12/19/2024
Did you know that your pet's bad breath might be more than just an unpleasant smell? It could indicate that they have periodontal disease! If left untreated, can progress to periodontal disease in the following stages:
Stage 1 — Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. The bacteria cause gum inflammation but do not damage the supporting tooth structures.
Stage 2 — The bacteria invade under the gum line, damaging the tissue that supports the teeth. Periodontal disease is characterized as stage two when less than 25% of the supporting structures are affected.
Stage 3 — Periodontal disease is characterized as stage three when 25% to 50% of the supporting structures are damaged.
Stage 4 — Periodontal disease is characterized as stage four when greater than 50% of the supporting structures are affected. Typically, stage four teeth aren’t salvageable and must be extracted.