Pet Dental Health - directly related to overall pet health.

Pet Dental Health

By Doctor Denise E. Roche, D.V.M.

February is Pet Dental Health Month. At first glance, teeth seem to have little to do with a month that is represented by flowers and hearts. But did you know that by protecting your pet’s dental health you are protecting their heart? Periodontal infections in the mouth can spread bacteria via the bloodstream to the liver, kidneys and heart.  A healthy mouth means a healthy heart.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society an astonishing 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have signs of oral disease by the age of 3.  Signs of oral disease include persistent bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, reluctance to eat, dropping food from the mouth, swallowing food whole, abnormal drooling, pawing at the face or mouth, and subdued behavior. If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms a dental exam is warranted.

Like people, cats and dogs need professional care and routine home care of their teeth and gums. A thin film of protein from food, saliva and dead cells forms on your pet’s teeth and gums. If this layer is allowed to thicken it becomes a welcoming environment for bacteria.  Bacterial plaque build up along the gum line leads to gingivitis- inflammation of the gums. At this stage the gums may be red or swollen. As calcium salts are deposited into the bacterial plaque, it becomes a hardened tartar that is usually yellow or brown in color.  Gingivitis, plaque and tartar build up can lead to inflammation and infection of the deeper surrounding teeth tissues.  This is known as periodontitis and can lead to tooth loss as the bleeding gums recede away from the teeth. Early stages of gingivitis are reversible. Unfortunately, periodontitis cannot be reversed. It can only be controlled and prevented from progressing. Both conditions can be painful to your pet.  Cats are prone to tooth enamel resorption at the gum line which can be an extremely painful. Older pets, smaller dog breeds and certain cat breeds such as Maine Coon, Persian, Himalayan and Siamese are predisposed to developing dental disease.

Once your pet has been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis, a professional teeth cleaning is essential. Sub gingival scaling is done to remove bacteria that are hiding below the gum line. This is impossible with a conscious patient so general anesthesia is required to perform a thorough teeth cleaning. To ensure safety, gas anesthetics are used and presurgical blood work is often performed since many affected patients are older. Intravenous catheters are usually placed to allow easy administration of fluids and drugs. Your pet may need gingival surgery or tooth extractions with its dental cleaning. Lastly, the teeth are polished. After this extensive workup, at home dental care begins.

Regular brushing is considered the gold standard for home pet dental health. Some pets initially resist brushing but most will eventually accept it. Aim at brushing your pet’s teeth daily or at least every other day to remove plaque before bacteria have a chance to colonize.  Start gradually and make teeth brushing a rewarding experience for both of you.  Use pet toothpaste with a flavor that your pet likes. (Avoid human toothpaste which may upset your pet’s stomach) Place a small amount of the flavored toothpaste on your finger and offer it daily as a treat. The pet becomes conditioned to the toothpaste as a reward. Once your pet is accepting of toothpaste, take your finger covered with toothpaste and simulate the brushing movements of a toothbrush. Praise your pet while doing this to positively reinforce this activity. After a week or so of this, introduce a small, soft bristled toothbrush.  Position the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the tooth and move in small circular strokes much as you would brush your own teeth. Concentrate on the outer surfaces of the teeth.  The inner surfaces of teeth are usually much cleaner due to tongue movements and chewing action.  If your pet resists the toothpaste initially, try dipping your finger into flavored bouillon (for a dog) or tuna water (for a cat) and then rub your finger over your pet’s teeth.  Gradually transition to gauze and then to a soft bristled tooth brush coated with the flavored bouillon or tuna water treat. Graduate to pet toothpaste once your furry friend is ready.  Above all else, do not force the issue- you may get bit.

Obviously not all pets (especially cats) are amicable to daily tooth brushing. Neither are all owners. Fortunately, there are additional ways to help prevent dental disease although tooth brushing still remains the therapy of choice.  Specific toys, treats, chews and specially formulated foods are available to help “brush” your pet’s teeth.  The ever popular Greenie chew is a prime example. Hills Prescription Diet T/D is a tartar control diet that cleans teeth as your pet chews the specially formulated kibble. This diet is available for both dogs and cats. 

Do not offer your dog cow hooves for chewing.  These exceedingly hard objects are one of the primary causes of fractured or broken teeth. When you are purchasing treats or foods, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. Visit www.vohc.org for a list of approved products. Your veterinarian may also recommend special rinses, sprays, or gels – such as Oravet - to maintain your pet’s oral health. A new vaccine is becoming available to help combat dental disease and shows promise in those breeds that are genetically predisposed.

Keep in mind that diligent home dental care will reduce the number of professional cleanings needed. Also remember that taking care of your pet’s oral health is taking care of your pet’s overall health.