The statement "Veterinary dentistry is coming of age." (Drs. Holstrom and Gammon) has never been more true. Pets are living longer and in closer proximity to their owners. Bad breath, oral pain, and tooth loss are common findings in a high percentage of the pets that come to veterinary offices each day.
Pets have many of the same dental problems that humans face. Missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth, retained baby teeth, impacted teeth, discolored teeth, and worn teeth are a few of the day to day problems. We also see tooth fractures, abscesses, and oral cancer. You may wonder if all these really matter. You bet they do! Periodontal disease results when proper oral hygiene is not implemented early in life.
Healthy mouths are free of foul breath odor and exhibit clean, white, teeth surrounded by firm gum tissue. Periodontal disease most commonly refers to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (gingivitis with breakdown of tissues that support the teeth). Animals with periodontal disease characteristically have bad breath, teeth caked with yellow-brown tartar, and swollen, painful gums that bleed easily. Some have poor appetites and lose weight gradually. The cause of gum disease is accumulation of bacterial plaque on teeth surfaces and under the gum line. Reports by the American Veterinary Dental Society estimate that by three years of age 80 % of dogs and 70% of cats develop gum disease.
Animals use their mouths to eat, groom, manipulate and vocalize. A painful, infected mouth can be devastating to your pet. Just this week I had a 13 year old dog brought to the office because he was depressed, not eating, and was drooling blood tinged salvia. The owner was unable to open the dog's mouth because it was so painful. After we did blood tests to assure that internal organs were functioning well, we used general anesthesia and did a complete oral exam. Overall, the dog was very healthy. However, the teeth were stained and had tartar build up on the visible surfaces and under the gums. One of the lower molars was abscessed and had to be removed. We then performed a complete dental scaling and polishing. The following morning the dog was bright and alert. He ate food for the first time in two days. He went home with antibiotic, pain relief, and you guessed it... tooth paste and brush. Interestingly enough, the owner was a former dental hygienist who was unaware that brushing was important to pets.
You don't have to wait for your pet to develop gum disease before you step up to the plate. Start by looking in your pet's mouth. Does the breath knock you over? Do you see a lot of yellow plaque? If so, schedule a dental examination with your veterinarian. Your vet will determine if the teeth require scaling and polishing before you start brushing. If the teeth are white and clean, start brushing. One time weekly is a good beginning. Pets benefit just like humans from good oral hygiene. Although most tartar control treats won't hurt, proper nutrition and regular brushing will do more to remove plaque. Raw bones (cooked tend to splinter) and hard raw vegetables (carrots, green beans) act as natural toothbrushes for dogs. Avoid small chicken bones and round ham bones. I once had to use general anesthesia and a saw to remove a ham bone stuck around a dog's jaw. Cats are more challenging because they don't typically chew on bones. Some cats do like veggies.
February was "National Pet Dental Health Month". Advertisements promoting pet oral health were designed to increase awareness of pet dental needs. Many veterinary hospitals participated in this campaign and may still be offering information about pet dental health care and special financial incentives for pet dental check ups.
Mark W. Richards, MS, PhD, DVM