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Cat Exam

Periodontics

This common but serious condition results from your pet's response to oral bacteria in plaque and tartar, which leads to progressive and painful bone loss around the teeth. Dental radiographs are necessary to detect this condition. Early intervention and education can change the course of this disease in your pet.

​What can periodontal disease result in?

Why Dental Health Matters

Not many pet parents realize that dental health is critical to their pet’s overall well-being. Studies show that pets who receive regular oral exams and dental care live longer, healthier lives. Just like in humans, poor dental health has been linked to other serious diseases, including heart, kidney, and liver disease.

When bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream, it can spread throughout the body, leading to systemic health issues. That’s why taking care of your pet’s teeth does more than prevent bad breath—it protects their whole body.

Treatment Options

When periodontal disease is diagnosed, prompt treatment is essential to stop progression and protect your pet’s health. At East Tennessee Veterinary Dentistry, Dr. Burton provides a full range of advanced periodontal services, including:

  • Routine Dental Prophylaxis (scaling, probing, and dental radiographs)

  • Open and Closed Root Planing (deep subgingival cleaning and scaling)

  • Guided Tissue Regeneration (encouraging healthy tissue regrowth in areas of bone loss)

  • Bone Grafting (to restore bone lost from periodontal disease)

  • Gingivectomy/Gingivoplasty (removing or reshaping excess gum tissue)

  • Lateral Sliding Flaps (gum tissue grafts to cover exposed roots)

  • Apical Repositioning Flaps (surgical techniques to eliminate periodontal pockets)

  • Crown Lengthening Procedures (reshaping gum tissue or bone to expose more of a tooth’s surface)

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Unfortunately, periodontal disease often develops silently, with few outward signs until it becomes advanced. Keep an eye out for these symptoms:

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  • Bad breath

  • Red or bleeding gums

  • Trouble eating or picking up food

  • Blood on chew toys or in the water bowl

  • Yelping, whining, or strange noises when eating or yawning

  • Lumps, bumps, or swelling in the mouth

  • Ropey or bloody saliva

  • Chewing only on one side of the mouth

  • Avoiding having the mouth or head touched

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If you notice any of these, schedule an exam with your veterinarian right away.

The Bottom Line

Periodontal disease might begin in the mouth, but it doesn’t end there. Left untreated, it can cause pain, tooth loss, fractures, and even life-threatening systemic illness. The best protection for your pet is prevention—daily oral care at home and regular professional dental evaluations.

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At East Tennessee Veterinary Dentistry, we’re here to help keep your pet’s smile healthy and their life as joyful as possible.

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