A Study of Periodontal Disease in Domestic Canines

Abstract

Periodontal disease, a destructive combination of periodontitis and gingivitis, is the most common oral disease affecting domestic canines today. Dogs of all ages, breeds, and genders are susceptible to periodontal disease, though older and small breed dogs are most at risk. Oral health is strongly dependent upon a good diet, access to good quality chewing toys, and a simple oral hygiene home care plan. If debris and plaque are not removed from the teeth, plaque deposits and the accumulation of foreign bacteria in the mouth will be followed by infection, known as gingivitis, as the bacteria secrete destructive toxins into the periodontal tissue. Synthetic dog foods and treats introduce a problematic source of foreign bacteria to the oral cavity, especially when perpetuated by malocculsive defects and other complications. Periodontal disease is highly aggressive and may severely affect overall systemic health including histological changes in the kidney, liver and myocardium in dogs if left untreated. However this disease is also easily preventable, and there are many highly accessible techniques and tools via which serious periodontal disease might be prevented in client-owned canines.