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Periodontal Disease
Periodontal or gum disease is a common but preventable condition that is caused by poor oral hygiene. It starts with swollen, red and painful gums and can lead to tooth loss. It is estimated that there are over 400 bacterial species in the mouth and these bacteria within the dental plaque usually cause periodontal disease.
The periodontal structure maintains the structure of the whole mouth. Untreated periodontal disease can lead to plaque and calculus build up and result in further tooth loss and bone loss.
If picked up early, gingivitis can be reversible with the removal of plaque and the associated bacteria. However, periodontal disease is only partially reversible.
Stages of periodontal disease
Stage 0 - Normal - no sign of dental disease
Stage 1 - A small amount of plaque and gingivitis only - slight redness
Stage 2 - Early dental disease - swollen gums, redness, visible calculus and plaque
Stage 3 - Moderate dental disease - moderate calculus and plaque, tooth mobility, loss of tissue attachment. Disease below the gumline.
Stage 4 - Advanced dental disease - heavy calculus and plaque, extreme tooth mobility, loss of tissue attachment and underlying bone.
Signs
Common signs of a dental problem:
- Decreased appetite
- Unwillingness to eat hard food
- Drooling
- Bad breath
- Plaque or tartar build-up on teeth
- Swollen, red or bleeding gums
- Missing or broken teeth
- Weight loss
- Pawing at mouth
Management
Professional dental cleaning using supra- and subgingival scaling and polishing.
What may happen during a veterinary dental procedure:
- General anesthesia
- Full oral examination, diagnosis, and staging of any dental disease
- Radiographs (depending on outcomes of assessment)
- Teeth scaling to remove tartar and plaque
- Teeth extractions, where required
- Teeth polish
- Gum irrigation to remove debris and remaining polishing paste
- Application of anti-plaque system such as an oral sealant
- Assessment of abnormal gum pockets
- Tooth and gum procedures depending on findings
- Administration of pain relief and antibiotics, where required
Home care
Oral hygiene should be implemented early in life, throughout the pet’s life.
After a professional dental clean, the following techniques can be implemented:
Taking care of your pet's teeth at home is extremely important in reducing plaque formation and the development of the dental disease. Plaque control can be achieved through mechanical removals such as brushing teeth or using dental chews or chemical means within veterinary dental products. Nothing is 100% effective forever and therefore like us, your pet will still require regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning procedures.
Tooth brushing
Tooth brushing is considered the "gold standard" when performed at least once daily. It is the most effective and cheapest form of plaque prevention. Toothbrushes come in varying sizes and designs: a fine bristle toothbrush head on a standard straight brush is ideal. It's important only to proceed if your pet allows.
When using toothpaste, it is important to use a veterinary one as they are flavored for pets, have low levels of fluoride and do not foam. Note: human toothpaste can cause stomach irritation if ingested.
Always use a circular sweeping motion, pushing the brush away from the gumline.
Dental chews
The natural chewing motion can help reduce plaque. Some dental treats and commercial dry foods also contain chemical plaque control agents.
Chew toys
It's important to choose a chew toy that is made of durable rubber. Avoid toys that can be broken into pieces such as plastic or rubber toys as these can become lodged in the pet's stomach. Harder toys such as rope toys or even rocks and sticks can cause damage to your pet's teeth.
Prevention
Removal of dental plaque as often as possible through regular professional cleans and home care methods.