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How would your teeth look if you only brushed once a year? Did you know that up to 80% of pets develop some form of dental disease by 3 years of age? Pets with healthy teeth live longer on average. Unhealthy teeth can cut 2-3 years off of your pet’s life. During regular physical exams, the veterinarian will take a look at your pet’s teeth and determine the severity of your pet’s dental health.
Here are some signs to look for that may help you identify if your pet has dental disease:
Dental disease begins with the accumulation of plaque on your dog’s or cat’s teeth. Plaque is the soft yellow material that is a mixture of food particles and bacteria. Over time, the plaque begins to harden and forms a mineralized material called tartar, or calculus. Before the plaque turns into tartar is when home care is the most important and beneficial. Once tartar is formed, normal brushing at home is not enough to fully remove it. With tartar being formed, the environment within the mouth becomes favorable to harmful bacteria. When our Veterinarians look at your pet’s teeth during an exam, a tartar grade and a periodontal disease grade, is assigned to your pet. This grade is based on the WORST tooth in the mouth.
Grade I – When the tooth has mild plaque present but no tartar at the time of examination.
Grade II – There is an increased amount of plaque present, and tartar is covering <50% of the tooth.Grade III – Tartar covers 50-80% of the tooth.
Grade IV – Tartar covers 80–100% of the tooth.
Periodontal disease is directly related to the accumulation of tartar on your dog’s or cat’s teeth. As tartar is changing the environment in your pet’s mouth, these new bacteria begin affecting the periodontal ligaments. These ligaments are responsible for attaching the teeth to the bone. As bacteria gain access to these ligaments, the attachment is weakened and bone loss can occur. This creates what we refer to as “Pockets”, and causes loose teeth, bone loss, pain, and eventually teeth will decay and fall out.
Grading the severity of periodontal disease while your pet is awake is a guess, based on the amount of tartar, gingivitis and recession of the gums. Probing for pockets and taking X-rays are the only true way to grade periodontal disease, and this can only be properly done while the pet is under sedation or anesthesia.
Grade 0 – Some plaque or tartar, no bone loss.
Grade I – Mild gingivitis (a red line is visible along the gums), no bone loss. At this point the changes are reversible.
Grade II – Moderate gingivitis, <25% bone loss, gums are swollen, and bad breath. The teeth may still be salvageable at this point. Antibiotics are generally required prior to dental cleaning.Grade III – Severe gingivitis, 25-50% bone loss, gingival recession, sore mouth, and bad breath. Changes may be irreversible, and the possibility of tooth extractions are high. Antibiotics are generally required prior to dental cleaning.
Grade IV – Severe gingivitis, >50% bone loss, severe recession, loose teeth, and bad breath. These changes are irreversible and tooth extractions will be necessary. Long term antibiotics are necessary both prior to the dental cleaning and after the cleaning.