It’s important to know that there are multiple stages of pet periodontal disease and without proper veterinary dental exam, cleaning and radiographs, there is no way to know if your pet’s oral health is at risk. Use the tabs to learn about these stages of periodontal disease and the various treatment necessary to treat each. Learn more about comprehensive veterinary dental cleanings and why NOT to choose anesthesia free pet dental cleanings.
Stage 0
Treatment for Stage 0 Periodontal Disease
• Regular professional teeth clean by your veterinarian under anesthesia.
• Homecare –brush all teeth daily
Stage 1
Treatment for Stage 1 Periodontal Disease
• Regular professional teeth clean by your veterinarian under anesthesia
• Homecare –brush all teeth daily.
Stage 2
Treatment for Stage 2 Periodontal disease
• This pet needs a professional teeth clean (under anesthetic) by a veterinarian trained in veterinary dentistry ASAP! This is at a point where further destruction and loss of bone can be prevented. Loss of bone means loss of support for the tooth. Advanced bone loss does not come back easily or cheaply.
Stage 3
Treatment for Stage 3 Periodontal Disease
• The options for treatment include
1.Extraction
2.Advanced treatment by a veterinary dental specialist
• If the tooth is extracted the problem will not return but the tooth is lost and does not grow back.
• If the tooth is treated with advanced procedures by a veterinary dentist (specialist) AND the pet’s owner is committed to regular home care teeth affected by stage 3 periodontal disease can sometimes be saved.
Stage 4
Summary
Summary of some of the signs that may indicate periodontal disease
• Bad breath
• Flinching or pulling away from you when you try to look at the teeth
• The lips of your pet may quiver
• Dogs may growl and snap and cats may hiss because they are in pain
• Red, swollen gums
• Tartar build up
• You can see the bulge of the crown which is usually hidden from view
• You can see the roots of the teeth which are always covered by bone and gums
• Open wounds on the face under the eye, on the lower jaws, in the mouth
• Ulcers in the mouth or lips
• Rubbing the face on carpets and furniture
• Sleeping a lot, decreased activity, poor appetite, dropping food and hard treats
Remember:
• Bone and the roots of the teeth SHOULD be covered by the gums.
• If you cannot see the roots or bone, your vet cannot either so X-rays are needed to see what sort of condition the bone support around each tooth is in.
• Bone loss cannot be seen without intraoral X-rays. The stage of periodontal disease is based on the amount of bone loss present.