Oral health is a critical component of a dog’s overall health. But if we’re honest, we probably don’t pay much attention to what’s happening in our dogs’ mouths until there’s an obvious problem, like bad breath.
Tooth decay and periodontal disease are separate oral health issues in dogs – we’ll explain the differences. Periodontal disease is far more common than tooth decay in dogs, so we’ll spend the most time discussing periodontal disease, including the stages of the disease, what it looks like, and how you can treat and try to prevent it.
What is Dog Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay in dogs is the development of cavities (also known as dental caries), which are bacterial infections of the teeth. Cavities are rare in dogs, affecting only about 10 percent of dogs.
Cavities form when plaque, a collection of bacteria, forms on the teeth. Plaque is mildly acidic and, over time, can wear down and create a hole in the enamel, the hard outer covering of the teeth. Cavities in dogs typically develop on the biting surface of the molars.
If the plaque remains on the teeth, it eventually hardens into tartar.
Symptoms of tooth decay include bad breath, discolored teeth, difficulty chewing, and refusal to eat.
Compared to people, dogs rarely suffer from tooth decay for several reasons. For example, dog teeth don’t have as many fissures as human teeth, leaving fewer places for cavities to develop. Also, a dog’s diet is lower in carbohydrates than ours, so their teeth aren’t exposed to substances that can wear down the enamel and cause a cavity.
Dog Tooth Decay Vs. Periodontal Disease
While many people may use the phrases “dog tooth decay stages” and “periodontal disease stages” interchangeably, they are actually different oral health issues for our canine companions.
Tooth decay primarily affects the tooth. But periodontal disease affects the supporting structures around the tooth including a dog’s:
- Gums
- Jawbone
- Cementum (covers the tooth root)
- Periodontal ligament (attaches the tooth root to the bone)
Collectively, these supporting structures are called the periodontium.
Unlike tooth decay and cavities in dogs, periodontal disease is very common in dogs. It affects approximately 80 percent of dogs over age 3.
Like tooth decay, periodontal disease begins with plaque formation that hardens into tartar. However, periodontal disease has several stages, which we’ll describe below. Dog tooth decay is not classified into stages by veterinarians.
Periodontal Disease Stages in Dogs
Periodontal disease is classified into four stages, ranging from mild to severe:
Stage 1 – Gingivitis
The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. Plaque on the teeth hardens and mineralizes into tartar, a rough substance that attracts even more plaque to the teeth. Bacteria in the plaque travel under the gumline, causing irritation and inflammation.
With gingivitis, the gums start to appear red and swollen. You might also see a thin red line of inflammation along the gum line.
Gingivitis is the only reversible stage of periodontal disease.
Stage 2 – Periodontitis
Stage two is called early periodontitis, which is inflammation of the periodontium. This inflammatory response, triggered by the plaque bacteria, weakens the tooth-supporting structures, leading to bone loss.
The bone loss is visible on oral X-rays. In stage two of periodontal disease, this bone loss is estimated at less than 25 percent.
Symptoms in this stage are more pronounced than in stage one. For example, you’ll notice not only red and swollen gums but also visible plaque and tartar on the teeth and bad breath.
Stage 3 – Moderate Periodontitis
Stage three is moderate periodontitis. By now, approximately 25 to 50 percent of bone loss has occurred. The gums are very inflamed and bleed easily. Your dog will have bad breath and significant oral pain. This pain will make it difficult for your dog to chew and swallow food, reducing food intake.
You may notice your dog dropping food out of their mouth because they cannot chew it.
Stage 4 – Severe Periodontal Disease
Stage 4 is the most severe stage of periodontal disease. Over 50 percent of bone loss has occurred, putting your dog at high risk of losing teeth. With advanced periodontal disease, bacteria in the mouth may travel through the bloodstream to other organs. If this occurs, your dog will show signs of systemic disease, including weight loss and reduced appetite.
Other signs of advanced periodontal disease include terrible breath, excessive drooling, and visible tooth roots. Your dog may also become more aggressive or withdraw from the family and not want to play with their chew toys.
The Impact of Periodontal Disease on Your Dog’s Health
Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can seriously affect your dog’s health. In the mouth, periodontal disease can cause the issues listed below:
- Jaw fracture
- Oronasal fistulas (hole from the mouth to the nose)
- Oral abscesses (pockets of bacterial infection)
Bacteria from the mouth can migrate to the heart, liver, and kidneys, causing problems such as liver disease, kidney disease, and endocarditis (inflammation of the heart’s inner lining).
In addition, in dogs with diabetes, periodontal disease can worsen diabetes. Why? Inflammation triggered by plaque bacteria can affect glucose metabolism in the blood, making it more difficult for dogs with diabetes to regulate their glucose levels.
Taken together, periodontal disease can negatively impact not only your dog’s health but also their quality of life.
How to Treat Periodontal Disease in Dogs
Treatment for periodontal disease invariably requires a professional dental cleaning, even for mild gingivitis. Ideally, treatment begins at stage 1, but periodontal disease often isn’t noticed by pet parents until it is more advanced.
A professional dental cleaning is extensive and must be done under full anesthesia to clean the visible part of the tooth and below the gumline. Tooth extractions or other advanced dental procedures are often needed for severe periodontal disease.
Oral Exam & Prep
Before any cleaning takes place, your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive oral exam to assess the severity of periodontal disease. When your dog is fully anesthetized, your vet will examine every part of your dog’s mouth, taking note of plaque and tartar accumulation and gum appearance. They will also look for loose teeth and other dental problems, such as abscesses. They may use a dog dental chart to note the teeth that have problems or need to be extracted.
Your vet will also take oral X-rays to evaluate the extent of bone loss.
Teeth Cleaning & Extractions
After the exam, the cleaning will begin. Scaling is performed first to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. Then, polishing is done to smoothen the tooth surfaces, making it harder for plaque to stick.
Don’t worry if your dog needs to have some teeth extracted. Dogs adjust very well without a full set of teeth. It is much better for your dog to have fewer but healthy teeth rather than diseased teeth that will inevitably cause pain, discomfort, and other problems.
If more advanced dental surgery is needed, your vet may give your dog antibiotics before the procedures to prevent bacterial infections in other parts of your dog’s body.
Professional dental cleanings are essential to treat periodontal disease effectively, but regular at-home dental care is vital to keeping your dog’s mouth healthy before and after professional cleanings.
Tips for Preventing Periodontal Disease in Dogs
Because periodontal disease in dogs is so common, preventing it completely isn’t practical. However, regular at-home dental care can help prevent the disease from progressing and becoming severe. Here are tips for preventing severe periodontal disease in your dog:
Start early. The earlier in your dog’s life that you start their at-home dental care, the better. However, you can still begin an oral health routine when your dog is well into adulthood.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily. Daily toothbrushing is recommended to prevent plaque from staying on the teeth long enough to harden into tartar. Daily toothbrushing also keeps the gums healthy, keeping gingivitis at bay. Make sure to use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste.
Select safe chew toys. Chew toys promote good oral health by helping to break up plaque on the teeth. But chew toys that are too hard can chip and fracture the teeth (ouch!). Select chew toys that are hard enough for your dog to chew on but not so hard that your dog can’t chew on them at all.
Consider a dental diet. Dental diets are formulated to be hard enough to help break up plaque on the teeth. These specialized diets are typically available with a veterinary prescription. Your vet will advise whether your dog could benefit from a dental diet.
Schedule annual dental cleanings. Annual professional dental cleanings and oral exams will give your dog’s mouth the extra care and cleaning needed to prevent severe periodontal disease.
Schedule regular vet visits. Your vet will look in your dog’s mouth during every visit, making it possible to detect periodontal disease early enough to start treatment early.
