendula, a homoeopathic remedy.  Purchase a bottle of mother tincture of Calendula and put 6 drops in one ounce of distilled water.  Brush with this solution on a daily basis.  If there is inflammation you may want to take a cotton bud and add some additional cotton wool so that it soaks up the liquid.  Use that to cover both the outside and inside of the gums with Calendula.



Supplement for Better Oral Health: By Ron Carsten DMV:

'If you have a  dog with gum and tooth problems, a good general nutritional supplement to benefit the mouth specifically is Biodent.  The human product, made by Standard Process can be ordered for you through your veterinarian.  It contains bone meal, carrot powder, spleen and other nutrients that will create a healthier chemistry in the tissue in the mouth and help contain inflammation, whilst supporting any veterinary treatment that is being given.  The product can help reverse deficiencies that have existed for years.
The supplement takes time to work, so be patient.  Keep the mouth clean.  Brush the teeth on a daily basis if possible and keep building up the tissue with these nutrients.  Also by feeding animals better food, including some raw meat and vegetables, they tend not to develop a lot of typical oral conditions.

Dosage:  Give twice daily.  Small dogs, 1 tablet each time, medium dogs, 2 tablets, larger dogs 3 tablets.'

https://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Standard-Process/Bio-Dent#.VLzsCi785x0

[Catherine]

How old is he?

Has he had any blood tests done? If not I would get the vet to do a full panel - haematology, biochemistry AND a full thyroid test first to make sure there is not anything obvious causing it.

Has he any other symptoms? If you are thinking it is an autoimmune disease like SLE then I would think he would have other symptoms.

[SheilaHolder]

Jo thanks for your reply, some interesting suggestions for gum care, will definitely be giving some of those a try.  Catherine, he is only 5, don't know what bloods he has had done, apart from they said he had a raised white cell count (his gums were inflamed at the time).  I will get them to do full bloods again as advised.  I was thinking autoimmune disease, he has no other symptoms.