Overgrown gums?

[paw7004]

Over time, I noticed that Porkchop's bottom teeth were disappearing. I thought he was grinding them down. The vet told me yesterday his gums are overgrown, a trait in some bulldogs. She said there was a surgical option but they will grow back. Pork is 7 years old now, eats well enough. The vet did not give an opinion but the look on her face was "I wouldn't recommend it."

Anyone else with a bulldog with overgrown gums? Any complications or adverse health effects if untreated?

 

[Hankster]

I first had to mention to Hank let's not do that one too! Anyway , no experience with that yet and will be interested to see if others have and what they do about it . I was thinking you were talking about just those front teeth as that wouldn't seem much of a problem but do you mean the whole bottom row?

 

[Manydogs]

[MENTION=5840]paw7004[/MENTION] I personally haven't had this problem(yet) I would feel like if he is eating okay, and his mouth doesn't bother him,why take a chance. I would check his gums every once in awhile, to make sure there is no hair or food stuck.

 

[Dollys Owner]

I would try to brush his teeth daily, won't help with the growth, but will help prevent complications.

 

[oscarmayer]

Never heard of anyone having the gum overgrowth trimmed away. Aging bullies can have this happen. Go with the look on your Vet's face.

 

[Texas Carol]

Cami has this condition, dx'ed a couple years ago when she was 7 yrs old.

Researched this and decided it wasn't worth the risk of putting her under and,
it grows back. I'd lost my 1st bulldog in dental surgery so unless it's life threatening, NO.
My Vet also wasn't for it, I decided to manage it with softer foods, no hard chews or toys,
nothing that will make her gums sore or bleed or tear such as chewing on sticks, etc. I'd
use a dental cleaning spray on her teeth and try to have her teeth examined every now
& then for hair & stuff stuck in-between teeth & gums but that's about it really. Luckily, it
grows slowly, Cami's extra gum tissue looks about the same as 2 yrs ago. They don't really
chew their food as much as gulp it whole anyways so doesn't cause issues for her

Best of luck to y'all.

 

[helsonwheels]

2nd the vet's face!!!

 

[2BullyMama]

I'd let it be and keep an eye for any potential issues, but unless there is a life threatening issue... enjoy the gummy smile


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[paw7004]

The gums are growing throughout the mouth. I only noticed the bottom front teeth because they have just slowly disappeared. The vet pointed out that it affects the whole gum line, top and bottom. So far it hasn't affected his eating. He's had two events that he had to have general anesthesia and though he went through that with flying colors, it's not something I want to do, especially for elective surgery, now that he is 7 years old.


I do use PetzLife Dental Gel (from Amazon) to keep the plaque from building up on his teeth. It worked wonders on my dachshunds, by the way. Use it for one week and the brown stuff flakes off with a little scraping.The wiener dogs had nasty teeth! Then I used it once a week. That $20 bottle was more effective than the $375 dental cleaning.

 

[TyTysmom]

I'm with the others in that if he has no issues with eating, and it doesnt seem to cause him any pain, let it be. Just keep on with your routine of keeping his teeth cleaned. I personally am at the point where unless its life threatening, I'm not putting Tyson under. Almost lost him once.

 

[Ruutu]

Had 2 English bulldogs. Both developed severe overgrown gums. Did not have surgery for fear of going under. Trying to control this as best as I can. Try to brush regulary but difficult w such overgrowth and the fact he hates it. Any bulldog specialists here who can say what is BEST to do to minimize the issue or to help? Dental sprays really have no active ingredients to help so i'm not sure how they can do anything positive.
Anyone have any Good suggestions for improvement?

 

[Cbrugs]

Louie has this and his bottom teefers are just little itty bitty chiclets now. He was actually at the vet today for a different issue and the vet referred to the gums as something specific and I don't remember the name, but it does happen with Bulldogs and my vet said while they can do surgery, it's nothing to worry about at this point and to just let it be. Louie is 7.

 

[paw7004]

Had 2 English bulldogs. Both developed severe overgrown gums. Did not have surgery for fear of going under. Trying to control this as best as I can. Try to brush regulary but difficult w such overgrowth and the fact he hates it. Any bulldog specialists here who can say what is BEST to do to minimize the issue or to help? Dental sprays really have no active ingredients to help so i'm not sure how they can do anything positive.
Anyone have any Good suggestions for improvement?

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted this. When my sister-in-law came to visit, I mentioned this issue of overgrown gums, since she’s a dental hygienist. She said overgrown gums were frequently seen in people that are mouth-breathers. That made total sense to me as Pork was too. Over time, all his food had to be soaked until soft. In his last 2 years (he passed at 13yrs old), he could no longer chew on his bones as his gums would bleed. Only 2 back teeth were visible. If your dogs are mouth-breathers, it’s probably the cause & nothing short of surgery will fix it. If human, the gums would grow back over time. So when I learned that, I opted for no surgery as the risk wasn’t worth it.

 

[Ruutu]

Louie has this and his bottom teefers are just little itty bitty chiclets now. He was actually at the vet today for a different issue and the vet referred to the gums as something specific and I don't remember the name, but it does happen with Bulldogs and my vet said while they can do surgery, it's nothing to worry about at this point and to just let it be. Louie is 7.

Yes, gingival hyperplasia. But it leads to severe gum disease, then tooth decay. There must be a way to help w some sort of method i'm hoping. The teeth are impossible to get to at this point. Those dig dental sprays are just a bunch of weird ingredients like Neem oil! in alcohol...

 

[rjisaterp]

Yes, gingival hyperplasia. But it leads to severe gum disease, then tooth decay. There must be a way to help w some sort of method i'm hoping. The teeth are impossible to get to at this point. Those dig dental sprays are just a bunch of weird ingredients like Neem oil! in alcohol...

Maybe try a water pik in the shower or tub of course ?