Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Periodontal disease in dogs is irreversible, but can be totally prevented. This disease starts when plaque forms along the dog's gum line because of accumulated bacteria and food particles. To prevent further damage which ultimately leads to periodontal disease, the plaque should be removed right away. Otherwise, a mix with the minerals of the dog's saliva and plaque will lead to tartar, also known as calculus, which sticks stubbornly to the teeth. Plaque easily builds up when the dog's saliva is more acidic. Tartar by this time will start to irritate the adjacent gums and will eventually lead to gingivitis, a reddening of the gums which also causes bad breath in dogs.

A tartar or calculus that is not removed will settle under the gums and cause it to separate the affected teeth with the formation of "pockets" where more bacteria will thrive. At this stage, periodontal disease is already present and will cause any dog who has it a lot of pain. Worst, this often results in loose teeth, bone loss, infection, or abscesses.

Periodontal disease often affects older dogs. Some other factors include diet and chewing behavior, mouth environment, grooming habits, breed or genetics, or tooth alignment also determine any dog's vulnerability. Every dog owner is advised to check for the common signs or symptoms for this disease so proper treatment can be made.

These common symptoms include gums that easily bleed, bad breath, pus around the tooth, loss of appetite, drooling, sensitivity or pawing around the mouth, red or inflamed gums or receding gums, irritability, depression, difficulty in eating or chewing, missing or loose teeth, or even stomach upsets or digestion problems. Once any one or more of these signs or symptoms show in your dog, a dental check up should be made right away.

A pre-surgical examination is the first step for all cases of this disease. This exam will also determine the severity or grade of the dental issue of your dog. An exam may include a pre-anesthetic blood test which will help in the review of the dog's health and determine any possible problems. After the assessment, a treatment process will be determined depending on the result of the exam and blood test. Any dog-owner who may encounter this scenario is encouraged to ask for clear information about their dog's condition at this point.

After the severity or grade has been determined and treatment process is identified, a scheduled dental procedure will be made and your pet dog will be made to take antibiotics for several days before that to curb more problems. During the surgical procedure itself, dog owners should not worry as their dogs will be anesthetized and monitored closely.

Regular check ups will also be advised for dogs that have periodontal disease for monitoring as well as assessment of their oral health. Dogs that have had a treatment for the disease will need to have their teeth's pocket depth regularly checked four to six weeks after the treatment. While those that do not have it, dog owners are still advised to get their pet dogs checked for their oral health two to four times each year to help prevent this disease from affecting their dogs.