dental disease in a dog, dental stone

Can My Pet Get Periodontal Disease?

When it comes to getting timely dental care, our dentist in Vero Beach, FL wants to remind you to schedule appointments for your entire family, even your pets. Like yourself, your spouse and your kids, your pets can also develop periodontal disease. The only difference is that your pet can’t tell you that they are in pain.

How Pets Get Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease can form for the same reasons as humans. When your pets eat food and treats, food particles are left on their teeth. If the food particles aren’t removed, they turn into plaque. If the plaque is left on your pet’s teeth for an extended period of time, it turns into tartar. This can lead to the development of gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease.

Once gum disease develops in your pet’s mouth, it can lead to cavities, tooth and gum pain, loose teeth, and the need for tooth extractions. In severe cases, your pet can develop a life-threatening infection from the extreme amounts of bacteria in his or her mouth.

How You Can Tell If Your Pet Has Oral Health Problems

Unfortunately, your pet can’t tell you that he or she is in pain, and pets are also very good at hiding their pain. This means that you may not notice that your pet has oral health problems right away. Thankfully, a lot of the symptoms associated with human periodontal disease also occur in pet periodontal disease.

  • Bleeding Gums
  • Extremely Bad Breath
  • Loose Teeth
  • Pawing at His or Her Mouth
  • Excessive Drool
  • Red Swollen or Inflamed Gums
  • Weight Loss Due to Eating Less
  • Whining While Eating

What You Can Do to Prevent Pet Periodontal Disease

When you think about your pet’s oral health, think about all the ways you keep your gums and teeth clean. Humans brush and floss their teeth regularly and get regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings in order to prevent oral health problems. Your pet’s mouth needs the same types of care, and it all starts with good at-home oral hygiene. There are pet-friendly toothpastes and toothbrushes you can purchase at your local pet store as well as dental cleaning treats that can help remove food particles and clean your pet’s teeth.

If you are having trouble choosing the right products for your pet, you can ask your local veterinarian in Vero Beach. Lastly, you’ll need to schedule pet teeth cleanings for your dog or cat at least once a year. Pet teeth cleanings are designed to remove all the plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and below the gum line. If your veterinarian spots any oral health issues, like gingivitis, gum disease, and even cavities, they can be treated.

Getting the Rest of Your Family Treated for Periodontal Disease with Our Dentist in Vero Beach

If the human members of your family have periodontal disease, our dentist at Vero Implants and Periodontics can perform deep cleanings, root planing, surgical cleanings, and gum and bone restorative procedures to help heal the resulting infections and help the gums and jaw bone heal. If you or one of your family members have lost any teeth due to gum disease, as well as cavities, we also offer dental implants.

Once your initial treatment is complete, our Vero Beach dentist offers periodontal maintenance, which involves an increased cleaning schedule to remove any new bacteria that has formed in the pockets between the teeth and gums. We also administer localized antibiotics and provide antimicrobial rinses and prescription mouthwashes when needed.

To learn more about our periodontal services for the humans in your family and to schedule an appointment at our Vero Beach dental office, give us a call or contact us at 772-569-9704.