What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is inflammation or other disease process affecting some or all of the tissues immediately surrounding and supporting a tooth. These support structures include the gingiva (gums), cementum, periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone (boney tooth socket).

The disease process starts with normally present, aerobic (oxygen utilizing), oral bacteria adhering to the tooth surface on deposits of salivary proteins. After a few days, this plaque thickens, mineralizes, and becomes calculus (tartar). Plaque is soft and can be removed with a toothbrush. Tartar requires metal instruments or an ultrasonic scaler to remove.

The calculus is rough and irritating to the gingiva and other tissues it comes in contact with, and causes these tissues to become inflamed. Concurrently, anaerobic (without oxygen) environments form under the gingiva and are populated by anearobic bacteria. These bacteria produce toxins that destroy the surrounding soft and boney tissues.

The disease process progresses from no disease (normal tissues), to stage 1 disease (gingivitis with no attachment loss). Stage 2 disease has up to 25% of attachment loss. Stage 3 disease has 25-50% attachment loss. Stage 4, or advanced periodontitis, has greater than 50% of attachment loss.

Periodontal disease must not be thought of as a localized disease. Even gingivitis causes pain. Pain causes changes throughout the body leading to other health problems and decrease quality of life. With stage 4 disease, severe pain is present. Additionally, when the patient with periodontal disease chews, bacteria enter the blood and cause infections in distant locations, including the kidneys, liver and heart. Periodontal disease is a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Treatment for periodontal disease ranges from scaling and polishing, to surgery for root planing, to surgical extraction. Any treatment protocol will include at home care. The first step is to have a veterinarian evaluate your pet during an office exam. However, a thorough and complete oral exam always requires anesthesia.

The goal is to prevent periodontal disease through regular at home dental care (brushing is best) and regular professional Oral ATPs (Assessment, Treatment and Prevention). Some patients seem to have poor oral chemistry or other host factors that predispose them to periodontal disease. In these patients, proper oral hygiene slows progression of disease, but will not stop it.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. To encourage pet oral hygiene, Bobtown Pet Clinic will be offering a 10% discount on all dental services and products.

More information can be found at www.petdental.com and www.oralatp.com

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