Do you get stinky kisses from your pets?  Did you know that periodontal (gum) disease is the most common infectious disease in the world?  It is estimated that at least eighty percent of all pets over two years of age are affected with some form of periodontal disease.  Fortunately, periodontal or dental disease is also the most preventable disease.

The cause of dental disease is plaque.  If the plaque is not removed, it will become tartar.  As in humans, when plaque and tartar are allowed to form, bacteria grow which will infect gum tissue and the roots of the teeth.  In addition to the negative impact on your pet’s mouth, bacteria will enter the bloodstream through the large network of blood vessels located in the gums and teeth.  Recent studies have documented that certain heart, liver and kidney diseases may be associated with these bacteria.  This is often why it is suggested that good oral pet hygiene will increase the lifespan of your animal.  Your pet’s clean mouth should result in a healthier pet overall.

The predisposing factors to periodontal disease are plaque retention, i.e., lack of oral hygiene, since dogs and cats cannot brush their own teeth, diet (soft food versus dry), incorrectly positioned teeth and retained “baby” teeth.

There are two forms of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.  Gingivitis is totally reversible with a thorough dental cleaning, while periodontitis involves the loss of tooth and/or bone mass.  The symptoms of these conditions include yellowing to browning of the teeth, bad or very bad breath, reddening with eventual swelling of the gums and separation of the gums from the teeth.  Ultimately, if not treated, your pet will have difficulty eating and chewing food and then lose its appetite.

It is almost guaranteed that, without proper care, your pet will develop dental disease, generally within several years of birth.  The smaller the mouth of the animal, the earlier and more frequent the need for dental prophylaxis.  Dental checkups and cleanings should begin at seven or eight months of age.  At that time, proper home cleaning techniques can be taught by your veterinarian and your pet’s mouth examined for possible retained “baby” teeth.  The animal will be more accepting of home oral care if begun early in its life.

Regardless of your pet’s age, home care should include some method of removing plaque.  The best way is to brush the animal’s teeth.  If you choose to brush, you will need a special form of toothbrush designed for the animal’s mouth as well as flavored pet toothpaste.  These toothpastes do not need to be rinsed.  Human toothpaste or baking soda should not be used.

If the animal will not cooperate with your attempts at brushing, your veterinarian can provide you with an antibacterial oral spray or CET AquaDent, an antibacterial product that is added to your pet’s drinking water, as well as certain chew products, such as CET Chews and Greenies, which contain enzymes or other materials formulated to help remove plaque.

Diet is also a major component of good oral health.  Soft or sticky foods contribute to plaque buildup.  Dry foods, biscuits and special tartar control diets, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d can help to remove plaque above the gum line.

Notwithstanding your best efforts, generally, at least every other year, you should bring your pet to your veterinarian for a thorough dental cleaning.  This is less frequent than you should visit your dentist for a cleaning and has the same medical and dental objectives.  Animals with smaller mouths will probably need to schedule a cleaning slightly more frequently than bi-annually.

As you can see, good dental health for your pet is very similar to human dental prophylaxis and definitely involves the combined efforts of the owner and the veterinarian.