Health A-Z
Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Owner and veterinary guidance with linked treatments and source citations.
Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Species: Dog
Breeds Affected: All Breeds (small breeds and brachycephalic breeds have higher risk of severe periodontal disease)
Clinical review: Veterinary reviewer metadata is not available yet.
Guidance by audience
Use the global Pet owner/Vet toggle in the header. Each mode shows only what that audience needs.
For Pet Owners
Quick summary
Periodontal disease is a common condition where plaque and tartar buildup on teeth lead to infection and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and the structures that support the teeth. Over time this causes periodontal pockets, tooth loosening, and tooth loss. More than 80% of adult dogs have some level of dental disease. It results from lack of dental hygiene; small dogs often are affected earlier/severely due to crowded or misaligned teeth. Track appetite, hydration, stool/urine changes, energy level, and symptom pattern over time.
Red flags
Call your vet today: Persistent or worsening symptoms. Emergency now: Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain.
What to expect at the vet
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Prevention checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
For Veterinarians
Diagnostics
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Differentials
Differential diagnosis considerations are not available yet.
Treatment considerations
Treatment requires a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia to remove plaque/tartar above and below the gumline. Any diseased teeth with advanced periodontitis or abscess are extracted to eliminate pain and infection. After the procedure, the dog is often placed on antibiotics and pain medication for a period to heal the gums. Regular at-home dental care (brushing, dental chews) and periodic cleanings are needed to prevent recurrence. In cases of oral tumors or severe disease, further surgical or medical interventions may be needed, but for standard periodontal disease, scaling and extractions resolve the issue.
Follow-up strategy
Follow-up strategy is not available yet.
What To Do Now
Escalate care quickly if symptoms worsen, persist, or include emergency warning signs.
| Urgency | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Call your vet today | Persistent or worsening symptoms | Call your veterinarian the same day for guidance and exam scheduling. |
| Emergency now | Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain | Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. |
Prevention Checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
Treatments and Medication Links
Use these medication pages as a reference for options your veterinarian may discuss.
Detailed treatment strategy remains in the Vet view to avoid duplicate narrative blocks.
No linked medications are available yet.
Find a Vet Near YouFrequently Asked Questions
FAQ content is not available for this condition yet.
Data Sources
Last updated: February 16, 2026, 11:11 AM UTC
View source list
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Owner_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Dental+Disease+%28Periodontal+Disease%29Reference search for condition background. -
Triage · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Dental+Disease+%28Periodontal+Disease%29Clinical triage framing. -
Vet_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Dental+Disease+%28Periodontal+Disease%29Clinical workflow reference. -
Diagnosis · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Dental+Disease+%28Periodontal+Disease%29Guideline discovery link. -
Prevention · public_health
https://www.cdc.gov/search/?query=Dental+Disease+%28Periodontal+Disease%29Public health discovery link. -
Treatment_overview · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Dental+Disease+%28Periodontal+Disease%29Treatment guideline discovery link.
Revision History
View revision log
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:10 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 04:45 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-12 22:47 · etl
Related Media
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