{"id":574,"date":"2018-02-14T11:17:28","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T18:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/?p=574"},"modified":"2025-10-09T09:45:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T15:45:36","slug":"pet-dental-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/pet-dental-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"The Four Stages of Pet Dental Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FourPet dental disease, also called periodontal disease, is one of the most common clinical conditions seen by our veterinarians. This comes as no surprise when we consider that most adult dogs and cats show some signs of the disease by the time they reach 3 years of age. If left untreated, pet dental disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection, and even damage to the vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.<\/p>\n

At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we prioritize your pet’s dental health. We want to shine a spotlight on periodontal disease<\/b> and discuss how pet owners can actively prevent and treat this serious condition. Keeping your pet’s mouth healthy is key to their overall well-being!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What Is Periodontal Disease?<\/h2>\n

Periodontal disease<\/a> in pets occurs when plaque film and tartar (hardened plaque) build up on the teeth both above and below the gum line. This accumulation irritates the gum tissue and allows bacteria to flourish, leading to damage of the supportive structures of the teeth.\u00a0Significant pain, oral infection, bone and tooth loss, and even systemic damage can occur as a result of untreated periodontal disease.<\/p>\n

4 Stages of Pet Dental Disease<\/h3>\n

Pet dental disease comes in four stages:<\/p>\n

Stage 1<\/strong> \u2013 Early stage gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums in response to the presence of tartar and bacteria. You may observe some gum swelling. A thin red line on the gums next to the teeth may also be visible during this stage.<\/p>\n

Stage 2<\/strong> \u00a0\u2013 Early periodontitis, this stage occurs when there is a small amount of bone loss – less than 25% – visible on oral radiographs. You may notice inflammation of your pet\u2019s gums, bad breath, and some visible plaque and tartar. A professional cleaning<\/a> is needed to remove the plaque and tartar, and to reverse the progress of dental disease.<\/p>\n

Stage 3<\/strong> \u2013 Serious dental damage begins to occur at stage 3, also known as moderate periodontitis. Bone loss of\u00a0 25-50% is visible on oral radiographs. Gums become swollen and irritated, and bleed easily. There is loss of gum attachment to the tooth, forming areas known as periodontal pockets. Your pet may also experience bad breath and significant pain, and need to have infected and\/or damaged teeth removed.<\/p>\n

Stage 4<\/strong> \u2013 Extreme, chronic periodontal disease is the 4th and final stage. Bone loss of 50% or higher is visible on oral radiographs. Your pet is not only in severe pain but is at risk of losing multiple teeth. Your pet is also at risk of developing a systemic infection. This infection causes damage to internal organs by entering through the mouth and into the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body.<\/p>\n

Preventing and Treating Pet Dental Disease<\/h3>\n

An oral examination is an important part of your pet\u2019s annual wellness exam. A thorough exam of your pet\u2019s mouth will help our veterinarian determine the next step in your pet\u2019s oral care<\/a>. Most pets require regular cleanings performed under general anesthesia<\/a> in order to ensure the health of their teeth, as well as to correct any problems caused by periodontal disease.<\/p>\n

Regular teeth brushing<\/a> is an essential part of your pet\u2019s ongoing oral health regiment. Your veterinarian will be happy to demonstrate proper brushing technique and answer any questions you have. Daily brushing, combined with checkups and dental cleanings will help your pet have a healthier and more comfortable life.<\/p>\n

As always, your team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center is here for you and your pet! Don\u2019t hesitate to contact us<\/a> to schedule your pet\u2019s next visit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pet dental disease, also called periodontal disease, is one of the most common clinical conditions seen by our veterinarians. This comes as no surprise when we consider that most adult dogs and cats show some signs of the disease by the time they reach 3 years of age. If left untreated, pet dental disease can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,12],"tags":[406,25,208],"class_list":["post-574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-dental-care","category-pet-health-wellness","tag-pet-dental-disease","tag-pet-mouth-care","tag-pet-tooth-care"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Four Stages of Pet Dental Disease<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the Four Stages of Pet Dental Disease. 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