DENTAL CARE & DISEASE
(by Dr Jason Smith 2005)
Dental disease is one of the most frequent ailments seen by veterinary surgeons, and can be found to some degree in the majority of cats and dogs over two years of age fed soft commercial food exclusively. The most common problems are due to periodontal disease, gingivitis and tooth root abscesses.
Common signs include: 1. Less interest in food. 2. Discomfort whilst eating. 3. Swallowing difficulties. 4. Dribbling with/without blood. 5. Bad breathe 6. Reluctance to eat may lead to weight loss.
The most common cause of dental disease in pets is due to tartar accumulation. As in humans, pets accumulate bacterial plaque on the surface of their teeth, which if not removed quickly becomes mineralised to form tartar (also called calculus). The bacterial products and decaying food stuck to tartar are one potential cause of bad breath.
Treatment involves a short general anaesthestic and scaling & polishing all teeth, and teeth extractions if necessary in severe cases.
HOMECARE IS VERY IMPORTANT! – Plaque comes back very quickly. Whilst professional dental cleaning is important, it is not enough to prevent periodontal disease. The goal of home care is to remove plaque before it becomes tartar. Once tarter forms it can only be removed by professional cleaning under general anaesthetic.
1. Regularly consults with one of our vets Early dental disease can be reversed with the right home care, but in many cases it is best to start with a proper scale and polish under general anaesthetic, and then try and keep the teeth clean from there. Tartar is not easy to remove, and it is not kind to try to start brushing etc. when the mouth is already painful.
2. Monitoring at home A thorough mouth check is important. Your vet can show you how to do this properly.
3. Diet / dry food Eukanuba and IAMS biscuits are useful both for their mechanical cleaning action because they require chewing, but also the biscuits are coated with microscopic sodium hexametaphosphate crystals. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a nutritional source of phosphate that can be applied to the outer surface of biscuits in microscopic crystalline form which is released during chewing and remains in the oral cavity to prevent plaque mineralising into tartar. Hills T/D Prescription Diet is another type of biscuit designed to maintain good dental health. Avoid feeding soft food or tinned food only, and sweet human foods.
4. Bones The recommendation of bones is controversial. Most dogs and some cats love bones and they are a natural part of the diet, however there are some risks involved. These risks include pancreatitis (because bone marrow is high in fat); tooth fractures; and bones becoming wedged across the palate or stuck on teeth. Most vets still recommend the occasional feeding of bones, with the following precautions: • Always RAW never cooked • Choose bones with cartilage and sinew. Avoid chop bones. • Cut off the fat, and avoid bones that have been sliced open to expose the marrow. • Avoid if history of pancreatitis • Choose an appropriate size for your pet. • Supervise bone chewing, removing the bone after the “useful chew” stage. This is when all the meat and cartilage has gone. It is best to distract dogs before trying to remove their bone (eg going for a walk, playing with a toy).
5. Chewing e.g. CET enzymatic chews, raw hides, pig’s ears, Kong chew toys, Hills T/D diet, tug toys, celery sticks, apples, Dentabones. Poor selection of chews and toys is a major cause of excessive wear and fractured teeth (e.g. stone chewers!). Chews should be softer than the teeth, and large enough that the pet cannot get them in their mouth – this forces them to gnaw on the outer side of their teeth where most plaque accumulates. Also watch out for the small decorative parts on some toys which may end up caught in the gastrointestinal tract.
6. Brushing Brushing is considered the gold standard in home dental care. Brushing is recommended at least 3 times weekly if the gums are healthy, or daily in animal with established dental disease. Since pet’s heads come in a range of shapes and sizes, there is no ideal pet toothbrush – choose whatever you find most convenient to use, just make sure it has soft bristles. Toothbrush can help, but is not essential. Avoid human toothpastes as they foam to much and are designed to be rinsed out, not swallowee. Pet toothpastes are available in a variety of flavours such as vanilla, malt, beef, poultry, and seafood! When beginning a brushing routine, start slowly, be patient, and use lots of praise and rewards.
7. Rinses, gels, and sprays These may be useful if brushing is not acceptable. Sprays are useful in large dogs, but most cats will not tolerate sprays well. Some products contain fluoride which has antibacterial properties, and may inhibit plaque formation. It may also be useful to control pain from exposed tooth roots. Some products contain zinc ascorbate which reduces plaque and gum inflammation, and promote healing of ulcerated tissue. It also reduces bad breath by binding with some of the volatile compounds in the mouth. Other products contain chlorhexidine which is a broad – spectrum antibacterial which reduces plaque. Chlorhexidine may be bitter tasting, and so is often refused by cats.
