Treatment of periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is the most common disease of dogs and cats after the age of 3. We treat it in stages: dental treatment with X-rays, cleaning of periodontal pockets, extractions where necessary, and a home dental care plan.
What it involves
The periodontium is everything that holds a tooth in place: the gum, ligament and bone. Periodontal disease begins with bacterial plaque and gingivitis, and if untreated it destroys the ligament and bone, creating pockets in which infection develops. The teeth become loose and fall out, and bacteria from the mouth constantly enter the bloodstream.
Treatment consists of removing the cause, that is plaque and tartar from the pockets, and assessing each tooth: which can be kept after cleaning and which have to be removed because they have lost their support. We cannot rebuild destroyed bone, but we can halt further loss and relieve chronic pain.
The other half of the treatment happens at home. Without daily hygiene, plaque builds up again within days. That is why after every procedure we teach brushing and agree a realistic plan that can be kept up.
When it is used
We start treatment when at the consultation we find red, receded or bleeding gums, tartar, an unpleasant odour or loose teeth. We determine the stage only under anaesthesia, after probing the pockets and taking X-rays.
Small and miniature dog breeds (Yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas, Maltese, dachshunds), brachycephalic breeds and cats are particularly at risk — in these animals it is worth checking the mouth at least once a year.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- The dog's or cat's gums are dark red next to the teeth and bleed when touched or during play.
- The mouth smells bad, and the odour returns a few weeks after cleaning.
- The gum has visibly receded and exposes the roots of the teeth.
- A tooth is loose or has fallen out by itself; sometimes you find it in the bowl or on the bed.
- The animal eats carefully, chews on one side, spits out kibble.
- The dog or cat has a reduced appetite but pounces on soft food.
- Swelling of the mouth or purulent discharge from the gum appears.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
Before the procedure we carry out a pre-anaesthetic assessment according to standard STD-01: clinical examination, blood count and biochemistry, and in older or higher-risk patients a chest X-ray and echocardiogram. We are particularly interested in the kidneys and liver, because chronic inflammation in the mouth often goes hand in hand with problems there.
Proper periodontal diagnosis takes place under anaesthesia: we probe the depth of the pockets at every tooth, assess mobility and gum recession, and take dental X-rays, which show how much bone is left. We record the result on the dental chart — it is the reference point for later check-ups.
How it proceeds
The procedure follows the same steps as dental treatment, with the addition of treatment of the pockets. The patient is under general anaesthesia with intubation and monitoring in line with STD-02, on a heating mat, with fluid therapy. After X-rays and probing, we remove tartar above and below the gumline, clean the pockets with hand instruments, and for deep pockets we may apply a long-acting antibiotic preparation locally.
Teeth that have lost most of their support, are loose or have an abscess are removed during the same anaesthetic after a nerve block — leaving them in place would mean further pain and recurrence of infection. The tooth surfaces are polished. The procedure usually takes 45–120 minutes, depending on the number of extractions.
Recovery takes place in the hospital under observation, and the patient goes home the same day with a dental chart, the images and a hygiene plan.
Aftercare
After the procedure: a soft diet for 7–14 days if there were extractions, pain relief as set out in the discharge notes, and a check-up after 7–10 days. After that we start home dental care — we show the brushing technique with toothpaste made for animals and choose supplements (gels, water additives, dental diets) that make sense for the stage of the disease.
We plan a follow-up oral examination every 6–12 months; in advanced disease we repeat dental treatment under anaesthesia when the disease recurs. Call us if swelling, fever, nasal discharge or persistent loss of appetite appears after the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Can periodontal disease in a dog be cured?
Gingivitis, yes. We cannot rebuild bone that has been lost, but we can halt the disease at its current stage, remove the pain and infection, and keep the teeth that still have support.
Does periodontal disease harm the heart and kidneys?
Chronic inflammation in the mouth is a constant source of bacteria and inflammation in the body; it is linked with changes in the heart, kidneys and liver. Treating the mouth is part of caring for the whole body.
Does dry food protect against tartar?
Ordinary dry food does so only to a small extent. The real difference is made by daily brushing; specialist dental diets and chews are a supplement, not a substitute.
My dog won't let me brush its teeth. What then?
We teach how to introduce brushing gradually — most dogs can get there in a few weeks. If not, we choose other methods and plan more frequent check-ups.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Do you have questions about the treatment of periodontal disease?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.