Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Pet Periodontal Disease

Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Pet Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the most common oral health problem our veterinarians see. It’s not unusual, considering 90% of dog and cat adults already show disease symptoms by age 3. If not addressed, oral disease can lead to discomfort, tooth loss, infection, and damage to vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Crucial details regarding periodontal disease will be discussed in this article, including its causes, symptoms, prevention, and available treatment options.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Dental health is essential to the animal’s overall well-being. The following is some crucial information regarding pet periodontal disease that you should understand:

Causes and Signs

Plaque forms in a pet’s mouth when bacteria combine with other food particles and minerals and hardens in about three days. Calculus is hard to eliminate from the teeth. Gum inflammation and other signs of the disease become obvious as the immune system reacts to the growing threat caused by the bacteria in the mouth.

There are some obvious symptoms of periodontal diseases, such as:

• Halitosis
• Loose teeth
• Stained teeth
• Swelling gums
• Sensitive gums
• Behavior changes
• Facial swelling
• Excessive drooling
• Pawing at the mouth

Your pet might experience extreme chronic pain from periodontal disease in its advanced stages, which they may instinctively hide to avoid appearing weak to potential predators.

Prevention

Training your pet to accept dental cleanings and proper dog and cat dental care is the primary step in preventing and treating periodontal disease. Brush your pet’s teeth every day with a soft toothbrush. Your veterinarian may also suggest dental health chews. You can repair the effects of gingivitis if you exercise this daily and follow your veterinarian’s advised schedule for in-office cleanings.

Treatment

Your pet’s annual wellness examination should include an oral examination. The veterinarian will identify the next action in your pet’s oral care with the help of a comprehensive examination of your pet’s mouth and explain any signs or issues you have seen. For many pets, routine cleanings under general anesthesia are essential to keep their teeth healthy and deal with periodontal disease-related problems.

To learn more about what goes into the pet wellness exams, visit websites like https://www.cumberlandanimalclinic.com/site/veterinary-services-smyrna/cat-dog-routine-exams.

Pet periodontics includes both diagnosing and treating gum illness. The treatment option will depend on the extent of the condition. If infection, bone loss, or pain has damaged the teeth to the point where they can not be saved, your vet will likely recommend removal.

Does it need surgery?

Your pet’s mouth can be repaired to its ideal possible condition with the help of surgery, which can also aid in healing the bone and cleaning out your pet’s gums. So, how does a periodontal surgical procedure look? Your pet’s periodontal treatment will depend greatly on the stage of periodontitis they are already experiencing.

Gingivitis, early periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and chronic periodontitis are the four stages of periodontal disease. Tooth loss is likely during the most advanced stages.

Cost

Treatment options and their costs can differ significantly depending on your vet’s ability to provide the level of care your pet needs and other factors. General anesthesia is needed even for basic procedures like cleaning and polishing; for that reason, costs may exceed expectations. Book appointment and make sure to clarify whether the estimated price includes the cost of anesthesia and the office visit in advance.

Final Thoughts

Dental care for humans and pets is equally important; however, the latter needs your help. Many pet owners assume that their furry friends’ bad breath is common; however, it can point to a more severe problem. Routine dental examinations and diligent at-home dental treatment can keep your pet’s dental healthy. It’s an everyday commitment, but it’s essential for pets with periodontal disease or at risk of acquiring it.