How to treat gingivitis in dogs with laser therapy

Gingivitis is a common disease in dogs with inflammation (burning, redness, and swelling) along the border between the gums and the tooth.

Gingivitis is a reversible stage of gum disease called periodontal disease. If you do not treat your pet at earlier stages, the disease can lead to loss of teeth. This disease can affect the supporting structure of teeth like bones. In severe conditions, dogs can get tumors.

Gingivitis signs and symptoms 

Mostly the signs of gum disease are based on the stage of the disease. There are four stages of gingivitis in dogs based on severity. Stage 1 is mild, but by stage 4, conditions will be severe.

Symptoms for stage 1

At stage 1, there is no loss of tooth attachment but dogs exhibit mild symptoms like:                      

• Red gums
• Swollen gums
• Plaque increase
• During chewing, gums bleed
• Bleed at brushing teeth
• Bad breath

Symptoms for stage 2

In stage 2, 25% loss of tooth attachment from the supporting structure occurs.

• Puffy gums
• Bad breath
• Gums bleed due to chewing and brushing
• Retreated gums may be present

Symptoms for stage 3

Stage 3 conditions are severe because 25-50% tooth attachment and bone loss occur on x-rays.

• Red or swollen gums
• The moderate recession of the gum
• Loose teeth

Symptoms for stage 4

At this stage, x-rays can show tooth attachment loss exceeds 50%.

• The roots of a tooth become exposed
• The dog will be unwilling to eat
• Loose of teeth
• Pus may ooze from teeth

What kind of behavioral change occurs as the disease progresses?

• Pet cannot tolerate brushing teeth for an extended period
• The dog starts chewing differently and striking their gums
• Pet becomes unwilling to play with chew toys

Causes of gingivitis

The main reasons for periodontal disease in dogs are an unhealthy diet and failure to keep the mouth clean and free of germs. If you do not take care of your dog’s food or diet, this will lead to an accumulation of food particles between the gums and teeth. That leads to bacteria buildup and causes irritation and swelling.

If your dog’s teeth are not cleaned, the plaque will assemble and mineralize after 5 to 6 days and convert into dental calculus.

How does blue light laser therapy help treat dogs with gingivitis?

Laser therapy has been fundamental in veterinary sciences in the last five years. Advances in LEDs and lasers make the devices more robust. Multi Radiance Super Pulsed Laser Therapy enhances the photon density by adding the blue wavelength, 465nm in ACTIVet pro and 470nm in ACTIVet pro laser shower. Its wavelengths can help kill the more significant black-pigmented bacteria (BPB) population.

The BPB produces resistance against normal laser light but not with blue laser light. Blue light has antimicrobial effects with photochemical reactions. When directing light at bacteria, cytotoxic events produce toxic substances in bacterial cells. The blue light wavelength develops oxidative stress and phototoxicity to BPB. The application of therapy depends on the severity or stage of the disease. It protects from drug resistance and other risks. 

How does blue light laser therapy differ from low-level laser therapy?

Blue light therapy uses LED light with a blue color wavelength and gives benefits against bacteria. Light therapy is entirely painless and only treat those issue that is superficial. Still, low-level laser therapy requires high power and heat with a particular wavelength to penetrate deep into body tissues.

Why is blue light laser therapy better than antibiotic use?

Black-pigmented bacteria are common to canines and are also known as black-pigmented anaerobic BPAB. A veterinarian uses most antibiotics to get rid of dental issues, but they are losing the effective weapons to control the bacteria that are drug resistant. But blue light laser therapy is effective in killing bacteria.

How many sessions are required to treat gingivitis?

The therapy sessions depend on the severity of the stage of the disease. The pet patients with early stages can be treated 2-3 times per week. But in the case of gingivitis, a small number of sessions will be enough, but advanced cases need a session for maintenance. Always consult your veterinarian for sessions and duration.