Treatment for Dental Disease in Pets
Dental disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats — with statistics showing that 80 percent of pets will have some early evidence of gum disease by the time they are 3 years old. Left untreated, dental disease will worsen as your pet ages, resulting in pain, tooth loss, infection, and even damage to vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
What is Dental?Disease?
Dental disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues of teeth and, if untreated, can lead to progressive tissue damage, chronic pain, gum erosion, bone loss, and even tooth loss, which can be devastating to your pet.?
Dental disease can also cause systemic problems that will affect your pet’s overall health—liver, kidney, and heart disease can develop as the result of both chronic oral inflammation and as bacteria in the mouth spread throughout the body.
Causes of Dental Disease in?Pets
Dental disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which triggers inflammation and infections in the surrounding tissues. Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that forms on teeth after eating, but if your dog’s teeth aren’t brushed daily, plaque will accumulate, become mineralized and turn into dental calculus—often referred to as tartar. Once formed, tartar can only be removed by your vet.
Bacteria in plaque and tartar release toxins that irritate and inflame gums, resulting in gingivitis (early stage of gum disease) and, eventually, periodontal disease (advanced stage of gum disease). Symptoms of dental disease vary depending on the stage, but the most common signs include the following:
How is Dental Disease Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will use several tools to screen for and diagnose dental disease. All this diagnostic testing is performed under general anesthesia.
领英推荐
Can You Ever Get Rid of Periodontal Disease?
The early stage of periodontal disease is treatable and curable with daily (or even weekly) brushing and good oral health care. When your pet enters stages 2 and 3 of periodontal disease, the damage is often irreversible, but you can prevent it from getting worse with proper treatment, consistent at-home care as well as regular dental cleanings. If periodontal disease is in stage 4, it may not be possible to save the affected teeth.
How Do Vets Treat Dental?Disease?
The first step to treating gum disease is a deep dental cleaning, which includes scaling the teeth above and below the gumline to remove plaque and tartar buildup. The vet will do a deep cleaning of any abnormal periodontal pockets and polish the teeth, creating a smooth surface that makes it more difficult for plaque and bacteria to stick to the tooth.
They will then apply an antibiotic gel into those areas to help to close those pockets and prevent further destruction of the tooth attachments. This procedure is usually done under anesthesia to ensure your pet is comfortable.
Your vet will recommend a schedule to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned regularly to keep their mouth and gums healthy. You will also be given instructions on how to do weekly cleanings at home to protect the newly cleaned gums and teeth.
How Can Gum Disease in Pets Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent gum disease in pets is by being proactive. This consists of brushing your pet’s teeth daily. There are also dental chews, dog food, and chew toys specifically designed to address dental disease and keep tartar from getting out of control (but don’t try to use these to replace daily brushing — they may serve as a supplement to regular oral care). Your pet should also see the vet at least once every six months for an oral health evaluation and cleaning.
Wrapping Up
With the proper care and regular dental visits with your veterinarian, you can prevent oral health issues like gum disease before they even begin. At-home care paired with thorough examinations and cleanings will help to keep your pet’s mouth free of potentially dangerous dental diseases.