How To Treat Periodontal Disease In The American Pit Bull Terier

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Periodontal disease is the most widespread disease among American Pit Bull Terriers and humans. Humans, as well as American Pit Bull Terriers, can benefit from many of the methods discussed within this article. Approximately 80% of American Pit Bull Terriers have some form of periodontal disease by the age of three. Periodontal disease is best fought through a variety of preventive measures. The mouth naturally harbors a variety of bacteria which causes established periodontal disease to be difficult to combat. If left untreated periodontal disease can injure the sub gingival tissue considerably enough to cause tooth loss. While this is occurring the infection can gain access to the bloodstream, becoming systemic. If this occurs, the infection can spread to organs such as the heart, liver kidneys or lungs. Indeed the entire body becomes susceptible at this point. Periodontal disease often progresses with no noticeable symptoms until teeth become loose in their sockets.

Plaque is a white film that forms on teeth. Plaque is a composite that is formed of food debris, bacteria, exfoliated cells and glycoproteins. If not removed from the tooth plaque mineralizes into a yellow or brown deposit called calculus.

The progression of periodontal disease takes months or even years and is easily prevented. An owner needs to brush his American Pit Bull Terrier‘s teeth daily. Dry food can help prevent periodontal disease as it scrapes the teeth while an American Pit Bull Terrier chews and is not tacky, which causes moist dog food to adhere to teeth.

Humans can rinse their mouths with an antiseptic solution, which will help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. This is not an option with dogs as they will try to drink the antiseptic solution. Chew toys infused with bacteria fighting compounds help to combat this problem. Providing your American Pit Bull terrier with this type of chew toy can be beneficial in fighting periodontal disease.

Plaque prevention gels and barrier sealants may be offered by your veterniarian to prevent the accumulation of plaque on and around the teeth. This barrier repels saliva, which may be heavily laden with bacteria, from the tooth. This prevents the colonization of oral bacteria that will help prevent plaque formation. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a specific brand of food designed to provide additional scraping of teeth which will prevent the accrual of calculus. If he prescribes such a food, he will instruct you to feed your American Pit Bull Terrier nothing but that food.

The establishment of a grading system has enabled the identification of degrees of periodontal disease, which can assist with the determination of the appropriate treatment. Grade 1 periodontal disease is reversible gingivitis and routine dental cleaning can alleviate this condition. Past this point, all treatment should be performed by trained professionals.

Grade 2 periodontal disease is the early onset of periodontitis which is indicated by increased depth of the periodontal pocket; approximately 1 to 2 mm in an adult dog. The increase in the depth of the periodontal pocket stems from the deterioration of the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and other gingival structures. Root planing, the removal of gingival cementum and calculus from diseased tooth roots, is often employed to combat grade 2 periodontal disease.

Grade 3 periodontal disease falls into the category of moderate periodontitis. Loss of sub gingival tissue ranges from 3 to 6mm in an adult dog. Periodontal surgery is often required to improve the condition of the teeth at this stage. Teeth with a diagnosis of stage 3 periodontal disease have a fair prospect of sustaining further damage.

Grade 4 periodontal disease is considered to be severe periodontitis. Sub gingival tissue loss is greater than 6mm. The outlook for teeth in this condition is grim. Many times these teeth are extracted. Efforts to save such teeth advance from periodontal surgery to periodontal splinting.

The accumulation of plaque and calculus can be prevented by the implementation of the prevention techniques described in this article. A lifetime of healthy teeth is possible through the combination of these techniques and regular dental examinations. A clean tooth prevents the formation of active periodontal disease.

How To Treat Periodontal Disease In The American Pit Bull Terier
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