PERIODONTAL DISEASE IN DOGS

Dental disease in dogs is one of the most prevalent pet health issues seen by veterinarians in clinics for adult and senior animals. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory process that progresses through the supportive tissues of the teeth (periodontium), which include the gingiva (gums), periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Typically, the progression of periodontal disease begins with a build-up of plaque around the teeth, and can ultimately develop into a more serious infection if left untreated.

Because many pet owners do not recognize early-stage dental disease due to its non-painful nature and possible lack of visible symptoms, the effects of periodontal disease become increasingly apparent when the disease has advanced.

Causes

The primary source for the development of periodontal disease is the formation of an excessive amount of plaque on the teeth from the accumulation of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. If the plaque is not consistently cleaned off, it will become hardened into a substance called calculus (tartar). This tartar forms on the tooth surface and below the gum line.

The potential for developing the disease may be influenced by several factors, including:

• Poor oral hygiene or infrequent dental care
• Soft diets that do not provide mechanical plaque removal
• Small-breed dogs have crowded teeth and are therefore more susceptible to developing the disease than larger breeds.
• Age: Older dogs are at greater risk of developing the disease.
• Genetic predisposition to develop the disease in certain breeds.
• Underlying medical issues that compromise the dog’s ability to fight infection.

As soon as bacteria establish colonies under the gum line, they induce an immune response. The immune response damages both soft tissues and bones. As a result, there is progressive periodontal destruction.

Symptoms

Early warning signs of periodontal disease in dogs tend to be mild at first; however, the more severe they get, the easier they will be noticed.

Some common symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs include:

• Bad breath (Halitosis)
• Teeth with yellow or brown tartar buildup
• Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums
• Difficulty chewing (dropping food from their mouths)
• Increased drooling
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Loose or missing teeth
• Decreased appetite or preference for softer food

As the disease progresses in severity and affects the dog’s overall health status, it is possible that the dog could appear irritable, painful, and lose weight because of decreased ability to consume adequate amounts of nutrients through solid food.

Risks

Untreated dental disease due to poor oral hygiene can be quite dangerous. If dental disease is left untreated, there could potentially be some serious issues with it.

Some of the key dangers associated with dental issues include:

• Destruction of bone that supports your dog tooth(s) resulting in tooth loss
• Affecting your pet’s quality of life by creating chronic oral pain
• Creating abscesses and other types of infections within the mouth
• Some forms of dental bacteria enter the bloodstream, causing bacteremia
• May contribute to systemic inflammation and has been associated with changes in organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys

The potential for these diseases to become systemic, spreading bacteria and inflammation throughout the body, makes it difficult to consider periodontal disease as simply being a problem related to the mouth; rather, this is an entire-body health risk.

Diagnosis

Veterinary professionals use a combination of oral examinations and assessments of your pet’s teeth to diagnose periodontal disease.

When a veterinarian conducts an examination of your pet’s teeth, they will evaluate their appearance visually. The veterinarian will look at signs of possible irritation, possible gum inflammation, and any evidence that may suggest discomfort. A complete evaluation, however, will require dental X-rays. The veterinarian will have to sedate your pet to obtain these X-rays because they are taken under general anesthesia. Once obtained, these X-ray images allow the veterinarian to see how much bone has been lost and to also locate the amount of disease located beneath the gum line.

Treatment

Treatment for Periodontal Disease depends on how badly your dog’s gums are affected.

Mildly affected dogs can usually get their teeth cleaned with a professional dental cleaning. The process will include a deep scale that removes all plaque and tartar from both above and below the gum line. Afterward, they will polish each tooth to make it harder for plaque/tartar to build up in the future.

Moderate to severely affected dogs may need additional treatments such as:

• A deep clean of the teeth while the dog is under general anesthesia
• Extraction of teeth that are severely rotted or loose
• Antibiotics to stop/kill the infection
• Pain management medications
• Anti-inflammatory treatments

Eventually, some dogs reach a point where extracting the diseased teeth is the best course of action, especially when trying to prevent further pain and discomfort.

Prevention

Preventing periodontal disease is much cheaper to do and simpler than to treat. It all comes down to consistent dental health for your pet.

Strategies to prevent periodontal diseases are simple and can be implemented into your pet’s daily routine:

• Brushing their teeth daily using dog-safe toothpaste
• Scheduling regular veterinary dental exams
• Fed dental diets or fed specifically designed chew toys to help remove plaque from your dogs’ teeth
• Follow professional cleaning recommendations by your veterinarian
• Avoid feeding too many soft foods to avoid an increase in plaque building up on your pets’ teeth

Early Start of Dental Health in Dogs Helps Reduce Risk of Disease Later.