Cause of Periodontal Disease

• Canine periodontal disease is a disease that affects the tissues surrounding the teeth. Damage to the tissues around the teeth occurs when bacteria and plaque form on the teeth.
  
  

Factors of Canine Periodontal Disease

• The factors that cause periodontal disease are bacteria, plaque, the dog's age, diet, chewing habits, occlusion, size, and the dog's response to the bacteria.
  
  

Diagnosing Canine Periodontal Disease

• During a veterinarian dental exam, a periodontal probe and dental radiography diagnose canine periodontal disease and the severity of the disease.
  
  

Stages of Canine Periodontal Disease

• The stages of the disease are gingivitis, treatable periodontitis, and end-stage periodontitis.
  
  

Treating the Disease

• Dogs with gingivitis receive treatment through dental scaling and polishing. Dogs with periodontitis receive treatment based on the depth of the periodontal pocket and the results of intraoral radiographic exam. Dogs with end-stage periodontitis require extraction of the tooth or teeth affected.