Periodontal Disease in Animals

Dental health is important for dogs.

Good oral health is important for pets. It allows them to eat without discomfort, and lowers their risk of many respiratory and pulmonary illnesses that can cause serious problems. Periodontal disease is the term for a mouth with advanced gum disease and tooth degeneration. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon in pets.

Cause

Periodontal disease is caused by plaque that builds up on the teeth and eventually thickens and hardens into calculus. Every time the dog eats, the food builds up the calculus to the point that it begins to reach beneath the gums and irritate the tissue. Soon, the gums become infected and the teeth erode.

Symptoms

The number one symptom is bad breath. The gums will be red and inflamed, and a bright red line may be visible at the gum line. There will be heavy tartar on the teeth, some of the teeth will show erosion, and more than one may be loose.

Diagnosis

The vet will clean the tartar from the teeth in order to better evaluate the gums. He will probe the “pocket” holding each tooth to see how far erosion has progressed, and may x-ray the jaws to evaluate bone loss.

Treatment

Treatment involves a thorough teeth cleaning, as well as the application of an antibacterial gel. Loose or rotted teeth will be removed, and the gums may be surgically repaired. The dog will likely be sent home with a week or two of antibiotics.

Maintenance

Veterinarians recommend daily toothbrushing. If that is not practical, there are specialty chew toys designed to clean the teeth and stimulate the gums, and these can be quite effective. Ask your vet what he recommends.

References

• Veterinary Oral Health Council: Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) is the Most Common Disease Occurring in Pet Dogs and Cats
• Healthy Pet: AAHA Dental Care Guidelines