DENTAL HEALTH

Do you ever turn your nose up to your pet’s breath? Is it hard to sit  next to them with the odor of their breath? Bad breath or halitosis is  certainly not limited to humans and can affect dogs and cats. While  humans are typically aware (or not aware) of halitosis our pets are  oblivious when their breath smells atrocious. This poses a big problem  as halitosis can be due to some major dental disease and we as owners  are responsible for the oral health care of our pets.

What causes halitosis?
Halitosis is the result of odor-producing bacteria that build up in your  pet’s mouth, lungs or gut. While we may think that the root of bad  breath is always in the mouth, it could be a sign of a more major  problem with the liver, kidneys or gastrointestinal tract. Regardless,  halitosis is the result of bacteria build-up, saliva and food that have  contributed to plaque. If left untreated, this build-up over time can  result in an infection affecting the gums and surrounding tissues of the  teeth and cause the breath to worsen.

What do I do if my pet has halitosis?
First, don’t panic! There are lots of remedies and help available. The  best thing you can do is make an appointment with your veterinarian for a  physical exam and comprehensive oral exam. He/she will recommend  specific diagnostics based on physical exam findings and history. Blood  work may be recommended to figure out if there is a problem present  other than oral disease. If your veterinarian finds excessive calculus,  broken teeth, discolored teeth, etc. on oral exam then he/she will  recommend a dental cleaning under anesthesia.

What treatment will be done for my cat and dog with halitosis?
As mentioned previously, if there are problems found on the physical  exam or blood work, then those problems will be addressed first. If a  teeth cleaning is warranted and there are no problems on the initial  exam or blood work, then a cleaning under anesthesia will be scheduled.  Cleaning under anesthesia will typically begin with a thorough oral  exam, dental radiographs, and routine scaling/polishing of all the  teeth. The examination and radiographs may reveal more significant  concerns that may require further treatment. If abnormalities are found,  such as fractured teeth, tooth root abscesses, etc., then extraction of  those teeth may be recommended. After the dental cleaning, sealants may  be applied in some cases. Rinses, antibiotics, and pain medication may  also be sent home to reduce discomfort, help clear infection, and allow  for proper healing.

What can I do at home to help prevent/treat halitosis?
There are many easy things you can do at home to help prevent halitosis.  There are lots of choices of toothpaste and toothbrushes designed  specifically for pet use. Pets need their teeth brushed just like humans  and it is recommended to brush them once a day. If that is too often  for you, even as little as once a week will be beneficial. Antibacterial  rinses can help with bacterial load and in turn with halitosis (and  they are easier to use than they sound!). Chews can also be given to  help with the mechanical removal of plaque. Some chews even contain  antibacterial ingredients that can combat the bacterial load. Finally,  some dental diets offer another option for removing plaque mechanically.

Remember to have a complete oral health exam performed at least  annually as part of a general physical exam. Combining regular  monitoring with proper dental care as recommended by your veterinarian  will help to prevent halitosis and severe dental disease from occurring.  Make an appointment today!

It’s never too early to start thinking about what can be done at home  to prevent dental disease in your dog or cat. When it comes to home  care products, it is important that they are easy to administer, safe,  effective and taste good to your pet. There are many choices out there  and a consultation with your veterinarian can direct you to the most  effective home care solutions.

To catch problems before they become bigger problems, physical exams,  including complete dental exams, should be performed every 6 months to a  year. At each of these visits, take the time to learn about solutions  that will aid you in providing the best oral health care for your pet.

Oral health care at home begins with brushing your pet’s teeth. This  is the best way to maintain oral hygiene between dental cleanings in  dogs and cats. This should be done daily for best results, but can still  be beneficial if done less frequently. Human toothpaste is not  recommended because it has been known to cause gastric upset in pets and  there are ingredients that should not be swallowed by dogs or cats. In  addition, you will quickly find out that human toothpastes don’t taste  good to dogs and cats. It may be intimidating to brush your cat or dog’s  teeth, but it is easier than you think and there are many video  tutorials available online. And the more you do it, the easier it gets!

Brushing may not be a realistic option for every pet. In this  scenario, dental treats or chews offer an alternative or compliment to  home care prevention. There is a wide range of treats and chews  available and it is recommended to find products with ingredients  sourced from the US. Chews and treats provide natural abrading action to  help remove plaque and food debris. The two most common types of chews  on the market are enzymatic chews and chlorhexidine chews. Enzymatic  chews are enzymatically treated to help boost the pets’ own natural  defenses (similar to enzymatic toothpaste) found in saliva and are  offered in multiple sizes to accommodate the size of your pet, including  cats. The chlorhexidine products contain chlorhexidine (has  antimicrobial effects) which inhibits plaque accumulation on tooth  surfaces, decreases the quantity of bacteria in saliva, alters the  composition of microbial flora, binds to oral mucosal surfaces and is  released slowly over time. As with the enzymatic chews, these chews come  in multiple sizes to accommodate all dogs. Delmopinol, a prescription  ingredient, is a newer ingredient in some chews that forms a  preventative barrier that blocks the formation of bacteria and future  formation plaque and calculus. In following the American Veterinary  Dermatology College, it is not recommended to give dogs and cats cow  hooves, dried natural bones, or hard nylon products because they are too  hard and could damage the gums or teeth.

Rinses are available for those patients that don’t like to chew or  don’t find chews palatable, have food allergies, don’t need the extra  calories, or are too difficult for their owners to successfully brush  their teeth. Rinses can also be added to the other home care options to  improve the overall results. Rinses are often used during oral surgery  and dental cleanings. Most contain 0.12% chlorhexidine with zinc, and  have a pleasant taste for pets due to added breath fresheners that cover  up the bitter taste of chlorhexidine. Rinses are highly effective  antimicrobial, anti-plaque and anti-calculus products that aid in the  prevention of tooth and gum disease. In addition, they can help with bad  breath!

Other products that may be incorporated into your home care plan can  include sealants, and prescription dental diets. Sealants and gels  provide a physical barrier and are applied to the gum line. They prevent  bacteria from invading the underlying structures of the gum. They are  also used to prevent plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Dental  diets are another option and they typically have a unique kibble size  that helps remove plaque that can cause disease of the underlying  structures of the gums. These can be life-long diets and work daily to  clean the surface of the tooth with abrasive action.

If you have questions about the oral healthcare of your pet and want  to know more about what you can do, ask your veterinarian today!

The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80% of  dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Age 3! This  makes it one of the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets.  Since pets hide their disease and pain well, periodontal disease  typically does not produce obvious clinical signs to owners until the  disease is in advanced stages. Because of this, it is often left  untreated. Which is a shame because untreated disease increases the  likelihood of the infection moving to other parts of the body  potentially causing another serious health problem such as heart  disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and bone loss. Therefore,  preventative care and awareness are vital in combating this serious  disease.

Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of tooth  support below the gum line. It is caused by the accumulation of numerous  types of bacteria at the gum line, leading to inflammation and  infection of tissue and structures surrounding the teeth. Improper  dental hygiene is usually the culprit for the accumulation of these  bacteria.

There are two types of periodontal disease that can contribute to the  inflammation and destruction of tissues: gingivitis and periodontitis.¹  ²

• Gingivitis, or the inflammation at the gum line, is started by  plaque and contributes to bad breath. Oral examination may reveal red,  swollen, or bleeding gums. The good news is that gingivitis is  reversible and limited to the gum tissue. That is why it is best to get  it treated right away, before it leads to periodontitis.
• There are several visual signs in a pet that has developed  periodontitis: abnormal pocketing between the root of the tooth and gum,  gum recession, gum swelling and inflammation along with calculus.  Toxins from the bacteria and host immune system increase permeability  and breakdown the supporting tissues.² You may notice that affected  teeth are loose and contain debris under the gum line. This can  eventually lead to tooth loss or require removal of the tooth.

It is important to bring your pet to their annual veterinarian visits  for a thorough oral examination. Should periodontal disease be found,  the treatment your veterinarian chooses will depend on the severity of  the disease. If gingivitis is present, a comprehensive cleaning of the  teeth, including above and below the gingival margin is required with  further treatment possible.² Gingivitis will most likely return if the  plaque and bacteria aren’t controlled with frequent teeth cleaning and  at-home care. Periodontitis is also treated with a thorough cleaning,  but needs further treatment to prevent tooth loss. The procedures more  specialized techniques which your veterinarian will explain or refer to a  veterinary dentist to perform. Ultimately, if too much bone loss is  present or supportive tissues are lost, then removal of the tooth is  warranted. As with any cleaning or oral surgery, antibiotics and pain  medication should be used where applicable.

The good news that periodontal disease is preventable if caught  early! The AVDS has recommendations to help reduce the risk of oral  health disease:

1. Routine physical exams with oral exams at least yearly.
2. At home oral care maintenance program possibly including dental diets, mouth rinsing, teeth brushing and oral chews.
3. Schedule follow-up visits.

References

1. Manfra Marretta S: Periodontal Disease. Saunders Manual of Small  Animal Practice 2nd Edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2000. p.  711-713.
2. Aiello Susan E, Mays Asa: Merck Veterinary Manual 8th Edition. Whitehouse Station: Merck & CO., Inc; 1998. p. 136-137.
3. Harvey CE: Management of Periodontal Disease: Understanding the  Options. Veterinary clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 35:4.  Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; July 2005, p. 819-836.
4. Holmstrom SE, Bellows J, et.al.: AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for  Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.  September/October 2005, Vol. 41; p. 1-7.

THIS INFO WAS PROVIDED BY VETOQUINOL