What is periodontitis

Periodontal disease is a series of changes associated with inflammation and loss of the deep supporting structures of the teeth.

How periodontal disease develops

Food particles and bacteria collect along the gums to form plaque. If the plaque is not removed, the minerals in the saliva bind to the plaque and form tartar (or calculus) that adheres strongly to the teeth. Plaques begin to mineralize 3-5 days after formation. Tartar irritates the gums and causes an inflammation called gingivitis. This can be seen as redness of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It can also cause bad breath.

If calculus is not removed, it can accumulate under the gums. It creates "pockets" that separate the gums from the teeth and encourage more bacterial growth. At this point, the damage is irreversible and is known as "periodontal disease." This can be very painful and can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, bone loss, or infection.

Factors that cause periodontitis

Many factors play a role in the formation of plaque, tartar, and the development of periodontal disease. These include:

1. Age and general health

2. Eating and chewing behavior

3. Breed, genetics and dental alignment

4. Beauty habits

5. Home care

6. Oral environment

Age and Health: Periodontal disease often affects older animals.

Eating and Chewing Behavior: Studies show that hard foods are slightly better than canned foods at keeping plaque from accumulating on teeth. Dogs that chew on various toys or edible dental chews may eliminate some of the plaque buildup.

Breed, Genetics, and Dental Alignment: Small-cephaled dogs are at greater risk for periodontal disease because their teeth are often crowded together. This results in increased plaque accumulation.

Grooming Habits: The buildup and impact of hair around the teeth can increase the development of tartar.

Home Care: Brushing your dog's teeth regularly can greatly reduce the buildup of plaque and the development of tartar, thereby reducing the risk of periodontal disease.

Oral environment: Generally speaking, the more acidic the saliva, the faster plaque builds up. The amount and type of bacteria in the mouth influence the development of periodontal disease.

Symptoms of periodontal disease

As periodontal disease progresses, you may observe the following signs:

1. Purulent exudate (pus) around the teeth

2. Persistent bad breath

3. Bleeding easily

4. Sensitive taste

5. Redness, hyperplasia or gum recession

6. Loose or missing teeth

7. Loss of appetite

8. Stomach or intestinal disorders

9. Drooling

10. Difficulty chewing or eating

11. Irritation or depression

How to diagnose periodontal disease

Is surgery necessary for periodontal disease

Treatment depends on the severity (grade) of the problem. In all cases, a preoperative examination should be performed. In some cases, this may include some pre-anesthetic blood testing. These exams and tests are meant to evaluate your dog's health and point out any potential problems. Many times, your dog will be started on antibiotics several days before a scheduled dental procedure. Your dog will be anesthetized and monitored during the procedure.

Level I or II: Dogs with Type I or II disease will receive routine professional prophylaxis (dental cleaning and polishing, often called "prophy"). Gum and tartar build-up will be removed above and below the teeth with handheld and ultrasonic scalers. The teeth are then polished to remove microscopic scratches where plaque buildup and stone accumulation can occur. Check each tooth and the entire mouth for all diseases. Fluoride can be applied.

Two reasons why it is important to treat and control periodontal disease:

1. Keep teeth and gums healthy

2. Prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body

Class III and IV: After the tooth has been scaled as described above, probing and dental radiography will be performed to select the appropriate treatment. Treatment options are root planing and subgingival curettage, periodontal debridement, gingivectomy, periodontal surgery, special treatments and tooth extraction.

Root planing: Root planing involves removing remaining calculus and diseased cementum or dentin and smoothing the root surface. This procedure is difficult to learn and usually requires several months of training and practice.

Subgingival curettage: Subgingival curettage removes diseased epithelium and connective tissue. This is also a difficult process.

Periodontal debridement: Periodontal debridement may be performed instead of root extraction and gum curettage. During this process, irritants such as bacteria and endotoxins produced by bacteria on the tooth and root surfaces are removed. This is achieved using special ultrasonic scalers.

Gingivectomy: During a gingivectomy, overgrowth or excess gum is removed. The area between this excess tissue and the tooth is a perfect habitat for bacteria.

Periodontal surgery: These procedures involve opening the gums at the base of the tooth so that deeper structures can be reached.

Special treatments: Newer products on the market include artificial materials that are placed inside pockets to stimulate bone and periodontal growth. Some include antibiotics that are released for weeks after application. Others are sealants and plaque preventers.

Tooth extraction: In some cases,The tooth cannot be saved, or alternative procedures are chosen not to be performed. In these cases, tooth extraction is the only option.

What type of care and home care is required for a Class I or II pet?

Pets with Class I or II disease will be placed on a normal brushing and home dental care routine to control plaque. Measures include mechanical plaque removal through brushing and chewing; chemical plaque removal through toothpastes, gels, and rinses; and proper nutrition, possibly using specially formulated foods, to reduce the number of plaque and spots on the teeth.

tip: It is very important for pet owners to take good care of their teeth

What type of aftercare and home care are needed for pets with level III or IV disease?

Several treatments are required for pets with level III or IV disease. plays a vital role in this care.

Pain and anti-inflammatory medications: Medications to relieve pain and reduce inflammation may be administered after dental surgery and for several weeks.

Antibiotics: Antibiotic treatment is important. Commonly used antibiotics include amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Clavamox), clindamycin (Antirobe), and cefadroxil (Cefa-Tabs and Cefa-Drops). These antibiotics can be given 1-2 weeks after surgery. Pulse therapy may also be used, in which antibiotics are administered on the first 5 days of each month to try to lower the number of bacteria in the mouth.

Topical medications: Products containing zinc ascorbate, stannous fluoride, chlorhexidine, or plaque prevention agents may need to be applied to the teeth regularly.

Restrict or ban chew toys: If you have flap surgery, you will need to ban chew toys for the first month so healing can occur. In other cases, chew toys, except soft toys, may need to be banned.

Diet: Depending on the condition, your dog may need to be fed a soft diet for about a week after treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend feeding your dog a specialized dry diet to help control plaque and tartar buildup.

Brushing: Your veterinarian will explain the best brushing habits for your dog. It is recommended to brush once a day or every 2 to 3 days

Regular Checkups: Dogs with periodontal disease require frequent checkups to evaluate their oral health. For some animals, pocket depth may need to be rechecked after 4-6 weeks of treatment. For others, routine checkups 2-4 times per year will be required.