Periodontal Disease in Dogs: Signs and Treatment

Periodontal disease in dogs is a common dental condition caused by plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gum inflammation, damage to the tissues supporting the teeth, and tooth loss.

As the disease progresses, dogs may experience bad breath, painful gums, difficulty eating, and other dental problems. Early veterinary treatment can help manage the condition and prevent further damage.

Here’s what pet parents should know about the symptoms, stages, treatment, recovery, and prevention of periodontal disease in dogs.

What Is Periodontal Disease in Dogs?

Periodontal disease in dogs, also known as dental disease, is a common dental issue caused by plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gum inflammation and damage to the structures supporting the teeth.

Just as with humans, plaque and tartar can build up on dogs’ teeth. As plaque and tartar accumulate, they can get under the gumline, causing gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums.

As the plaque, tartar, and gingivitis progress, bacteria in the mouth begin to break down the support structures for the teeth, a process known as periodontitis. This leads to further buildup of “bad” bacteria in the mouth that cause death of the tissues. These “bad” bacteria also produce sulfur compounds that lead to bad breath.

When Is Periodontal Disease in Dogs Serious?

Depending on the severity of periodontal disease, it can be quite painful for dogs, and may cause them to stop eating. This is especially true if your pet develops a tooth root abscess. Abscesses are painful and are considered a medical emergency.

Periodontal disease in dogs is not generally considered a medical emergency, but early treatment is important. If dental disease worsens, it can become irreversible and may require tooth extraction.

Stages of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

There are four stages of periodontal disease in dogs.

Teeth are held into the jaw by the jawbone and periodontal ligaments. As dental disease progresses, the bone and ligaments begin to break down, until eventually the tooth can fall out.

Staging of dental disease in dogs is based on how much bone loss has occurred around the teeth. These stages are:

1. Gingivitis with no bone loss. This will appear as redness along the gumline.
2. Early periodontal disease with more than 25% bone loss
3. Established periodontal disease with 25% to 50% bone loss
4. Advanced periodontal disease with more than 50% bone loss

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Dogs?

Symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs can include bad breath, tartar buildup, red or inflamed gums, loose teeth, and decreased appetite.

Other common symptoms include:

• Bad breath
• Tartar accumulation on the teeth
• Red, inflamed gums
• Loose teeth
• Missing teeth
• Decreased appetite
• Bleeding from the gums, especially when chewing on toys or hard treats
• Irritability
• Teeth chattering, quivering lips
• Sneezing or nasal discharge
• Excessive drooling
• Favoring one side of the mouth when chewing
• Weight loss
• Facial swelling (occurs only in dental abscesses)
• Roots of the teeth are visible (these should be covered by bone and the gums)

What Causes Periodontal Disease in Dogs?

Periodontal disease in dogs is caused by plaque, tartar, and gingivitis in the mouth.

Several factors can predispose dogs to developing periodontal disease more rapidly, including:

• Genetics/breed predisposition, especially small breed dogs and short-muzzled dogs
• Enamel defects
• Misalignment of the jaw/teeth (underbites/overbites)
• Lack of oral hygiene
• Wet food diets, which stick to the teeth more than dry food. This provides more food for the bacteria in the mouth. This doesn’t mean wet food is bad—it just requires pet parents to pay closer attention to their pup’s oral hygiene.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Periodontal Disease in Dogs?

Veterinarians diagnose periodontal disease in dogs through a physical examination and dental X-rays to assess bone loss around the teeth.

Physical Examination

When bringing your dog to the veterinarian, mention if your pet is exhibiting any symptoms of dental disease. This can help your veterinarian determine how urgently your dog needs a dental cleaning.

In severe cases, the roots of the teeth can visually be seen on a physical exam.

Dental X-Rays

Sometimes a dog’s teeth can look fine, but your pet can still have hidden dental disease. This is because 40% of dogs’ and cats’ dental disease is under the gumline and can only be seen on dental X-rays.

Because periodontal disease is determined by the amount of bone loss around each tooth, full mouth X-rays are required to diagnose it.

If the roots cannot be seen on a physical exam, X-rays are needed to determine the level of periodontal disease.

How Is Periodontal Disease in Dogs Treated?

Periodontal disease in dogs is treated with professional dental cleanings under anesthesia. Only the first stage of periodontal disease is reversible, while later stages cannot be reversed but can be treated and managed.

Professional Dental Cleaning for Dogs

Many pet parents have reservations about anesthesia, but it’s in your pet’s best interest. Veterinarians take every precaution possible to ensure pets are kept safe while under anesthesia. Non-anesthetic dental cleanings are not recommended.

While having a dental cleaning, pets can receive all the same care that humans do for our dental cleanings, including:

• Full mouth exam with dental charting and probing
• Full mouth dental X-rays
• Scaling
• Polishing
• Tooth removal, if needed

All these procedures are recommended to help treat and manage dental disease in dogs.

Cost of Periodontal Disease Treatment in Dogs

Because anesthesia is involved, dental cleanings can be pricey, depending on the region and whether you visit a general veterinarian or dental specialist.

Prices can range anywhere from about $500 to $5,000 for dental cleanings for dogs. The higher end of the estimate is if you elect to go to a dental specialist to have specialized procedures done—such as a root canal to save a tooth from being extracted.

At-Home Dental Products for Dogs

Unfortunately, there are no over-the-counter products that treat dental disease. However, some products can help to prevent and slow the progression of dental disease.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council has tested various products on the market, and its veterinary dentists have listed products they have found to be the most helpful.

These products are best utilized from an early age, as early as 6 months old. You can even start brushing your puppy’s teeth as early as 8 weeks old to get them used to the process.

However, even if you provide great oral hygiene to your pup, they will still need regular dental cleanings throughout life.

Recovery and Management of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Recovery from periodontal disease treatment in dogs is typically quick, with most dogs recovering uneventfully after an anesthetic dental cleaning. Dogs that have teeth extracted generally recover within seven days.

Recovery After Dental Cleaning

Fortunately, the mouth is one of the fastest healing parts of the body. This means most dogs that have an anesthetic dental cleaning recover quickly and uneventfully from the procedure.

Recovery After Tooth Extraction

Dogs that have teeth pulled typically recover within seven days. For these pets, it’s recommended that they receive a wet food diet for the week following the procedure while their gums heal.

At-Home Dental Care After Treatment

After a dental procedure, it’s important to start an at-home dental routine to help prevent recurrence of dental disease.

How To Prevent Periodontal Disease in Dogs

One of the best ways to help prevent periodontal disease in dogs is to brush their teeth daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Regular toothbrushing helps remove plaque and prevent further tartar buildup.

Daily Toothbrushing for Dogs

Brushing a dog’s teeth helps to scrape off plaque. Since plaque is the precursor to tartar, by simply brushing off the plaque layer it can help to prevent further tartar buildup. Pet toothpaste is not required to remove this plaque layer, but it can help with bad breath.

It can be challenging for dogs to adjust to having their teeth brushed. With patience and training, most dogs eventually tolerate it, although some dogs may not tolerate brushing even after extensive training.

Alternatives to Toothbrushing

Some alternatives to using a toothbrush include gauze pads, washcloths, or any other soft but coarse fabric that can be used to help scrape the plaque layer off their teeth.

Veterinary Oral Health Council Products

If your dog doesn't tolerate toothbrushing, products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council—such as water additives and powders—can help prevent further tartar buildup on their teeth.