HomeBlogPeriodontal Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, Remedies and Prevention

Periodontal Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, Remedies and Prevention

The periodontitis bacteria infect the oral cavity of dog breeds. It gradually invades the mouth cavity without detectable signs or symptoms unless it reaches an advanced stage. It causes much pain in many types of infections, causing the erosion of the gums and loss of bone and teeth. Supporting structures of the teeth also get either weakened or lost.

The food accumulation and the bacteria attached to it along the gums, which are not brushed away, build up into plaque, which sometimes hardens into a calculus called tartar. This is followed by gingivitis, inflammation, and irritation of the gums, and is an early stage of gum disease.

Depending on the extent of the periodontal disease, it can be extremely painful to a dog, sometimes to the extent that it won’t produce salivary secretion in food intake unless it develops a tooth root abscess. Abscesses are painful and may be considered an emergency. One should understand how to detect signs of gum disease and what can be done to help maintain their dog’s dental health. 

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Dogs: How to Identify This Dental Issue

One of the most noticeable signs of periodontal disease in dogs is halitosis or bad breath. While some owners may dismiss this as just normal “dog breath,” it indicates potential issues within your dog’s mouth. Other clinical signs to watch for include:

  • Brown or yellow-colored teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Gums that are swollen and/or bleeding
  • Loose or missing teeth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Blood on chew toys or in the water bowl
  • Loss of appetite
  • Chewing on one side of the mouth
  • Blood in the water bowl or on chew toys 

What are The Causes of Periodontal Disease?

Bacteria in your dog’s mouth can accumulate and eventually, develop into plaque, which, along with other minerals, will harden in approximately two to three days. Tartar will then form on the tooth and be harder to scrape off.  

  • Plaque Hardening: Plaque that isn’t removed daily can harden, becoming tartar and possibly leading to a gum disease infection.  
  • Smoking: Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for gum disease because smoking can make treatments less effective.  
  • Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause increase the risk for gum disease.  
  • Certain diseases: Diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and rheumatoid arthritis can augment the risk of gum disease.  
  • Medications: Some medicines can cause dry mouth or changes in the gums.  
  • Poor oral hygiene: Non-adherence to good oral hygiene can contribute to gum disease.  
  • Genetics: Genetics is a determinant of gum disease.  
  • Poor nutrition: An inadequate nutrient diet or a severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to gum disease.  
  • Teeth grinding: Clenching or grinding teeth regularly may contribute to gum disease. 

Stages of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

stages of periodontal disease

The stages of periodontal disease in dogs progressed from the first to the fourth. The jaws hold the teeth in the jawbone and periodontal ligaments. With the advance of dental disease, the bone and ligaments will begin wearing off till ultimately the tooth may become loose and fall out. The staging of dental disease in dogs is based on the extent of bone loss that has occurred around the teeth, and there are the following Periodontal diseases in dogs stages:

  1. Gingivitis without loss of bone should be visible as redness along the gum line.
  2. Early periodontal disease with more than 25% bone loss.
  3. Established periodontal disease with 25% to 50% bone loss.
  4. Advanced periodontal disease with more than 50% bone loss. 

Treatment of periodontal disease in dogs : How To Treat Periodontal Disease in Dogs?

Treatment of periodontal disease in dogs consists of professional dental cleanings and at-home dental care, depending on the stage of the disease. Any procedure done on the teeth should include:

  • A complete set of dental radiographs
  • IV catheter and IV fluids
  • Pre-anesthesia blood work
  • Circulating warm air so that the patient stays warm under anesthesia
  • Endotracheal intubation with gas and oxygen
  • Monitoring of anesthesia
  • Scaling, polishing, and lavage of gingival areas
  • Local anesthesia such as novocaine, if any extractions are planned
  • Pain medication during the procedure and drugs to control the pain afterward

At-home dental care:

  • Tooth brushing: Brush your dog’s teeth daily with veterinary toothpaste.
  • Dental Chews or treats: Use dental chews or treats to help prevent plaque.
  • Diet: Give your dog a diet that helps prevent periodontal disease.

Other treatments:

  • Antibiotics: Your veterinarian may prescribe this for you to give your dog after a dental procedure.
  • Pain medication: Your veterinarian may prescribe pain medication to help your dog feel better during and after the procedure. 

Total Cost of Treatment of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

The cost of the treatment varies widely depending on the location and specialization of the veterinarian rendering the treatment. Early treatment of gum disease reduces the expense. Treatments for dogs in stages three and four could be costly.

Treatments for gum diseases in dogs may be itemized according to the following services:

  • Anesthesia For The Dog Dental Procedure (₹1,000 to ₹2,500): This would knock the dog out to assess the mouth and clean its teeth.
  • Dental X-rays (₹ 100 to ₹ 1,000): Necessary to see unexposed areas of the jaw, mouth, and roots of teeth below the gum line.
  • Oral Examination (₹500 to ₹2,000): This physical examination will help the dog’s gum, cheeks, teeth, hard palate, and tongue under anesthesia. 
  • Dental Cleaning (₹1,500 to ₹3,000): Cleaning scaling to get rid of tartar and plaque buildup is done with a professional scaler, then polishing with a prophy paste that removes discoloration and stains.
  • Filling (₹2,000 to ₹5,000): If your dog has a cavity, they will take out any enamel, dentin, or pulp from it and seal it with a filling.
  • Tooth Extraction (₹500 to ₹2,500): In the case of a rotten tooth, people often take out the infected tooth or teeth due to severe decay to treat infections.

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease in Dogs?

Fortunately, periodontal disease is treatable, if found in the early stages, the disease can be treated and even reversed. You should take prevention into your own hands when it comes to your dog’s oral health, just like we do for ourselves. Their mouths need oral hygiene just like ours and are also needed by your dog to receive their regular dental checkup to reveal any grounds for concern.

  • Paid dental exams by your veterinarian: If your dog is predisposed to periodontal disease (Bulldog, Yorkie, Dachshund, German shepherd etc), the dental checkup should be done at least once every six months. Topical applications can also be performed on teeth and gums to help minimize plaque formation, but this should be consistent and performed every day. 
  • At-home tooth brushing: Follow your veterinarian’s instructions about brushing your dog’s teeth with toothpaste joined with a specifically designed dog toothbrush. Do not use human toothpaste since most are made with harmful fluoride to a dog.
  • Specialized food and treats to reduce tartar: Ask your veterinarian to know which ones are the best for your dog.
  • Check for abnormal signs in your dog’s mouth: redness, tartar, bad breath, and loose teeth. 

Also Read: German Shepherd Healthy Food Guide | How Long Can a Cockapoo Be Left Alone? 

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FAQs

1. How long can dogs live with periodontal disease?

Be alert, be proactive! Periodontal diseases are not only dangerous for pets but also are in some instances known to take years off their life unless treated.

2. Is periodontal disease reversible in dogs?

There are four stages to periodontal disease; however, reversal is possible only during the very first stage, which is gingivitis.

3. How painful is periodontal disease in dogs?

By this time, it could already have progressed to that the dog may be possibly in chronic pain wherein an animal would instinctually isolate itself in case of weakness, to avoid being predated on.

4. What happens if you don’t treat periodontal disease in dogs?

When you avoid taking care of your dog’s mouth or ignore treating gum disease, it can lead to the following: extreme pain and food refusal; interference with the immune system; and increased risk for heart disease. 

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