Dental Health

Dental disease is one of the most common disorders in dogs. It can result from poor dental hygiene, infections, trauma, malocclusion, and autoimmune disorders. Proper dental care can help prevent and control some of these conditions.Bacteria play a major role in the formation of plaque and tartar. Bacteria live on remnants of food in the mouth. When bacteria combine with saliva and food debris in the channel between the tooth and gum, plaque forms and accumulates on the tooth. When bacteria continue to grow in the plaque, and as calcium salts are deposited, the plaque hardens to become a limestone-like material called tartar.

In time, the bacteria work their way between the gums and teeth, causing the gum and the deep, bony structures of the jaw to separate from the teeth. Now we have what is termed periodonatal disease. Without treatment, pockets of bacteria build up below the gums forming abscesses. These pockets of pus may appear along the gumline and further separate the tooth from the gum, which allows more food and bacteria to accumulate, and the process continues.

Periodontal disease is severe and is irreversible. It may require advanced therapy and thorough plaque control to prevent progression of the disease. Periodontal disease causes red, swollen, tender gums, receding gums, bleeding gums, oral pain and dysfunction, and bad breath.

Regretfully, the problem does not limit itself to the dog's mouth. Irritated and weakened gums allow bacteria to cross into the bloodstream and be carried through the body, potentially infecting internal organs such as the heart,liver and kidneys. Oral disease may also affect your pet's behavior and sociability with others.Pets, like their human owners, can get cavities. However, cavities are relatively rare in pets because pets' diets generally are not high in decay-causing sugars. Veterinary dental experts have noticed a mild rise in the incidence of cavities among pets fed sugary treats. To avoid cavities in your pet's mouth, feed only pet food and treats designed for pets.

The importance of proper dental care for pets has received considerable attention in recent years, and for good reason. By the age of four, more than 70% of domestic dogs show signs of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss, bacterial infections, and any number of periodontal diseases. Good oral hygiene is now recognized as a must for pets and is something your puppy must rely on you for.

Feed a hard kibble dog food or biscuits at least once a day. The friction from chewing the hard food cleans the teeth while providing the teething benefits your puppy needs.

Hard nylon or rawhide bones help remove plaque. Give your puppy a hard chew toy at least once a week.Brush your dogs teeth  with a soft-bristled nylon toothbrush and a plaque-retardant, tartar-control toothpaste. Brush in a circular motion as you would your own teeth. Expect minor gum bleeding until the gums tighten.

Keep the folds of skin around the mouth clean and free of food with dental cleansers.

In severe cases of tartar buildup, teeth may have to be scaled and polished to remove tartar. It is easy and most pets tolerate it well. You can use a tooth scaler or have the cleaning done by your veterinarian.

Good oral hygiene started early and continued regularly will not only prevent bad breath, tooth loss, and gum disease, but it will help give your pet a healthy and happy lifestyle in later years.

What is periodontal disease?

'Periodontal' comes from two Greek words that mean 'around the tooth.' Periodontal disease is a series of changes that are associated with theinnflammation  and loss of the deep supporting structures of teeth.

How does periodontal disease develop?

Food particles and bacteria collect along the gumline forming plaque. If plaque is not removed, minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque and form tartar (or calculus) which adheres strongly to the teeth. Plaque starts to mineralize 3-5 days after it forms. The tartar is irritating to the gums and causes an inflammation called gingivitis This can be seen as reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It also causes bad breath.

If the calculus is not removed, it builds up under the gums. It separates the gums from the teeth to form "pockets" and encourages even more bacterial growth. At this point the damage is irreversible, and called "periodontal" disease. It can be very painful and can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection.

What factors affect the development of periodontal disease?

Numerous factors play a role in the formation of plaque, tartar, and the development of periodontal disease. These include:

  • Age and general health status
  • Diet and chewing behavior
  • Breed, genetics, and tooth alignment
  • Grooming habits
  • Home care
  • Mouth environment

Age and Health Status: Periodontal disease more commonly affects older animals.

Diet and Chewing Behavior: Studies show that hard kibbles are slightly better at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth. Dogs that chew on various toys may remove some of the plaque build-up.

Breed, Genetics, and Tooth Alignment: Small breed and brachycephalic dogs are at greater risk of periodontal disease because their teeth are often crowded together. This results in an increased accumulation of plaque because the normal cleansing mechanisms are hindered.

Home Care: Regular brushing of your dog's teeth can greatly reduce the accumulation of plaque and development of tartar, thus reducing the risk of periodontal disease.

Mouth Environment: Dogs that open-mouth breathe tend to have a more tenacious plaque because of the dehydration of the oral cavity.

In general, the more acid the saliva, the more rapid the build-up of plaque.

The number and type of bacteria in the mouth influence the progression of periodontal disease.

What are the signs of periodontal disease?

As periodontal disease progresses, you may observe the following signs:

  • Purulent exudate (pus) around the tooth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Gums that bleed easily
  • Sensitivity around the mouth
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Gums that are inflamed (red), hyperplastic, or receding
  • Loose or missing teeth
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stomach or intestinal upsets
  • Drooling
  • Difficulty chewing or eating
  • Irritability or depression

Pets with Grade III or IV disease will need to be placed on several types of therapy. Owner commitment to this care is crucial.

Pain and anti-inflammatory medication: Medication for pain relief and to decrease the amount of inflammation may be administered post op and for several weeks following the dental procedures.

Antibiotics: Antibiotic therapy is important. Commonly used antibiotics include amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Clavamox), clindamycin (Antirobe), and cefadroxil (Cefa-Tabs and Cefa-Drops). These antibiotics may be given 1-2 weeks postsurgically. Pulse therapy , in which antibiotics are administered for the first 5 days of every month in an attempt to lower the bacterial count in the mouth, may also be used.

Topical medications: Products containing zinc ascorbate, stannous fluoride, and chlorhexidine may need to be applied to the teeth on a regular basis.

Limit or eliminate chew toys: If flap surgeries were performed, chew toys will need to be eliminated for the first month so healing can take place. In other instances chew toys, except for soft ones, may need to be removed.

Regular check-ups: Dogs with periodontal disease will need frequent check-ups to assess their oral health. For some animals, it may be advisable to recheck pocket depth 4-6 weeks after treatment. For others, routine examinations 2-4 times a year will be needed.

PREVENTION

. Get your dog on a good dental care program that includes:

  • Regular visits to your veterinarian, which include an oral exam
  • Veterinary dental cleaning as advised
  • Daily oral care

You and your dog will be glad you did!

web sites to visit http://www.newmanveterinary.com/DentalProblems.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/08/HOGC2I3MDI1.DTL

http://www.dentalvet.com/Encyclopedia/M04969.htm

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00480.htm

http://www.petcaretips.net/canine_dental_care.html

 

 

 

 

If gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontal disease which is irreversible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tooth Diagram

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinary physician for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.

 

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