Just as with humans, plaque and tartar can build up on your pet’s teeth causing bad breath, gingivitis and periodontal disease. More than 80% of dogs and cats over the age of four years have some form of dental disease and, just like in humans, the main cause is a build up of plaque due to poor oral hygiene – imagine how your mouth would feel (and smell!) if you never brushed your teeth. Over time, this plaque hardens into tartar – a hard yellow-brown substance. This build up of plaque and tartar can lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and eventually periodontal disease may develop. Periodontal disease is a painful inflammatory condition where bacteria invade the gums and tissues which hold the teeth in place, damaging them and ultimately leading to tooth loss. These bacteria can also invade the bloodstream, potentially causing damage to the internal organs, in particular the lungs, heart, kidney and liver.
Some factors which contribute to your pet developing dental disease include:
- Poor oral hygiene – plaque and tartar build up.
- Breed – overcrowded or misaligned teeth can more easily trap food particles or cause ineffective chewing. This is often a problem in the smaller breeds of dog. Some breeds of cat are more predisposed to periodontal disease.
- Food – feeding a predominately soft food diet can result in a more rapid accumulation of plaque.
- Age – dental disease occurs more commonly in the older animal.
An examination and assessment by your vet is the best way to determine if your pet has dental disease. However, there are some signs of dental disease that you may have already noticed in your pet:
- Bad breath
- Tartar build up causing yellowing of teeth
- Bleeding gums
- Pain when eating or pawing at the mouth
- Change of chewing or eating habits
- Tooth loss
- Subdued behaviour
- Dribbling saliva
In severe cases, the vet may advise extraction of loose or damaged teeth. In early dental disease – a clean and scale to remove plaque, tartar and staining may be all that is required – just as your dentist might perform when you have a dental appointment. For these procedures to be as effective and safe as possible, your pet will usually be given a general anaesthetic. Depending on the condition of your pet’s teeth, the vet will recommend professional cleaning/scaling every six to 18 months.
Following initial treatment – continued dental home care for your dog or cat can make a tremendous difference to their comfort and health, as well as your veterinary dental bills. The aim of dental home care is to minimise the build-up of plaque on the teeth, and prevent mineralisation (hardening) of plaque to form tartar. Plaque can be reduced by mechanical methods such as tooth brushing and chewing. Chemicals can also be used to kill plaque bacteria or slow down tartar formation, and generally are used in combination with mechanical cleaning. Combining several methods will generally achieve the best results.
Home care products do not replace the need for regular dental checks and professional dental care under anaesthesia. Even humans who brush their teeth twice a day, floss and use mouthwash need to have their teeth examined and professionally cleaned by human dentists on a regular basis. Home care spaces out the need for professional care, and means that teeth are less likely to be lost or irreversibly damaged.
Toothbrushing
If your pet will allow it, tooth brushing is the single most effective way of controlling plaque. Brushing disturbs the layer of plaque forming on the teeth before it can harden into tartar. Ideally this should be done daily. Many pets will accept brushing if it is introduced slowly and associated with a reward.
Dog and cat toothbrushes and toothpastes are readily available. Toothbrushes need to have soft bristles – you can use a very soft human toothbrush, but many people find pet toothbrushes easier to use as they have the head angled in a direction that makes it easier to reach the back teeth. With toothpaste, it is important to use one designed for animals, as human toothpaste is not designed to be swallowed (and dogs are not good at rinsing and spitting). Pet toothpastes come in tasty flavours such as chicken, tuna and beef which can also help make the brushing experience more of a treat. Alternatively, oral antiseptics can be used, or just water alone – most of the benefit is actually from the brushing action.
It is very important to have your pet’s mouth examined by a vet before commencing a brushing program, as the presence of any existing disease may make the experience painful – you can then start safely once any disease is under control. Once plaque hardens to calculus, it cannot be removed by brushing alone, so if your dog or cat has visible tartar, having this professionally removed first will make any homecare you perform much more effective.
Introducing toothbrushing
1. Start toothbrushing as early in life as you can. It is easiest to teach young animals to have their teeth brushed, and prevention is better than cure.
2. Make sure your pet is relaxed and comfortable – sitting in your lap, or being cuddled by another person.
3. Make the initial sessions brief and positive. Don’t push the matter if your pet is getting upset. It often takes several weeks for your pet to allow you to use a toothbrush and toothpaste on them without protest.
4. Start by using just your fingertips to rub along the teeth and gums. You can dip your finger into beef stock (dog) or tuna water (cat), or use a dab of a tasty pet toothpaste to make it more acceptable.
5. Approach from the side and start with just a few teeth, gradually increasing the number of teeth as your pet gets used to it.
6. Move up to using a facecloth or small finger brush, and finally onto a very soft bristle brush (which is needed to reach plaque hiding under the gumline).
7. Choose a toothpaste designed for pets. Aside from the more appealing flavour, pet toothpaste is much safer for regular use.
8. When introducing toothpaste, put a small amount on your finger and let your pet taste it. Then press the paste down into the bristles of the toothbrush so your pet can’t just lick it off.
9. Offer a reward at the end of the procedure, such as a walk or a game.
10. Have your pet’s teeth examined regularly by your vet. Toothbrushing slows down
dental disease, but does not prevent it completely. Humans who brush twice a day still need to have their teeth cleaned professionally, and so do our pets.
Chewing
Dogs love to chew, and this has the added benefit of helping to keep their teeth clean. Chewing has an abrasive action that helps remove plaque – however it is important to offer something that is safe (not too small, hard or brittle) yet still effective. Cats tend to be are a bit more finicky than dogs, but can be convinced to chew if offered something interesting and tasty!
Bones are very popular and have the added benefit of providing enjoyment and boredom relief. However they should be used with caution as there are some potential complications:
- Some pets will break their teeth on them, particularly the upper carnassials (large teeth at the back of the mouth). This can lead to infection of the jawbone and tooth root abscess if left untreated
- Bones can cause gastrointestinal obstruction and trauma. Cooked bones should never be fed as they are brittle and prone to splintering. Match the size of the bone to the pet (ask your vet for advice if you are unsure) to try and minimise the risk of choking or obstruction.
Some pets may chew bones for years and never have a problem, whereas others chew in such a manner that makes them highly prone to dental damage. You should supervise your pet and remove any bones if concerned about their chewing behaviour.
Dental Diets: normal commercial dry foods may help to break up plaque but they are not very effective in slowing down periodontal disease as they tend to shatter when bitten. Special dental diets are available which have been proven to reduce plaque and/or tartar build up. These work by physically cleaning the teeth (as they do not fall apart as easily when chewed) or by the addition of chemicals that prevent the hardening of plaque to form tartar. Examples of these diets include Hills T/D and Royal Canin Dental diets.
Chew Toys and Treats: Other chewy options include specially designed dental chew treats such as Greenies, rawhide, pig’s ears and chew toys such as Kongs. Like with bones – take into consideration size, hardness and brittleness to help minimise the risk of problems. Hard toys should be avoided as they increase the risk of tooth fracture. Tennis balls are very abrasive and can cause excessive tooth wear or split and cause intestinal obstruction. As with bones, supervision of your pet while chewing is recommended.
Dental Antiseptics
Antiseptics kill plaque bacteria and work best when combined with mechanical cleaning. There are several forms available including rinses, gels, pastes and water additives. These tend to work better for dogs as many cats may find the taste not to their liking.
