Important Facts About Pet Periodontal Disease Pet Owners Should Know

Periodontal disease is the most common dental health problem our vets find. It’s not shocking, given that 90% of dog and cat adults already show disease symptoms by age 3. If not addressed, pet dental disease can trigger discomfort, tooth loss, infection, and even harm to vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Essential details regarding periodontal disease will be discussed in this post, including its causes, symptoms, prevention, and available treatment options.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Dental health is vital to your pet’s general wellness. The following are some essential details regarding pet periodontal disease that you must recognize:

Causes and Symptoms

Plaque develops in a pet’s mouth when bacteria combine with other food particles and minerals and hardens in about three days. Calculus is tough to eliminate from the teeth. Gum swelling and other signs of the illness become obvious as the immune system responds to the growing risk posed by the bacteria in the mouth.

There are some noticeable symptoms of gum disease, such as:

• Foul breath
• Loose teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Swelling gums
• Sensitive gums
• Behavior changes
• Facial swelling
• Too much drooling
• Pawing at the mouth

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

Prevention

Training your pet to accept dental cleanings is the primary step in preventing and treating periodontal disease. Brush your pet’s teeth every day with a soft toothbrush. Your vet may also recommend dental health chews. You can repair the results of gingivitis if you do this every day and follow Cumberland Animal Clinic vet dentists‘ recommended schedule for in-office cleanings.

Treatment

Your pet’s yearly health checkup must include a dental checkup. The vet will identify the next action in your pet’s dental treatment with the help of a comprehensive examination of your pet’s mouth and explaining any symptoms or issues you have seen. For many pets, regular cleanings under general anesthesia are needed to preserve their teeth’ health and address any periodontal disease-related problems. You can check out this link to learn more about your pet’s annual checkups.

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

Does it need surgery?

Your pet’s mouth can be repaired to its ideal possible condition with the help of a surgical procedure, which can also help to heal the bone and clean out your pet’s gums. So, how does periodontal surgical treatment look? Find out by searching for top pet surgeries in the area. Your pet’s periodontal treatment will depend greatly on the stage of periodontitis they are currently experiencing.

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

Cost

Treatment solutions and their costs can differ significantly depending on your veterinarian’s ability to offer the care your pet needs and other factors. General anesthesia is needed even for basic procedures like cleaning and polishing; therefore, costs might go over what you expect. Be sure to clarify whether the estimated price includes the cost of anesthesia and the clinic visit in advance.

Bottom Line

Dental care for humans and pets is equally important, but the latter needs your help. Many pet owners assume that their furry friends’ foul breath is common, but it can indicate a more serious problem. Regular dental appointments and thorough at-home dental care can maintain your pet’s oral wellness. It’s an everyday responsibility, but it’s crucial for pets with periodontal disease or at risk of acquiring it.