Understanding Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is infection and inflammation of the gums and surrounding tissues that support your pet’s teeth. It begins with the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth after eating. If plaque is not removed through regular brushing, it hardens into tartar within a few days. Tartar is more challenging to remove and provides a breeding ground for more bacteria.
The progression of periodontal disease can be divided into four stages:
Gingivitis
The earliest stage, where the gums become red and swollen due to plaque buildup. At this stage, the condition is reversible with proper dental care.
Early Periodontitis
Plaque hardens into tartar, causing the gums to recede and form pockets that trap more bacteria. You may notice your pet has bad breath and some gum bleeding at this stage.
Moderate Periodontitis
The infection and inflammation extend deeper into the gums, causing significant damage to the supporting structures of the teeth. Teeth may become loose, and your pet might experience pain when chewing.
Advanced Periodontitis
This stage involves severe damage to the gums, bones, and teeth. Teeth may fall out, and the infection can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. The treatment for end stage periodontal disease is surgical extraction, Remember pets don't miss painful teeth. In fact, they usually eat better and more regularly after the pain is removed.
Diagnosing Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats
Our team at Houston Pet Dental performs thorough dental assessments to diagnose periodontal disease in dogs and cats. We look for signs of disease through visual inspection and probing, and we take dental X-rays to see what’s happening below the gumline. Catching periodontal disease early makes treatment much easier and more effective.
Treating Periodontal Disease
Regardless of the stage of periodontal disease in your pet, they will need to be under anesthesia so our team can perform a thorough dental assessment and teeth cleaning. During the assessment, we can chart the extent of the infection in your pet’s mouth and determine whether any extractions need to be made, and if there are other hidden issues below the gum line. When we clean your pet’s teeth, we clean the crowns, specifically the gum line where bone destruction occurs. For special cases sub-gingival root planing may be recommended. We typically don't clean the roots. If infection is present, we will call with treatment recommendations and pain medication to help your pet recover comfortably and quickly from their procedure. In fact, almost all of our patients are eating comfortably within 12-18 hours after surgery.
Preventing Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats
The best way to prevent periodontal disease from ever taking root in your pet is by brushing your pet’s teeth at home daily and bringing them in for an annual dental assessment and teeth cleaning. Periodontal disease takes time to develop and its early stages can be extremely subtle; many dogs and cats can go years without showing outward signs of pain, despite being genuinely uncomfortable.
Ensuring a comfortable mouth for your pet is paramount to their health. Call (832) 702-7599 to schedule a complimentary exam or book online!