Dental disease is probably one of the most common problems we see every day as veterinarians. Smelly breath is one of the first signs for owners that something is wrong, but there has been a disease process going on before that. Plaque, a soft gooey substance, builds up on teeth first. This eventually mineralizes into a hard substance called tartar. Plaque and tartar are generally the worst around the gumline, and this compromises the integrity of the periodontal pocket…the tiny trough between the gum and the tooth. When this occurs, bacteria can get a foothold and start causing damage in this very important location. When the periodontal pocket is compromised bacteria can cause damage to the ligament that holds the tooth in its socket and also start slowly eating away at the bone that makes up the socket itself. This leads to loose, painful teeth. (Although the area has potentially been painful since gingivitis started, way back at the tartar stage!)

The bacteria also have access to the blood stream as the gums have lots of blood supply. The bacteriemia doesn’t mean that your pet will automatically be sick, but there will be bacteria circulating throughout your pet’s body waiting for a chance to gain a foothold. This can occur as gradual damage to the kidneys, liver and other organs and the opportunity to settle on the heart valves…especially in animals with heart murmurs. As you can see, bad teeth go way beyond stinky breath!

Probing the periodontal pocket can only be done well under anesthesia. It’s awkward to reach the back teeth and most of our patients do not sit still and say “Ahhhhh”!

Most pets that already have periodontal disease present need to have a dental cleaning under anesthesia, with or without extractions. This is also the best time to perform a complete dental examination. While your pet received an oral exam while awake, the true severity of the dental disease can only be assessed by probing the periodontal pockets while they are anesthetized. Unfortunately, once tartar and moderate periodontal disease are present there is no home care that can be done without hurting inflamed gums and loose teeth. Most owners that attempt home care at this point are frustrated as their pet won’t tolerate the brushing of a sore mouth.

Before this point is reached, or after a cleaning, there are all kinds of options available to owners and pets.

1. Brushing is still considered the gold standard, and an enzymatic toothpaste is recommended as the physical act of brushing, as well as the enzymatic activity, will work together to reduce plaque on teeth. Starting to use he toothpaste on your finger only and slowly working up to a soft-bristled toothbrush is the best way to train a pet to accept brushing.

2.  Dental chews that promote healthy gums and dental exercise come in many different forms now so even the pickiest pet can usually find one they like. We carry Greenies and C.E.T. Chews as two options here. Both are made for dogs and cats.

3. There are a few dental diets on the market now. Some, like the Purina DH we carry, physically scrape the plaque off the teeth and the larger kibble size encourages more chewing. Other diets coat their kibble in a substance that is supposed to create a barrier against tartar build-up.

4. Chew toys come in many different shapes and textures. There are so many ways to increase the chewing activity of your pet, again most owners can find something that will occupy their pet’s attention and help clean their teeth! Kong's Dental Stick have a great shape to enhance gum massage and act like a tooth “squeegee”.

5.  OraVet is a dental sealant made by Merial. It can be applied at home on a weekly basis to healthy teeth and gums to slow the build-up of tartar and plaque on your pet’s teeth. We do an application as a part of every dental cleaning, and it is a simple way for most owners to continue to protect their pet’s teeth after a cleaning.

For more complete information on different products that can help improve your home dental care, visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s (www.VOHC.org) site. You can find a list of dental care products that have been approved of by the VOHC.

Needless to say, the best approach to pet dental health is to start a daily care program BEFORE disease is present! Unfortunately, some breeds are more prone to dental disease than others…toy breeds (Yorkies, Pomeranians, Maltese, etc…) and sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, etc…), and even the best home care in the world cannot prevent them from requiring regular veterinary dental cleanings. Sometimes as frequently as every 6-12 months. If tartar and gingivitis are already present, a good exam and cleaning under anesthesia will set you and your pet up for beginning a home care program that we can help develop.

Remember, February is Dental Health Month, but dental care should go on

all year around!