According to the American Veterinary Dental Society over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three years have periodontal disease. Some of the warning signs include bad breath, yellow-brown tartar around the gum line, and pain or reluctance to eat. These are the visible changes, but much more serious problems lurk unseen. Poor dental care leads to the formation of bacteria in the mouth causing oral infections and tooth loss. This infection will spread to other organs including heart, kidneys, and liver. Research has proven that preventative dental care will increase your pet’s life by approximately two years.  

            We are all conscientious when it comes to caring for our family’s teeth. We brush, floss and see our dentist regularly. Our pets need the same level of dental care. An annual dental cleaning will keep your pet feeling well and make them less prone to disease.   Dental healthcare consists of routine homecare, dietary management as well as periodic professional dental cleaning (prophylaxis).  

Let us tell you how to better your pets life....please call The Animal Hospital of Lynchburg at 845-7021 to schedule a free dental consultation with our veterinary technician and receive recommendations for your pet’s dental health. 
            

Four Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, which includes gingivitis and periodontitis, is an inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around dog’s teeth. It’s caused by bacteria that accumulate in the mouth, forming soft plaque that later hardens into tartar. If untreated, periodontal disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.  There are four stages of periodontal disease and a brief descriptor of each stage follows:

Stage 1—Gingivitis

Plaque and tarter build-up can lead to an infection causing inflammation of the gums around the dog’s teeth. Gum tissue around the teeth can become inflamed and swollen. The gum tissue is reddened, but is still completely covering the roots of the teeth.

Stage 2—Mild Periodontitis

Inflammation progresses to an infection that starts to destroy gum and bone tissue around the teeth. This can lead to discomfort for the dog, and bad breath may be noticeable. Notice that the gumline is receding, and the roots of the teeth are begining to show.  These changes are now irreversable.

Stage 3—Moderate Periodontitis

The continuing infection destroys more tissue around the teeth, often causing bleeding of gums and loosening of teeth. The discomfort and pain can affect eating habits and behavior.  These changes are also irreversable, and can often lead to tooth loss or necessary extraction during dental procedures.

Stage 4—Severe Periodontitis

Dear Dr. Jean,    

I heard that the majority of dogs have dental disease by the time they’re three-years-old. Is it really that common?

It is estimated that 85% of dogs aged three and older have some degree of periodontal disease, the most common dental disease in dogs.   And like in humans, periodontal disease is a progressive infection that can lead to painful conditions for dogs that may require difficult and costly treatments down the road.   

Whenever possible, preventing disease is preferable to treating it and in the case of periodontitis, this is especially true. Regular effective home care with daily brushing and early professional cleaning by your veterinarian are among the best preventive measures. Additionally, dogs can receive another layer of prevention from your veterinarian—the Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin—to aid in the prevention of canine periodontitis.

Dear Dr. Jean, 

My veterinarian recommended that I try brushing my dog’s teeth at home every day. Is this really necessary?

Many pet owners don’t realize that bacteria live in a dog’s mouth and are present in the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. If left untreated, these bacteria can cause gingivitis, the inflammation of the gums around the dog’s teeth.  

The good news is that gingivitis is rapidly reversible with good dental hygiene and like your veterinarian advised, tooth brushing is the recommended standard.  

However, even more problematic than gingivitis is periodontitis, a more serious and irreversible condition that, if untreated, can result in the destruction of gum and bone and other tissues around the dog’s teeth.  In those cases, regular professional cleanings and treatment are an important way to help prevent further disease.

Dear Dr. Jean,  

My veterinarian told me about a vaccine which can aid in the prevention of canine periodontitis in my dog.  Do I still need to keep up with at-home care, such as tooth-brushing, if she receives the vaccine?  I have a small dog and it’s so difficult getting a toothbrush into that tiny mouth. 

 The Porphyromonas vaccine is just one part of a complete dental wellness program. To achieve the highest level of oral health care, Pfizer Animal Health recommends pet owners follow all components of good oral hygiene, which includes daily brushing at home and regular visits with your veterinarian.  If you are having problems with daily at-home brushings, share your concerns with your veterinarian so you can develop a dental wellness program that works for you and your dog.  

 You also mentioned you have a small dog. Periodontitis can affect dogs of any breed or size and all dogs can potentially benefit from the Porphyromonas vaccine, but the disease is most common in small-to-medium sized breeds because their smaller mouths often have teeth that can be crowded. This makes it difficult to brush their teeth, which provides more opportunity for bacteria growth. Because of this, you’ll want to pay extra special attention to that little mouth!

 
Dear Dr. Jean, 

Is canine periodontitis really that big of a deal? I mean, I always figured a dog can live a fine life missing a few teeth here and there.

In one word, yes, periodontitis is a big deal, and it can affect more than the dog’s teeth.  In fact, the presence of canine periodontitis has been associated with systemic effects in pets and may cause problems in vital organs (heart or liver).²   

At its worst, periodontitis can ultimately lead to loss of teeth, fracture of the jawbones, and other serious consequences. A dog’s mouth can be compared to a human’s hand, and its daily function is just as critical. When the mouth isn’t working properly — or hurts — the dog suffers.   

Maintaining healthy teeth is critical to keeping a dog healthy and happy.