By Eileen Alberton, DVM
Williams Lake Vet Clinic 

Did you know that nearly 85% of pets have periodontal (dental) disease by three years of age? 

If you want to show your kids the importance of brushing regularly, lift up the dog or cat’s lips and take a look and a sniff.  Sometimes the tartar build-up, gum recession, infection and smell can be a real surprise.

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is reversible, but the disease processes and bone loss that follow are not.   

Regular, preferably daily, brushing for your pet can make a significant difference in weather professional dental cleaning will be necessary. 

Hand scaling without anaesthetic actually does little more than make a prettier picture!  Read on to learn why.

Just like in people, the enamel on the outside of a pet’s teeth is coated regularly in saliva and bacteria. Within a day, this material becomes a soft plaque.  If left on the teeth (ie not brushed off), this plaque, with the help of calcium and other minerals in the saliva, forms a solid grit or tartar on the teeth over the next four days.  This harbours bacteria that cause inflammation that then damages the gums and bones of the jaw. 

The bone is literally eaten away over time, resulting in loose and lost teeth, and very sensitive gums.  The bone can become so thin a broken jaw can occur, especially in the smaller toy breeds.  Also, we know that there is a correlation between periodontal disease and the health of organs that are well perfused by the bloodstream-heart, kidneys and liver.   

It is a good idea to get your pet used to checking their mouth regularly, and actually brushing their teeth.  The routine is best tolerated if started when they are new puppies or kittens, so that it is just that, part of the routine!

As with our dental care, what we can do at home is not enough. A professional dental cleaning is often still needed, and it involves the following six steps:

1. Removal of visible larger tartar deposits using hand instruments

2. More delicate removal of tartar at the gum line, usually with an ultrasonic scaler (this also kills the bacteria)

3. Probing and measuring  the depth of the space between the tooth and gum to assess severity of disease, and x-rays to see root abscesses

4. Scraping the tartar below the gum line, or root planing, until the roots are smooth again

5. Enamel  polishing to make it smooth again, after removal of the tartar(which leaves the surface microscopically pitted)

6. Mouth disinfection

7. Recording findings on each individual tooth

Without anaesthetic, it is only possible to perform the first of the steps described.  When awake, if any attempt is made to work below the gum line, the animal will struggle, and will feel discomfort and possibly pain.  Once this happens, further treatment will likely result in trauma to the gums and mouth, and more resistance yet. 

Also, if the outer tooth above and below the gum line (enamel and root) is not left smooth after removal of tartar, it is easier for the bacteria and tartar to re-attach to the microscopically roughened surface, and for the whole disease process to recur more quickly.  In fact, you may speed up the deterioration, rather than slowing it down. 

Studies have shown that brushing four times a week can maintain adequate tooth and gum health, but once gingivitis is present, daily brushing is needed.

Just as in people, the ideal is daily brushing, but sometimes this is just not going to happen.  Other products exist that help to some degree.  Wipes, rinses, and pads exist that may help to disinfect the mouth and teeth surfaces, and wipe some of the plaque off teeth surfaces.  Chews exist that have a compound that prevents mineralization of the plaque, and provide some abrasion, but they should be given 6 days a week, and their calorie content may help to create an overweight dog with other problems.

Dental diets also exist, and use one or more technologies to help clean the teeth.  Look for the VOHC seal of approval on treats and diets---these products have been tested, and meet standards that show they are effective.

For more information, visit www.oravet.us.merial.com, or discuss concerns with your veterinary hospital tem members.