Dental Disease
       

Dental disease is one of the most insidious and common diseases affecting America's pet population.  Almost 80% of America's dogs and cats have developed gingivitis by two years of age.  Over a lifetime, periodontal disease can lead to  bad breath, root decay and loss of teeth, jaw abscesses, liver, heart and kidney disease and failure.

Every time a dog or cat eats, small particles stick to the teeth and combine with bacteria to form a sticky film called plaque.  If this plaque is not cleaned off, it will harden into a hard, brown layer called tartar.   Tartar is a semi-permanent substance bonded to the tooth itself that harbors dangerous bacteria that begin attacking the gums and the roots of the teeth.  This is periodontal disease, and is an irreversible process. 
 


The Veterinary Oral Health Council has a very informative website explaining periodontal disease and preventative oral care.



Signs of Oral/Dental Disease
1.  Bad breath
2.  Broken teeth
3.  Excessive drooling
4.  Reluctance to eat, especially dry food, or to play with chew toys
5.  Chewing with or favoring one side of the mouth
6.  Pawing or rubbing at the muzzle/mouth
7.  Bleeding from the mouth
8.  Loss of symmetry in the face or jaw
9.  Swollen/draining wounds under or in front of the eye
10.  Sudden change in behavior, becoming aggressive or withdrawn
11.  Chronic eye infections or drainage
12. Inability to open or close the mouth
13.  Chronic sneezing
14.  Discolored teeth
15.  Abnormal discharge from the nose
16.  A mass/growth in the mouth 


In order to preserve your pet's dental health, the American Veterinary Dental Association recommends brushing your dog or cat's teeth every day.
You can use a children's or a dog's toothbrush or a finger brush. 

However, it is important to use special animal toothpaste as human toothepaste must not be swallowed.
  

 
There are many other techniques that can be used to help clean away plaque before it hardens into tartar and begins to destroy your pet's healthy mouth, including enzymatically treated chew bones, special diets, dental rinses and additives to the water dish that wash the teeth.  Any combination of products or methods will help to decrease the amount of plaque, the number of bacteria and the incidence of gum disease.  The Healthy Pet website from the Iams company, at www.HealthyTeethForPets.com, has many helpful tips and good information on dental disease.  Also, there is a good video on how to brush your dog's teeth at this site, http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-brush-your-dog-s-teeth-204590/.  (I have not checked out the other videos on this site.)

Eventually, your pet's teeth will build up enough tartar that they will need to be professionally cleaned.  See our dental cleaning page for more information on this procedure.