How Periodontal Disease Begins When your Maltese eats, a film of mucus called plaque forms on the teeth. Unless it is removed, it hardens and turns into tartar, or calculus. If the tarter is not removed, the gums become inflamed, a condition called gingivitis .
Untreated gingivitis leads to periodontitis , a breakdown of the periodontal tissues.
Signs of this condition include an inflamed gumline, persistent foul mouth odor, bleeding, receding or eroded gums, loose teeeth, and infected teeth with pus between teeth and gums. A dog with periodontal disease can suffer from loss of appetite, weight loss, generalized infections and even heart disease. Treatment Most of these conditions are treatable. The first step is to take your Maltese for a veterinary exam. Your veterinarian may offer a full range of dental procedures, from tarter removal to root canals, or may refer you to a veterinarian who specializaes in dental care.