Periodontitis Periodontitis is an extension of gingivitis. As the amount of infection (gingivitis) increases and subsequently travels towards the roots of the tooth it becomes trapped under the gums. Next, the infection begins to eat away at the gum tissue
Periodontal Disease Most of the premolars in the dog have a wide diastema or space between their teeth while there is very little space between each of the molars and incisors. As is the case in man, when the teeth
Gum Disease Research indicates that greater than 80% of dogs and greater than 70% of cats over the age of three show some sort of gum disease. When the gums become inflamed it is called gingivitis. This condition in pets
Tooth Extractions The extraction of a tooth in the dog and cat may be necessary but can be very difficult to perform without damaging the gums unless special instruments are used along with good technique. The canine tooth has the
Dental Radiographs Dental care should be a regular part of your pet’s daily routine. I want to remind you to “lift the upper lips” of your pet and take a look, if you haven’t done so recently, at the gums
Dental and Mouth Problems One of the primary influences on a pet’s health is determined by the genetic code. An example of a genetically controlled trait can be seen or expressed in the mouth as a malocclusion (bad bite). In
Dental Care There are 42 adult teeth in the dog and 30 adult teeth in the cat. As a result of domestication and commercially prepared foods, the need for most of the teeth in the pet’s mouth has diminished considerably.
Deciduous Teeth Deciduous teeth or baby teeth are present in both dogs and cats. Normally, starting at approximately 3 months of age, they begin to fall out and are replaced with larger permanent teeth by the time they are 6
Cavities Do animals get cavities? Yes they do, but not very often in the dog. This is due to the lack of sweets in their diet, and the different pH of the saliva in the mouth, as well as the
