Grade 1: Gingivitis only. No loss of support tissues.
Grade 2: <25% tissue attachment loss.
Grade 3: 25-50% tissue attachment loss. Gum recession may lead to tooth root exposure. Affected teeth may begin to be mobile in the sockets.
Grade 4: >50% tissue attachment loss. Mobile teeth due to significant loss of supporting tissues.
Early treatment is best to prevent pain, tooth loss and expensive treatments. Left untreated, periodontal disease may lead to:
Chronic pain from infection and inflammation
Decreased quality of life
Decreased appetite and weight loss
Tooth loss due to loss of supporting tissues around teeth
Distant organ (e.g.: liver, kidneys, heart valves) damage from bacteria showering from the mouth to the bloodstream
Adverse behaviors caused by pain
The first step in treating periodontal disease requires cleaning the teeth and surrounding tissues. Because your pet will not lie down quietly for a dental cleaning, general anesthesia is required. To prepare anesthesia, your veterinarian will do a thorough examination of your pet, perform blood work and discuss the procedure with you. Your pet will be monitored closely throughout the entire procedure: your pet.s safety is our primary concern. After the teeth are cleaned, X-rays will be taken of the teeth to check for pathology hiding below the gum line (see image C). Your veterinarian will discuss with you any other procedures that may need to be performed.
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