What does your pet's mouth look like?

GRADE I: No sign of plaque or tartar: Home dental care is needed to maintain these healthy teeth and gums.  Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly is ideal.  There are products available to help make home dental care easy and hassle free, such as CET products and dental diets.

 Grade II / Mild Gingivitis: Margins of attached gum is inflammed and swollen. You may notice a thin red line along the gum line. Plaque is beginning to cover the teeth. We should schedule a dental oral assesment as soon as possible to avoid the progession of this disease.

Grade III / Moderate Gingivitis:  Entire gum is inflamed and swollen.  Mouth is painful and odor is noticed.  Your pet may have gum pockets which is allowing bacteria to flourish.  Moderate amounts of plaque are building up.  It is urgent that we schedule an oral assessment and periodontal treatment within 30 days.  Addition of tartar control diet and home dental care is needed afterward for prevention.

Grade IV / Severe Gingivitis / Established Periodontal Disease:  Chronic infection is destroying the gum, tooth and bone.  Bacteria is spreading through the body via the bloodstream and may damage the kidneys, liver and heart.  Teeth are loose and in need of extraction and gum sutures could be needed.  Your pet is experiencing pain from dental disease. It is imperative that we schedule an oral assessment and treatment immediately.  Home dental care afterward is necessary for prevention / recurrence of the disease.  

PETS NEED DENTAL CARE TOO!