Imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you did not brush them routinely. What if you never brushed them at all? Not a pleasant thought, but this is a reality for many pets. Unless you are regularly providing some form of dental care for your pet, you are neglecting an important part of your pet’s overall health.
Periodontal or gum disease is one of the most common problems seen by veterinarians. Periodontal disease is known as the “silent disease” because of its slow, progressive nature. Bad breath, loose teeth and bleeding gums are some of the early signs but periodontal disease can cause weight loss, serious generalized infections, kidney, bladder and even heart-valve infections.
Periodontal disease begins when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on the teeth. Plaque harbors bacteria which cause the infection and subsequent gum inflammation and recession. In severe cases, the plaque has become so large and mineralized that we call it calculus. The gum continues to recede, exposing the tooth root beneath the crown. This can cause pain and discomfort which leads to decreased appetite. Eventually, the tooth will die and fall out. This can be serious if a “dry pocket” infection develops. A foul-smelling discharge, pus, bleeding, and extreme pain are some of the symptoms.
Home dental care is easy for you and your pet. A word of caution: DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE OR BAKING SODA IN PETS. Human toothpastes contain ingredients which may cause gastric upset and foaming at the mouth. The high sodium levels in baking soda may cause problems in some animals, especially those with a heart condition.
There are two common methods for cleaning your pet’s teeth at home:
- Brushing
- Antimicrobial rinses
Brushing is accomplished by using enzymatic toothpastes which do the cleaning for you. We recommend using a soft finger brushette for applying the dentrifice. Use a gradual approach to brushing: rub the face with the brush on for a few days to accustom the pet to the sight and smell of the brush; slowly begin to rub the gums for a few days; finally, add the dentrifice and rub it on the outside surfaces of the teeth. Brushing every 2-7 days will save you and your pet future problems.
An acceptable alternative to brushing is oral rinses with an antimicrobial such as chlorhexadine. Spraying a small amount in each cheek every other day will help reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria that are the “root” of the problem.
WE DO NOT RECOMMEND GIVING YOUR PETS RAWHIDE CHEWS. They expand when wet and are the number one cause of intestinal obstruction at our hospital. They are poorly effective at “cleaning the teeth”. Instead, we recommend chew-safe toys such as Nylabone® and Kong® products. Contact the hospital for additional information when selecting safe chew-toys for your loved one.
In pets where home dental care is a problem or in advanced cases of periodontal disease, we recommend the use of Pulsatile Antibiotics. We commonly use clindamycin twice daily for 5 days each month. This reduces pathogenic bacteria and promotes a healthy oral environment. Especially important if your pet has any type of heart disease. Remember, periodontal or gum disease is the leading cause of heart valve infections (endocardiosis), a life-threatening and life-shortening condition.
We recommend starting a home dental program while the puppy or kitten is still young. Your veterinarian may recommend thorough scaling and polishing procedures as your pet ages and tartar accumulates. Dental care is the easiest way to ensuring that your pet enjoys a long, healthy, productive life.
