Great Lakes Veterinary Clinic, S.C.

2845 Cty Rd JJ

Neenah, WI 54956

  PH. 920 727-1570                                                                     Fax 920-727-1579

www.greatlakesvetclinic.com

Five Steps to Good Dental Care for Dogs

Just like in humans, dog’s teeth need regular attention too. Our busy lives make it challenging to practice effective dental care for our pets, but dental diseases can affect a pet’s overall health. Many pet owners don’t realize that 85% of dogs will have some form of periodontitis by the time they are three-years-old.

Thankfully, most dental disease is preventable and by carefully following the simple steps below, that number can dramatically decrease.

STEP 1: Take your pet to the veterinarian for a professional cleaning and scaling. At-home care is essential as well, but only a veterinarian can tackle big issues like plaque and gingivitis.

STEP 2: Implement a regular dental routine at home. There are a number of brushing tools available, from poultry favored toothpaste to toothbrushes that fit right on your fingertip.

STEP 3: Schedule regular veterinary check-ups which include an oral exam. Regular visits to the veterinarian are critical to your pet’s overall health.

STEP 4: Ask your veterinarian for the Porphyromonas vaccine and help protect your pet’s teeth against the key bacteria that may cause periodontitis.

STEP 5: Discuss with your veterinarian the best chew toys for your pet. They may also recommend a dental diet that may help as aids in prevention of periodontitis.

Four Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, which includes gingivitis and periodontitis, is an inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around dog’s teeth. It’s caused by bacteria that accumulate in the mouth, forming soft plaque that later hardens into tartar. If untreated, periodontal disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.

There are four stages of periodontal disease and a brief descriptor of each stage follows:

Stage 1—Gingivitis

Plaque and tarter build-up can lead to an infection causing inflammation of the gums around the dog’s teeth. Gum tissue around the teeth can become inflamed and swollen.

Stage 2—Mild Periodontitis

Inflammation progresses to an infection that starts to destroy gum and bone tissue around the teeth. This can lead to discomfort for the dog, and bad breath may be noticeable.

Stage 3—Moderate Periodontitis

The continuing infection destroys more tissue around the teeth, often causing bleeding of gums and loosening of teeth. The discomfort and pain can affect eating habits and behavior.

Stage 4—Severe Periodontitis

Extensive infection is tearing down even more of the attachment tissues (gum and bone). Teeth are at risk of being lost.

About Periodontal Disease

Many pet owners don’t realize that oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in pets. In fact, statistics show that 85 percent of all dogs have some sort of tooth and gum disease by the time they are just three-years-old.1

Just like in humans, dogs are susceptible to plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to gingivitis and even periodontitis, a chronic form of the disease that can be painful.

Periodontal disease, which includes gingivitis and periodontitis, is an inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around dog’s teeth. Over time, plaque and tartar build-up can lead to inflammation of the gums around the dog’s teeth—gingivitis. 

Periodontitis is a potentially irreversible infection that if left untreated, can result in the destruction of gum and bone and other tissues around the dog’s teeth. In most severe cases, periodontitis can ultimately lead to loss of teeth, fracture of the jawbones, and other serious consequences that can dramatically impact a dog’s quality of life and overall health.

Whenever it is possible, preventing disease is preferable to treating it and in the case of periodontitis, this is especially true. It is a progressive infectious disease that can lead to unhealthy and painful conditions for dogs that may require difficult and costly treatments.

The good news is that periodontal disease can be prevented with a good dental care program including:

•Daily home oral care

•Regular visits to your veterinarian, which include an oral exam

•Veterinary dental cleaning as advised

Dental diets, oral gels or rinses, and chew toys may also help as aids in prevention.

Veterinarians also have a tool available to aid in the prevention of canine periodontitis—the Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin—that gives patients an additional layer of prevention against canine periodontitis. The vaccine was introduced to veterinarians in 2006 and is the first and only vaccine of its kind.

Keeping your dog’s mouth healthy is essential to their health.

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  Beard G, Emily P, Mulligan T, Williams C.  American Animal Hospital Association, Veterinary Dentistry, Course 1, 1989.

Dental Continued..........