Dental Disease in Dogs Is On the Rise ...and It Can Kill Your Pet
Dogs with dental disease may have difficulty chewing. They can lose their teeth. But the biggest danger is that they face a higher risk for other diseases because the bacteria that are responsible for dental disease can enter the bloodstream and infect the heart, kidneys and/or other organs.
Here’s how to protect your dog from dental disease…
Dogs with gingivitis—the earliest stage of periodontal disease—usually will have tooth discoloration near the gums. The gums will be red and swollen. Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of inflammation that can damage the underlying bone and lead to tooth loss, as well as more dangerous conditions.
Example: A Perdue University study, published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that dogs with periodontal disease had a higher risk for congestive heart failure, as well as endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valves.
Also at increased risk: Bulldogs, pugs, boxers and other brachycephalic breeds with “pushed-in” faces. Because of the shape and size of their jaws, the teeth are crowded.
In addition, any change in your dog’s breath—particularly if it is accompanied by gum redness or apparent mouth discomfort—should be checked by a veterinarian. Veterinarians routinely do mouth-and-gum examinations when you bring your dog in for a checkup. You should take your dog to the veterinarian at least once a year, although dogs that already have dental disease may need to be checked every six months.
Brush your dog’s teeth at least every other day. Daily brushing is ideal. Dogs need to have their teeth brushed for the same reasons that people do—it removes bacteria-laden plaque before it has a chance to harden and turn into tartar.
Use a toothbrush your dog likes. There are toothbrushes made for dogs, including finger brushes, which go on the end of your index finger. But a child’s toothbrush can work…and some dogs will accept electric toothbrushes.
Never use human toothpastes for your pet. These contain ingredients such as xylitol that are not safe for dogs. Pet stores sell a variety of toothpastes in dog-friendly flavors, such as liver or poultry.
Feed dogs dry food. Wet foods leave a sticky coating on the teeth that makes it easier for plaque to accumulate. Dry foods don’t leave as much of this film. Also, the crunching that’s required to eat dry food can help clean the teeth.
Some foods promote dental cleaning. These include Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d and Purina’s DH Dental Health foods. They have larger-sized kibbles that help clean the teeth. Also helpful: Dry dog foods from Iams/Eukanuba. They’re coated with substances that prevent minerals in saliva from accumulating and hardening on the teeth.
Provide tooth-friendly toys. A variety of chew toys are promoted for dental benefits. There’s no real evidence that these work better than other chews, but they might help.
I like sturdy rubber toys because they have a little “give”—dogs can chew them without the risk of breaking a tooth. A company called Kong makes good ones. Special rawhides, such as Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews, also are a good choice for many dogs.
Important: Look for the foods and treats that have been awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal. It’s displayed on products that have been proved to help control plaque and tartar.
Spike their water. You can add liquid products to your dog’s water that reduce the concentration of oral bacteria and inhibit the formation of plaque. Products such as Dog Essential HealthyMouth, made by HealthyMouth, can reduce plaque by more than two-thirds.
What’s involved: The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The teeth are “scaled,” or scraped, to remove tartar. The veterinarian also will clean under the gums where infections and periodontal disease originate. Cost: Generally between $100 and $500.
Source: Jean Joo, DVM, dental and oral surgeon at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties clinic in Walpole, Massachusetts, and an assistant clinical professor in the department of clinical sciences at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
Here’s how to protect your dog from dental disease…
IT STARTS IN THE GUMS
The most common form of dental disease in dogs is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease in dogs is similar to periodontal disease in humans. It is an ongoing inflammation of the gums that can cause bleeding and tenderness.Dogs with gingivitis—the earliest stage of periodontal disease—usually will have tooth discoloration near the gums. The gums will be red and swollen. Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of inflammation that can damage the underlying bone and lead to tooth loss, as well as more dangerous conditions.
Example: A Perdue University study, published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that dogs with periodontal disease had a higher risk for congestive heart failure, as well as endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valves.
WHICH DOGS ARE MOST AT RISK?
Any dog can develop dental disease. Some breeds are more prone to it, however. The breeds most likely to develop dental problems are toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese, Pomeranians and Shetland sheepdogs. These breeds tend to have more severe problems because they have large teeth relative to the size of the jaw. This causes tooth-crowding that traps food and hair, along with plaque, the sticky substance that leads to gum disease.Also at increased risk: Bulldogs, pugs, boxers and other brachycephalic breeds with “pushed-in” faces. Because of the shape and size of their jaws, the teeth are crowded.
DANGER SIGNS
If your dog has a few discolored teeth, it may indicate dental disease. If all the teeth are uniformly discolored, it’s probably just normal staining. If just one or a few teeth are discolored, your dog needs to get checked.In addition, any change in your dog’s breath—particularly if it is accompanied by gum redness or apparent mouth discomfort—should be checked by a veterinarian. Veterinarians routinely do mouth-and-gum examinations when you bring your dog in for a checkup. You should take your dog to the veterinarian at least once a year, although dogs that already have dental disease may need to be checked every six months.
DOGGIE DENTAL CARE
Important steps to protect your dog…Brush your dog’s teeth at least every other day. Daily brushing is ideal. Dogs need to have their teeth brushed for the same reasons that people do—it removes bacteria-laden plaque before it has a chance to harden and turn into tartar.
Use a toothbrush your dog likes. There are toothbrushes made for dogs, including finger brushes, which go on the end of your index finger. But a child’s toothbrush can work…and some dogs will accept electric toothbrushes.
Never use human toothpastes for your pet. These contain ingredients such as xylitol that are not safe for dogs. Pet stores sell a variety of toothpastes in dog-friendly flavors, such as liver or poultry.
Feed dogs dry food. Wet foods leave a sticky coating on the teeth that makes it easier for plaque to accumulate. Dry foods don’t leave as much of this film. Also, the crunching that’s required to eat dry food can help clean the teeth.
Some foods promote dental cleaning. These include Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d and Purina’s DH Dental Health foods. They have larger-sized kibbles that help clean the teeth. Also helpful: Dry dog foods from Iams/Eukanuba. They’re coated with substances that prevent minerals in saliva from accumulating and hardening on the teeth.
Provide tooth-friendly toys. A variety of chew toys are promoted for dental benefits. There’s no real evidence that these work better than other chews, but they might help.
I like sturdy rubber toys because they have a little “give”—dogs can chew them without the risk of breaking a tooth. A company called Kong makes good ones. Special rawhides, such as Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews, also are a good choice for many dogs.
Important: Look for the foods and treats that have been awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal. It’s displayed on products that have been proved to help control plaque and tartar.
Spike their water. You can add liquid products to your dog’s water that reduce the concentration of oral bacteria and inhibit the formation of plaque. Products such as Dog Essential HealthyMouth, made by HealthyMouth, can reduce plaque by more than two-thirds.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
If you have a dog that has never or rarely had its teeth cleaned, you may want to schedule a professional cleaning. This is particularly important if tarter is already present, since it can’t be removed by brushing alone.What’s involved: The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The teeth are “scaled,” or scraped, to remove tartar. The veterinarian also will clean under the gums where infections and periodontal disease originate. Cost: Generally between $100 and $500.
Source: Jean Joo, DVM, dental and oral surgeon at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties clinic in Walpole, Massachusetts, and an assistant clinical professor in the department of clinical sciences at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
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Original publication date December 15, 2011
