Periodontal Disease in Dogs - Symptoms & How It's Treated

Healthy teeth and gums play an important role in your dog's overall health, but many dogs don't receive the dental care they need to prevent oral health problems from arising. Our Bartlett vets explain.

Dogs & Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis, (gum disease or periodontal disease) is a form of bacteria that can infect your dog's mouth and lead to a variety of oral health issues. Dogs with early-stage periodontal disease tend not to show any obvious symptoms.

That said, once canine periodontal disease becomes more advanced painful and problematic symptoms will begin to become noticeable, including chronic pain, tooth loss, gum erosion or even bone loss as the supporting structures of your pup's teeth are weakened or lost.

Causes of Canine Periodontal Disease

Bacteria gradually begins building up in your dog’s mouth which then develops into plaque and combines with other minerals. Over time this mixture of bacteria, plaque and minerals hardens into tartar over the course of a few days.  Once tartar forms on your pup's teeth, it becomes more difficult to scrape away. 

Without proper treatment, tartar will continue to build up and eventually pull the gums away from the teeth, causing pockets in the gums where bacteria can grow. At this stage, abscesses may begin to form, tissue and bone deterioration can occur, and your dog's teeth may start to loosen and fall out.

In small and toy breed dogs advanced periodontal disease often leads to jaw fractures.

The development of periodontal disease in dogs can also be associated with poor nutrition and diet in some dogs. Other factors that may contribute to the development of periodontal disease in dogs can include dirty toys, excessive grooming habits, and crowded teeth.

Signs of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Early periodontal disease has no obvious symptoms, however, if your dog is suffering from advanced periodontal disease you will begin to notice one or more of the following symptoms: 

Periodontal disease is a serious health concern for our dogs. Once the disease reaches the advanced stages your canine companion could be experiencing significant chronic pain, but that's not all.

The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also travel throughout your pet's body, potentially causing problems with major organs and leading to serious medical issues such as heart disease.

Treatment for Periodontal Disease in Dogs

If your pup is developing or suffering from the symptoms of periodontal disease your vet may recommend professional cleaning or other treatments depending on the severity of your dog's oral health problems.

The cost of your dog's dental care will vary depending on the treatment required and the individual vet.

For your vet to perform a thorough examination of your dog's teeth and gums, as well as any treatments necessary, the use of anesthesia will be required. (Pre-anesthesia blood work is also an important step in order to determine whether your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia medications).

Dental procedures for dogs typically include:

• Dental radiographs (x-rays)
• Pre-anesthesia blood work
• IV catheter and IV fluids
• Endotracheal intubation, inhaled anesthetic and oxygen
• Circulating warm air to ensure the patient remains warm while under anesthesia
• Anesthesia monitoring
• Scaling, polishing and lavage of gingival areas
• Extractions as required (with local anesthesia such as novocaine)
• Pain medication during and post-procedure

How to Prevent Your Pup From Developing Periodontal Disease

Many pet parents wonder how to prevent periodontal disease in dogs. Prevention is relatively easy, simply by caring for your dog's oral health, much the way you care for your own, you may be able to prevent your dog from developing periodontal disease.

Right from when your pooch is young, be sure to pay close attention to your dog’s oral health.Like people, dogs need regular dental appointments to keep their oral hygiene in check and to identify any trouble spots before more serious issues develop.

Your pooch should see the vet at least once a year for an oral health examination and cleaning. Regular dental appointments for your dog provide you with an opportunity to speak to your vet about any concerns you may have about your pup's teeth or overall health. 

To prevent problems from taking hold between appointments brush your dog’s teeth daily to remove plaque and prevent bacteria from forming. You may also want to offer your dog specially formulated dental chews and dog food, as well as specially designed toys to help address dental disease and reduce the buildup of tartar.

If your pooch is displaying symptoms of periodontal disease such as swollen or inflamed gums, appetite changes or missing teeth, book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Do your dog's teeth need attention? We can help to improve your dog's oral health and make their smile healthy again . Contact Hillcrest Animal Hospital today to book a dental appointment for your dog.