Treatment for Periodontal Disease in Dog

Toy breeds with crowded teeth are especially at risk for periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the tissues and support structures of the teeth that can lead to bone loss. Toy breeds with crowded teeth are especially susceptible, as are dogs that groom themselves frequently, as hair becomes lodged in between the tooth and gum. Periodontal disease affects 80 percent of dogs over 6 months of age, and if left untreated, can cause serious health problems throughout the body.

Cause

Particles become trapped in the teeth anytime a dog eats.

Every time the dog eats, food particles become trapped along the gumline and between the teeth. These food particles attract bacteria, which hardens and turns into plaque. Over time, the plaque mixes with saliva and minerals to form calculus, which appears as a hard, yellow crust along the upper portion of the teeth. The calculus irritates the gums, causing gingivitis. If the gingivitis is left untreated, the inflammation progresses further and becomes periodontal disease.

Symptoms

Stage-one periodontal disease shows inflammation along the gumline.

Periodontal disease is graded according to symptom severity. Stage one is the transition phase from gingivitis to periodontal disease, where the only symptom may be a red line of irritation along the gums. Stage two includes more advanced inflammation, as well as gums that bleed when probed. By stage three, the gums are severely inflamed and swollen, a pustular discharge may be present and bone loss begins to occur. Stage-four periodontal disease is characterized by a worsening of all symptoms as well as tooth mobility. Bone loss by this stage can be quite severe.

Diagnosis

Various tools are used to gauge the extent of gum recession.

Comprehensive dental examinations require anesthesia because most dogs will not sit patiently while the vet digs around in their mouth. A vet tech will clean the teeth with an ultrasonic dental scaler that will remove plaque and calculus to allow the vet to better asses the condition of the gums. The vet will probe each tooth to measure how far the gum has receded, and will grade the disease according to his findings. Because 60 percent of periodontal disease occurs beyond the gumline, X-rays are valuable in determining the extent of bone loss and root decay.

Treatment

A week or so of antibiotics will kill any existing infection in the mouth.

While the dog is sedated, the vet may remove any teeth that are loose or have decayed roots, and apply a medicated gel deep inside the gums. If bone loss has occurred, certain sections of the gum may need to be surgically repositioned to stabilize the tooth, and in very severe cases, a bone replacement procedure may be required to save the teeth. After the procedure, the dog will receive an antibiotic injection as well as a week or 10 days' worth of oral antibiotics to take home.

Prevention

Daily brushing and yearly dental cleanings will keep your dog's teeth looking their best.

The best prevention is frequent brushing of the teeth. Most pet supply stores sell soft toothbrushes designed especially to clean underneath the gumline, as well as toothpaste in flavors dogs like. Daily brushing is best but can be impractical. For brushing to be an effective preventive, it must be done at least weekly. Additionally, a yearly dental scaling and polishing by a vet will keep plaque under control and allow problems to be caught and treated before they develop into serious problems.

References

• All Pets Dental: Periodontal Disease
• Pet Place: Periodontitis in Dogs
• PetMD: Gum Disease in Dogs