Dental Disease Grades in Pets

Did you know that by the age of three, over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease? This staggering statistic highlights just how common dental issues are in our pets, often going unnoticed until they cause significant discomfort. Dental health plays a vital role in your pet’s overall well-being, influencing not just their mouth but their entire body. Poor dental hygiene can lead to pain, tooth loss and even serious infections that affect vital organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys.

Understanding the grading of dental disease is key to ensuring your pet receives the care they need at every stage. Dental disease progresses in stages, from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis, each requiring different levels of treatment and management. By learning about these grades, you can recognise early signs, seek timely veterinary care, and take preventive steps to protect your pet’s health.

The Stages of Dental Disease in Pets

Grade 1: Mild Gingivitis

Signs: Grade 1 is the earliest stage of dental disease in pets and is often characterised by subtle signs. At this point, you might notice a slight redness at the gum line, possibly accompanied by minor swelling. This occurs due to the buildup of plaque, a soft film of bacteria that clings to your pet’s teeth. Although these symptoms may seem minor, they are a clear indicator that your pet’s dental health needs attention.

Treatment: The good news is that mild gingivitis is easily reversible with prompt and consistent care. Treatment typically involves a professional dental cleaning by our veterinarians to remove the plaque and tartar that regular brushing can’t reach. Once your pet’s teeth are clean, it’s important to establish a routine of regular tooth brushing at home. Our vets might also recommend dental chews or specific diets that help reduce plaque buildup.

Outcome: With proper care, mild gingivitis can be completely resolved, preventing the progression to more severe stages of dental disease. By addressing this early stage, you’re taking a crucial step in safeguarding your pet’s long-term health and comfort.

Grade 2: Moderate Gingivitis

Signs: Grade 2 represents a progression from the early stage of dental disease, where the signs become more noticeable. At this stage, the redness and swelling of the gums are more pronounced, and there is a more significant buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth. You might also observe that your pet’s breath has started to worsen, a common sign of advancing dental issues.

Treatment: To address moderate gingivitis, a more thorough approach is required. Our veterinarians will likely recommend a professional dental cleaning, which often involves polishing the teeth to smooth out any rough surfaces where bacteria can cling. This procedure may need to be performed under anaesthesia to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety. Following the cleaning, maintaining routine at-home dental care becomes even more critical. Regular brushing, dental chews and specialised diets will help prevent further plaque buildup and keep your pet’s gums healthy.

Outcome: Although moderate gingivitis is still reversible, it demands a higher level of ongoing care. By staying diligent with your pet’s dental hygiene, you can prevent the disease from progressing to more severe stages, protecting their oral health and overall well-being.

Grade 3: Severe Gingivitis/Early Periodontitis

Signs: Grade 3 marks a critical point in your pet’s dental health. At this stage, the condition of your pet’s gums has significantly deteriorated. The gums are not only red and swollen but also bleed easily, even with minor contact. The tartar buildup on the teeth is now clearly visible, contributing to increasingly foul breath. In some cases, the teeth may start to show signs of mobility due to the weakening of the supporting structures.

Treatment: Addressing severe gingivitis and early periodontitis requires more intensive intervention. Our veterinarians will likely perform a deep cleaning, which includes scaling to remove tartar from below the gum line and root planing to smooth the roots and encourage reattachment of the gums. In some cases, tooth extractions may be necessary if the damage is too extensive. After the procedure, strict home care is essential to manage the condition and prevent further progression. This may include daily brushing, medicated rinses and regular follow-up visits to monitor your pet’s oral health.

Outcome: At this stage, the damage may become permanent if left untreated, making prevention of further deterioration crucial. While some effects of early periodontitis can be managed, the focus should be on halting the progression to more severe stages. By staying vigilant and adhering to a rigorous dental care routine, you can help maintain your pet’s quality of life and minimise the impact of this disease.

Grade 4: Established Periodontitis

Signs: Grade 4 represents the most advanced and severe stage of dental disease in pets. By this point, the damage to your pet’s mouth is extensive and often irreversible. The gums have receded significantly, exposing the roots of the teeth and creating deep pockets where bacteria thrive. This leads to severe pain and ongoing infection, which can impact your pet’s overall health. You may notice that your pet is reluctant to eat, is drooling excessively, or shows other signs of discomfort due to the intense pain caused by this condition.

Treatment: Treating established periodontitis requires extensive dental procedures. Our veterinarians will likely need to perform multiple tooth extractions to remove severely damaged teeth and reduce the risk of further infection. These procedures are often accompanied by ongoing pain management and the use of antibiotics to control infection. Given the extent of the disease, specialised care is also necessary to manage your pet’s condition and improve their quality of life. This may include the use of soft diets, regular veterinary check-ups and potentially, additional surgeries to address complications.

Outcome: At this stage, the damage to your pet’s mouth is irreversible, and the primary goal is to manage pain and prevent further issues. While the progression of the disease can be slowed, the focus shifts to ensuring your pet is comfortable and that any additional health problems are minimised. Consistent care and monitoring are essential to help your pet live as comfortably as possible despite the challenges of advanced dental disease.

How Our Veterinarians Diagnose and Grade Dental Disease

Diagnosing and grading dental disease in pets involves a thorough and systematic examination by our veterinarians. The process typically begins with a visual exam, where our vet inspects your pet’s mouth for obvious signs of dental issues such as redness, swelling, tartar buildup and bad breath. However, many aspects of dental disease are not visible to the naked eye, which is why a more detailed assessment is needed. This often includes probing around the gums to check for pockets, which indicate gum recession, and evaluating the stability of the teeth. Dental x-rays are also a crucial part of the examination, as they allow our vets to see below the gum line, where much of the damage can occur, including bone loss and root infections.

Once the examination is complete, our vets will grade the dental disease based on specific criteria. These include the health of the gums, the extent of tartar buildup, the presence of pockets or gum recession, tooth mobility and any signs of infection or abscesses. Each dental disease grade reflects the severity of the disease and helps determine the appropriate treatment plan.

Regular dental check-ups are essential for the early detection and prevention of dental disease in pets. Many pets don’t show obvious signs of discomfort until the disease is quite advanced, making routine exams critical for catching problems early. By scheduling regular dental evaluations, you ensure that any issues are addressed promptly, preventing the progression to more severe stages and helping your pet maintain a healthy and pain-free life.