Pet Periodontal Disease: Grade 4
Your pet has been diagnosed with Grade 4 Periodontal Disease (POD)
Periodontal disease is a progressive bacterial infection of the teeth roots and bony structures that cradle the teeth.
- Infection eats away the bone and causes teeth to loosen and eventually fall out
- The mouth becomes a dangerous source of infection as the bacteria spread through the blood to the internal organs.
Grade 4 POD is defined as:
- Infection has eaten away the gums and bone, leaving the tooth root exposed
- Severe tooth and bone pain
- Irreversible damage may require extraction of the tooth and antibiotics to eliminate infection and pain in the jaw bone
Treatment Recommendations:
Anesthesia
- Prevents anxiety or pain and allows access to the teeth for treatment
- The risk with anesthesia is very small compared to the significant risk of infection and internal organ damage that occurs with untreated dental disease.
X-rays
- To check for bone loss and cracking
Dental Cleaning and Antibiotics
- removes the built up tartar which is causing the infection
- clears the infection from the gums & bone
- infection will re-occur and require repeat dental cleanings
Polish the teeth
- Prevents pitting of the tooth enamel and helps prevent buildup of plaque and tarter.
- Follow up home care can significantly lengthen the amount of time between dental cleanings
Pet Home care options include:
- Teeth brushing (video on our website)
- CET dental chews
- t/d food