This is what I found in my dog owners home veterinary handbook:
The oral cavity is bounded on the front and sides by the lips and cheeks, above by the hard and soft palate, and below by the tongue and muscles of the floor of the mouth. Four pairs of salivary glands drain into the mouth, the two largest being the parotid and mandibular glands.
The saliva of dogs is alkaline and contains antibacterial enzymes. There is also a normal flora of bacteria in the mouth that keep harmful bacteria from gaining a foothold. These factors reduce the frequency of mouth infections in dogs.
The parynx is a space formed by the joining of the nasal passages with the back of the mouth. Food is prevented from entering the respiratory tree by the back of the mouth. is prevented from entering the respiratory tree by the back of the mouth. Food is prevented from entering the respiratory tree by the epiglottis, a flaplike valve that closes over the larnx as the dog swallows.
So bad breath is generally caused from bacteria associated with periodontal disease. This is the most common tooth and gum problem. It results from a change in the normal saliva, which creates a buildup of calcium salts, food, hair, and bacteria on the teeth. The Vet. should see the dog and determine if the teeth need cleaning and scraping at and under the gum especially. |