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What to look for

There are four recognized stages of periodontal disease. You can look for these signs of periodontal disease in your pet's mouth. The earlier treatment begins, the better off your pet will be. Preventing plaque formation is the easiest way to prevent periodontal disease.

What Are The Stages of Periodontal Disease?^1,2



		BEGINNING PERIODONTAL DISEASE Plaque and/or calculus on teeth Red and swollen gums with no tooth attachment loss Cleaning and prevention at this stage may save teeth



		EARLY PERIODONTAL DISEASE Plaque and calculus on teeth Red and swollen gums, bad breath Loss of tooth attachment up to 25% Potentially reversible with treatment



		MODERATE PERIODONTAL DISEASE Plaque and calculus on teeth Bleeding gums, sore mouth, bad breath Loss of tooth attachment between 25 and 50% Permanent damage



		SEVERE PERIODONTAL DISEASE Severe gingivitis with bleeding gums, pus, bad breath Loss of tooth attachment is greater than 50% Loose teeth Permanent damage

¹Wiggs R.B., Lobprise H.B. Periodontology. In: Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB, eds. Veterinary dentistry and practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1997; 186-231.

²Gorrel C. Periodontal disease. In: Gorrel C, ed. Veterinary dentistry for the general practitioner. Edinburgh: Saunders, 2004; 87-110.