I
was unaware that dogs have dental problems. Is it common?
Are dental problems the same in
pets and people?
What is periodontal disease?
Is periodontal disease very common?
How does tartar form, and what
does it do?
Is tartar harmful?
How can I prevent tartar formation
on my pet's teeth?
Will feeding dry food remove tartar?
Why can't I just remove the tartar
and plaque with a dental scaler?
Do I have to make an appointment
for my pet to have a dental scaling and polishing?
How can I prevent tartar accumulation
after the procedure?
Can I use human toothpaste?
Why is pet toothpaste recommended?
What are cervical neck lesions
in cats?
I
was unaware that dogs have dental problems. Is it common?
Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen
by veterinarians. Over 68% of all dogs and cats over the age of
three are estimated to have some form of periodontal or dental
disease. Few pets show obvious signs of dental disease. It is
up to the pet's family and veterinarian to uncover this hidden
and often painful condition.
Are dental problems the same in
pets and people?
No. In people, the most common problem is tooth decay, which,
due to the loss of calcium from the enamel, results in painful,
infected caries (also called cavities). In the dog, tooth decay
represents less than 10% of all dental problems. The most common
dental problems seen in dogs are caused by periodontal disease.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a term used to describe inflammation or
infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Accumulation of
tartar and calculus on the teeth causes gum recession around the
base of the tooth. Infection soon follows and the gums recede
further, exposing sensitive unprotected tooth root surfaces and
the bony tooth sockets Left untreated, the infection spreads deep
into the tooth socket, destroying the bone. Ultimately, the tooth
loosens and falls out.
Is
periodontal disease very common?
It is estimated that more than two-thirds of dogs and cats over
three years of age suffer from some degree of periodontitis, making
it by far the most common disease affecting our pets.
How does tartar form, and what
does it do?
Plaque is a gummy substance that forms on the teeth within a few
hours after a meal. Within twenty-four hours, plaque begins to
mineralize by combining with salts that are present in the saliva.
As the plaque continues to accumulate and harden, it eventually
forms tartar. Tartar can cause dental problems such as periodontal
(gum) disease if not controlled.
Is
tartar harmful?
Tartar is harmful to the teeth and gums in two ways. First, it
serves as a place where bacteria can grow and multiply in the
mouth. Both the bacteria and the tartar cause inflammation of
the gums, or gingivitis, which often results in bleeding. Worsening
of the gingivitis leads to periodontal disease, which leads to
further inflammation. There is substantial scientific evidence
that the bacteria on the tartar can be absorbed into the blood
stream and deposited in various organs, including the heart and
the kidneys. Second, as tartar builds up along the gum line, it
pushes the gums away from the roots of the teeth. As the gums
recede, they expose the sensitive, enamel-free part of the tooth
causing and pain. Eventually, if the tartar is not removed, it
will cause the periodontal disease to progress, and the teeth
will loosen and fall out.
How
can I prevent tartar formation on my pet's teeth?
After your dog's teeth have been professionally cleaned and polished
by your veterinarian, we recommend beginning home dental care
to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, particularly tooth brushing
using toothpaste that is specifically designed to be swallowed.
Special dog chew toys and treats may help reduce or delay tartar
build-up.
Some
general tactics you can use to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup
on your dog's teeth are:
Will feeding dry food remove tartar?
Generally, dry food is not that effective in removing tartar since
most dogs don't chew their food well and typically only use the
back molars during eating. Once tartar has formed, it will be
necessary to remove it by professional scaling and polishing under
general anesthesia.
Why can't I just remove the tartar
and plaque with a dental scaler?
Although you can remove the tartar that has accumulated above
the gumline in some dogs that are extremely co-operative, there
are three problems with doing this. First, only the tartar above
the gumline is removed, leaving behind the material below the
gumline, which will continue to cause periodontal problems. Second,
it is not possible or safe to clean the inner surfaces of the
teeth properly in a conscious dog. Third, aside from potentially
harming your pet's mouth or the pet harming you, you will damage
the tooth surface by creating microscopic scratches; these will
provide areas for bacteria to cling to and encourage more rapid
plaque formation, thus making the problem worse. (This is the
reason why your dental hygienist always polishes your teeth after
removing the tartar with dental instruments).
Do
I have to make an appointment for my pet to have a dental scaling
and polishing?
Yes. Your veterinarian will perform pre-anesthetic blood tests,
examine your pet for any other underlying disorders prior to the
procedure, and determine if antibiotic treatment should be started
in advance.
How can I prevent tartar accumulation
after the procedure?
Plaque and tartar begin forming in as little as six hours after
your pet's dental cleaning. A home dental care program including
regular tooth brushing is a must for all pets. Your veterinarian
will provide you with detailed instructions on how to brush or
rinse your pet's teeth.
Can I use human toothpaste?
Absolutely not. Human dentifrice or toothpaste should never be
used in dogs. Many human toothpastes and other oral hygiene products
contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is safe for use in humans
but highly toxic in dogs.
Even
if there is no xylitol in the toothpaste, these foaming products
contain ingredients that are not intended to be swallowed and
that could cause internal problems if they are swallowed. Human
products often contain higher levels of sodium than your pet requires,
which is another reason why they should not be swallowed.
You
should also avoid using baking soda to clean your dog's teeth.
Baking soda is alkaline and if swallowed can upset the acid balance
in the stomach and digestive tract. In addition, baking soda does
not taste very good, and may cause your dog to be uncooperative
when you try to brush its teeth.
Why is pet toothpaste recommended?
Numerous pet toothpastes that are non-foaming and safe to be swallowed
are available in flavors that are appealing to dogs; depending
on the brand, you may be able to find flavors such as poultry,
beef, malt or mint. If you use a product that tastes good, your
pet will be more likely to enjoy the whole experience. In addition
to the pleasant taste, many of these doggy toothpastes contain
enzymes that are designed to help break down plaque chemically,
thus reducing the time you need to spend actually brushing your
dog's teeth.
What are cervical neck lesions
in cats?
Cervical neck lesions result from a progressive destruction of
the enamel resulting in slowly deepening "holes" (cavities
or caries) in affected teeth. Once the sensitive parts of the
tooth are exposed, these lesions are intensely painful, and the
only effective and humane treatment is to extract the tooth. The
cause of this disease is unknown; however, poor oral hygiene may
play a role in the disease process. (see handout "Feline
Oral Resorptive Lesions").
This
client information sheet is based on material written by: Ernest
Ward, DVM and used with permission by Lifelearn.
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Brush
your pet's teeth. This is one of the most effective ways to remove
plaque before it turns into tartar. Use enzymatic toothpaste that
is designed for use in dogs and cats. Do not use human toothpaste.
Many human toothpastes and other oral hygiene products contain
xylitol, a sugar substitute that is safe for use in humans but
highly toxic to dogs. Even if your human toothpaste does not contain
xylitol, it will still contain ingredients that can cause an upset
stomach or digestive disturbance if it is swallowed. Brushing
should be done at least twice weekly (preferably daily), but we
understand that not all dogs will tolerate brushing. Special finger
brushes are made that make this task easier for you and your pet.
Offer
your dog specifically designed chew toys and dental treats that
are designed to help reduce or remove mild tartar accumulation
such as CET Dental Chews.
