February is Pet Dental Health Month Part 1 of 4
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:18PM Periodontal disease: The cause of stinky kisses from our furry friends.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease starts with plaque. Plaque is a layer of bacteria and yeast that colonize the teeth. The layer of bacteria (also called a biofilm) mixes with calcium, causing tartar. The tartar provides a rough surface for more plaque to accumulate. Calculus is what we can visually see building up on the teeth. The plaque on the gingiva will creep down under the gums (gingiva) forming pockets, which can break down the attachment of the tooth to the bone. This will cause the tooth to become mobile, bacteria can enter bloodstream, abscesses around the roots, and most importantly…pain. In summary, periodontal disease is inflammation of bone, gingiva, and ligaments attaching tooth to bone. Gingivitis is only inflammation of the gums, and proceeds periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream. There are proven associations between periodontal disease and systemic organ abnormalities. Good oral health is beneficial in any treatment of systemic disease. Certain diseases and breeds can be predisposed to periodontal disease. Examples include dogs or cats with FIV, feline leukemia virus, Cushing’s Disease, Hypothyroidism, and immune mediated diseases. Toy breeds (poodle, yorkies, Chihuahuas, etc) are more prone to periodontal disease. These animals may require multiple cleanings per year, and more aggressive at home care. As your pet’s dental disease advances anorexia, choric infections, and behavioral changes will be noticed.
To find out where your pet stands with their dental issues, please schedule a dental exam. Hampton Cove Animal Hospital is offering free dental exams with our licensed veterinary technicians. Please schedule your appointment today.
Reader Comments (1)
Great tips and planning to take my kitty for dental exam in this month, and a lot of animal hospital make discounts.