Oral Hygiene & Your Pet

Oral Hygiene & Your Pet
By: Dr. Howard Gittelman, DVM

     One of the most frequently neglected areas in our pet’s health is the oral cavity. We are fastidious about their skin, coat, eyes and ears and especially their hind end. Any evidence of discharge is quickly brought to the attention of their doctor to ensure they remain free of infection and odor. Yet their mouths are consistently minimized as an area of concern. 

      The mouth is a breeding ground for a complex population of bacteria; over 500 different bacteria have been identified to date. These multiply depending on a variety of conditions within the mouth which are affected by diet, preventative home care, and our pet’s overall health.  

      These bacteria reproduce on the teeth and gums creating a biofilm; a film of living and breeding bacteria, also known as plaque, which matures with time, and becomes more tenacious as it binds calcium to form a mortar like material called calculus. The calculus adheres firmly to teeth creating irregular chasms for these bacteria to reside within creating the equivalent of an ocean reef; a living calcified organism supporting the growth of this complex mixture of bacterial organisms. 

      Unlike the beautiful underwater reef systems that are essential to underwater ecosystems, calculus creates an environment that leads to production of “bad bacteria,” that create inflammation and destruction of teeth, bone and gums, resulting in periodontal disease.  

      When the bacteria interacts with our pet’s local immune response, releasing bacterial toxins and enzymes that degrade the supporting tissue and bone, the result is tooth loss, foul odor and infection that can spread to distant organs within the body.  

      Fractures of the jaw and abcessation of the face are common sequele to chronic periodontal disease. 

      Periodontal disease is so common, that it’s been reported that 85% of dogs, by the time they reach 3 years-old, are infected, making periodontal disease the most common condition affecting domestic dogs and cats.

      So how can such a foul condition sneak under the radar of diligent pet owners?

      The major reason I believe is because prevention is the key to avoiding periodontal disease; treatment is far less effective once it has developed and owners are unlikely to intervene unless they perceive a problem. This disease is so insidious that it goes unnoticed until owners detect bleeding, bad breath or difficulty chewing.

      The following guidelines are intended to increase awareness about this condition and start you on the path of preventing this painful and unhealthy condition for your loving pet.

Steps to A Healthy Mouth

  • Have your pet’s mouth examined by your veterinarian or veterinary technician. If intervention is necessary, then follow their recommendations, and have the necessary procedures performed. This usually entails dental scaling and polishing and an initial set of dental x-rays. Preventative therapy is not effective in the presence of dental calculus and gingival inflammation.
  • Prevention of plaque accumulation is achieved through two major mechanisms:
    • Brushing: Just like you, your pet’s teeth need regular brushing. Use a small toothbrush that fits their mouth and a veterinary approved dentifrice. Since calculus is resistant to removal by mechanical cleansing, just brushing twice weekly is ineffective at controlling plaque buildup, try adding it to your daily routine.
      In addition, a variety of pet foods and dental chew products have been developed that provide assistance in mechanically removing adherent plaque when used in conjunction with periodic professional examination. Products that have achieved a preset standard of efficacy receive the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval; call our office for the current list of approved products or visit
      http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm  for a detailed list of the of most recently approved products.
    • Chemical/enzymatic antiplaque effect. A number of products containing enzyme systems, or natural supplements, have been developed that claim to prevent plaque accumulation. We have a list of these products for you to try.
  • Prevention of calculus formation
    • Mechanical scaling.   This procedure must be performed by a veterinary professional under anesthesia. We do not recommend “anesthesia-less” dental procedures for the following reasons:
      • Periodontal disease is a subgingival disease; meaning the major changes occur below the gum-line. To adequately clean this area you need to access 360 degrees around each tooth with sharp pointy instruments that vibrate and spray water. If done awake, or with simple sedation, even the most experienced operator will be unable to completely clean and evaluate the entire oral cavity without injury to the pet and or operator.
      • Pathology continues to progress in areas that are undetected, leading to a false sense of security. An undetected minor problem will become a much larger problem that will most certainly lead to tooth loss, infection, pain and possible vital organ damage.
    • Chemical effect. Some commercial pet foods have additives that which reduces the rate of calculus formation on the tooth surface.
  • Reduce the number and effect of pathogenic bacteria:
    • Vaccination against three strains of pathogenic periodontal inducing bacteria is currently available and has been used in our practice with very promising results. The Porphyromonas Vaccine is recommended as an aid to the prevention of periodontal disease in at risk patients.
    • Although antibiotics do decrease the number of pathogenic bacteria they should only be used in conjunction with an established treatment plan. Extended use of antibiotics is not an appropriate means of preventing periodontal disease and can lead to resistant infections.
  •  Control inflammation associated with periodontal disease.
    • Subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics have properties that decrease the inflammatory reaction associated with periodontal disease without having an antimicrobial effect; these compounds can be protective against the tissue-destructive effects of enzymes being released. I have prescribed low dose doxycycline therapy as an adjunct in the management of chronic periodontitis in selected cases.
      Treatment and prevention needs to be tailored to the patient’s specific needs. In some cases, multiple modalities need to be used in order to prevent progression. I cannot emphasize enough, however, the importance of brushing and regular professional dental cleanings as the primary means of controlling this condition.

Pet Oral Hygiene New City