From purchasing a high-quality dog food to scheduling a yearly checkup with your veterinarian, many dog owners go to great lengths to ensure their dogs are healthy and well cared for. However, there is one aspect of your dog's overall health you might be accidentally overlooking: your dog's dental health. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about canine periodontal disease and pet dental care.
What Is Canine Periodontal Disease?
Although dogs can suffer from a number of dental conditions that impact your dog's teeth, gums, mouth, and the underlying structures of the teeth, periodontal disease specifically refers to tooth decay and gum disease that occurs when there is severe tartar and plaque buildup on your dog's teeth.
Periodontal disease is caused by a variety of factors, including the natural buildup of bacteria in your dog's mouth, a poor diet, lack of proper oral hygiene, or whether your dog's mouth is exposed to other types of bacteria, such as bacteria found on dirty dog toys.
What Are the Signs of Canine Periodontal Disease?
Canine periodontal disease is a common condition and there are several symptoms you should watch for, including:
- Excess drooling
- Missing teeth
- Broken teeth
- Discharge from the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Trouble eating
A dog who has periodontal disease will sometimes favor one side of their mouth, as the gums on the other side are swollen or there is damage to the teeth. Although all dogs are susceptible to periodontal disease, some breeds are more predisposed to periodontal disease, including chihuahuas, boxers, pugs, and collies.
How Will A Veterinarian Treat Your Dog's Periodontal Disease?
If you notice the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian or a veterinary dentist. Periodontal disease will be diagnosed through a physical exam and X-rays. Treatment options are dependent upon the diagnosed level of periodontal disease. For example, if your dog is diagnosed with stage one periodontal disease, your veterinarian will typically clean your dog's teeth and show you how to brush and clean your dog's teeth at home.
Stage two periodontal disease will involve a deeper cleaning of your dog's teeth, and the veterinarian may need to apply an antibiotic to any deeper pockets of bacterial infection. If your dog is diagnosed with stage four, which is the most severe stage of periodontal disease, your veterinarian may need to extract some of your dog's teeth, and you will need to visit the veterinarian for more frequent cleanings.
Dog periodontal disease is a common condition that with early intervention can be prevented and, with the help of your veterinarian, can be treated.
Most vets go into the field because they truly care about animals. As such, you can expect your vet to have your animal's best interests in mind. They will recommend the treatments they believe are best for your pets, and if you follow through with those treatments, you can look forward to the best possible outcomes.
We think that the average pet owner could stand to know more about veterinary care. That's why we created this blog to post articles about vets and their kind, caring nature. We invite you to read what we post and form your own opinions.