Let's first define what periodontal disease is, before discussing the most common treatments for this type of pathology and then we will discuss different ways to avoid it or delay its onset.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease refers to a disorder of all or part of the supporting tissue of the teeth formed by the gums, the alveolar bone, the alveolodental ligament and the cementum.
When this set, called the periodontium, is affected by disease, it is important to realize that this is a serious problem that needs to be examined properly and treated effectively, as it can give rise to to more serious conditions affecting other organs, and also because the affected patient is suffering.
How is periodontal disease diagnosed?
During a consultation with your veterinarian, visual examination of the mouth, without anesthesia, is an essential step in establishing the diagnosis of periodontal disease, whether you came for this reason or not. The color of the teeth is a good indicator of the presence or absence of the disease, in fact, a more yellow color may be the sign of an already well-established condition, regardless of the presence of other symptoms.
Then, the veterinarian will use a probe, after the dog has been anesthetized, to observe the mobility of the animal's teeth and the presence of bleeding, indicative of tissue inflammation. Often, this bleeding is associated with inflammation of the gums, caused by an excess of dental plaque and the presence of tartar in the gingival sulcus. After this direct visual examination, the veterinarian will sometimes take x-rays to determine how badly the bone is damaged and if the prognosis for saving the affected tooth is rather favorable or reserved.
Treating periodontal disease in dogs
At the end of the examination, the veterinarian will issue a diagnosis and establish a treatment protocol to follow. Although certain procedures, such as scaling or tooth extraction, are medical procedures, it is essential that you, the owner, are also involved in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Depending on the dental pathology that affects your companion, your veterinarian will give you a list of recommendations concerning his diet, the medications to give him and when to start or stop brushing his teeth.
How to prevent periodontal disease?
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure and it can be applied here, remembering that it is necessary to brush your dog's teeth every day, in order to prevent the accumulation of food particles and bacteria that promote the formation of dental plaque.To do this, you need to bring a suitable toothpaste, edible without danger by your animal, and an ordinary toothbrush.
To make this moment pleasant and more easily accepted by your pet, you can let him taste the toothpaste like a treat on your finger, before spreading it on his gums and rubbing, or use a cloth impregnated with meat-flavored broth to massage and rub his teeth and gums. You can also reward it with crunchy treats such as carrots, apples or even rice cakes (in moderation!) which will scrape off dental plaque when chewing.