What Are the Grades of Canine Dental Disease?

According to Stephen Juriga, a board-certified veterinary dentist in Oswego, Illinois, periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease seen in veterinary medicine. There are several stages of dental disease in dogs; left untreated, it can cause very serious health problems.

  1. Stage 1: Gingivitis

    • The first and least serious stage of canine periodontal disease is gingivitis, caused by plaque buildup under the gum surface around your dog's teeth. In this stage, his gums may be red around his teeth and sensitive to the touch, and he may have bad breath.

    Stage 2: Advanced Gingivitis

    • Advanced gingivitis is the second stage of periodontal disease. In this stage, your dog's gums will be red and swollen, and you'll be able to see plaque and tartar built up around her gumline. A veterinarian or veterinary dentist can clean your dog's teeth and help cure gingivitis problems; if the disease progresses past this point, though, the damage it causes can't be reversed.

    Stage 3: Periodontitis

    • If gingivitis is left untreated, bacteria will multiply around your dog's teeth, forming pockets of infection. This is the early stage of periodontitis, in which your dog's gums will begin to separate from his teeth, the bone supporting his teeth can become infected, and his teeth can become loose.

    Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis

    • In the advanced stage of periodontitis, your dog will suffer damage to the bone supporting her teeth, her gums will noticeably recede, and her teeth will become very loose and can be lost. Another equally serious problem is that the infection in your dog's gums and jawbone can circulate throughout her bloodstream, possibly causing kidney, liver and even heart disease.

    Prevention

    • Veterinarians and veterinary dentists recommend regular dental checkups and cleanings for dogs along with their regular shots and checkups. You can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup on your dog's teeth by giving him toys and treats that help clean his teeth and by brushing his teeth regularly. Pet supply stores sell dog toothbrushes and meat-flavored toothpastes that dogs enjoy.