Periodontal disease refers to the inflammation and infection of some or all of the tissues and structures that surround and support the teeth. These include the gingiva (gums), cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease is one of the most common veterinary problems in domestic dogs, and it affects all breeds and both genders. Periodontal disease tends to worsen with age, mainly due to poor dental care and resulting bacterial build-up.Periodontal disease is largely
With the right tools and a bit of practice, you’ll be brushing your dog’s teeth in no time. Healthy clean teeth will prevent tooth and blood infections and help your dog live a longer life.To begin brushing your dog’s teeth, purchase a canine tooth brushing kit. It should include toothpaste and a toothbrush especially designed for a dog’s teeth and mouth. Never, ever, use human toothpaste on dogs. While we know to spit our toothpaste
Keeping your dog's mouth healthy can be a valuable tool in maintaining the overall wellbeing of your dog. Hear are some helpful tips to sustaining a healthy mouth in dogs.To keep your dog’s mouth healthy, it is important to give dogs plenty of healthy chewies that help to break up plaque and keep teeth strong. For a healthy mouth, dogs should also eat dry, crunchy, and nutritionally balanced meals.Now that dogs are living longer than
Dogs with periodontal disease tend to have bad breath and obvious inflammation, swelling, soreness and redness of the gums. As the disease progresses, their gums may appear to recede, owners may notice teeth staining and the gums may bleed or become ulcerated. Teeth also commonly become loose and fall out. The condition is quite painful; affected dogs may resist close inspection of their oral cavity. Small and toy breed dogs with crowded teeth tend to
Periodontal disease in dogs is not difficult to diagnose and usually can be readily identified by a thorough oral examination.The initial database for a dog presenting with symptoms suggesting periodontal disease includes a complete history, thorough physical examination, thorough examination of the teeth, gums and oral cavity, complete blood count, serum chemistry profile and urinalysis. These inquiries can provide valuable information about the dog’s internal organs and overall health and should be conducted before general
In most cases, dogs with periodontal disease will need to be placed under general anesthesia for a complete dental examination and treatment, which may include cleaning above and below the gum line, scaling, polishing and extracting badly decayed teeth. The goals of treating canine periodontal disease are to remove and control accumulations of plaque and calculus, extract those teeth that are irreparably damaged, prevent loss of the attachment between teeth and bone and prevent further
A quiet revolution has occurred in veterinary dentistry and you need to know about it, because early intervention dental care programs prevent more than just tooth decay.Advanced medical equipment, increased levels of training for veterinarians and registered technicians, and comprehensive client education programs are helping bring modern dentistry to your community. Board certified dental specialists are also increasingly available. A general veterinary practitioner will refer your pet to a dental specialist for complicated dental procedures.Some
Periodontal disease is the single greatest challenge in dentistry and it is the most frequently seen condition in the veterinary hospital. Gum disease affects 85% of dogs and cats over three years of age.This disease of the supportive structures of the teeth is progressive, unrelenting, usually non-regenerative, and incurable. With proper care, however, it is manageable, and one must think prevention rather than cure when thinking about this disease.Plaque can be deposited on the tooth's