Dental care and dental treatment in dogs and cats
The silent illness that requires a trained eye
Bad breath is rarely just 'dog breath' — it's often the first visible sign of periodontal disease, one of the most common conditions in dogs and cats. The disease starts with a thin layer of bacteria and tartar along the gum line and can if untreated develop into inflammation and breakdown of the tissue holding the tooth in place. Because the development happens slowly and often without clear signs of pain it's easy to overlook — both for the owner and for an untrained eye at the clinic.
§AVDC's 5-Step Classification
To assess severity systematically, an international 5-step classification of periodontal disease, developed by the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), is used. The classification is based on a combination of oral examination and radiographic findings and makes it possible to compare findings consistently from tooth to tooth and from visit to visit.
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| PD0 | Clinically healthy gums and attachment |
| PD1 | Gingivitis (inflamed gums) without loss of attachment |
| PD2 | Early periodontitis, less attachment loss |
| PD3 | Moderate periodontitis, moderate attachment loss |
| PD4 | Advanced periodontitis, severe attachment loss |
§Why anaesthesia is necessary
A real dental examination involves probing along the gum line assessing tooth mobility and taking X-rays of each individual root — something that cannot be done thoroughly and gently on an awake animal. So-called 'anesthesia-free' dental cleaning can make visible tartar disappear cosmetically but does not reveal disease below the gum line and thus gives a false impression that the mouth is healthy.
§Your role as a veterinary nurse
- 01Prepare and operate dental x-ray of each tooth according to the veterinarian's instructions.
- 02Assist with tooth cleaning (scaling) and polishing under anesthesia.
- 03Monitor patient's vital parameters throughout the dental procedure, as with other anaesthesia.
- 04The journal's information on allergies and previous reactions
§Home care and prevention
The most important effort against periodontal disease happens at home between clinic visits. Daily or frequent tooth brushing is the most effective method but also dental chewing products and diet adapted to the purpose can help slow tartar formation. Your guidance to the owner on how to train to brush teeth on a dog or cat muzzle without conflict is often what determines whether the plan is followed at home.
“A healthy mouth is not always visible from the outside — most serious findings hide under the gum line.”