Why is tooth brushing important for dogs and cats? Just as in people, plaque build-up eventually leads to cement-like tartar and periodontal disease. Bacteria, living in the plaque and tartar along the gum margins of the tooth, cause periodontal disease. These bacteria erode away the gums and eventually break down the ligaments that hold the tooth in place. They can cause painful tooth root abscesses as well as invade the bloodstream. Once in an animal's blood, the bacteria settle out on heart valves causing valvular endocarditis, liver, and kidney disease. Small breeds of dogs are particularly prone to tartar, periodontal disease, and secondary heart disease as they age. Cats more commonly develop kidney disease as a result of poor dental health.
How does one go about brushing a pet's teeth? Using a soft brush is important. Firm brushes tend to erode away the sensitive gums. A narrow, long handled angled brush is helpful. There are also finger brushes designed specifically for small dogs and cats. Enzymatic toothpastes are preferred over fluoride, and come in pet-friendly flavors. Pets don't know to spit out the toothpaste, so fluoride toxicity is a concern. It is helpful to start the habit of daily brushing with young kitten or puppy, the extra attention and pet-friendly toothpaste make this a fun routine for most pets. The outer edges of the upper molars are most apt to collect plaque and tartar. For those of us with too many pets, or too busy of a schedule a dental diet such as Hills' Oral Care may be a more practical option. Dental treats are also available.
Cats have unique dental concerns such as painful resorptive cavities that gradually erode away the tooth, usually starting along the gum margin. According to accredited veterinary dentist Jan Bellows, DVM, "more than 50% of cats over three years old will be affected by tooth resorption." Sometimes the erosion initially involves the crown, and sometimes the roots of the tooth, but eventually the whole tooth disappears. At this time the cause of resorptive lesions is uncertain, veterinary dentist suspect it is initiated by an autoimmune response. Extraction of affected teeth is currently the only treatment for this painful condition.
Cats occasionally get gingivostomatitis, another painful oral disease. Affected cats suffer severe inflammation of their gums making them very red, bleeding, and painful, resulting in hypersalivation, weight loss, and sometimes trouble swallowing. Veterinary dentists suspect this is also an immune mediated disease. A few cats respond to chronic steroid therapy, but for most affected cats the only effective treatment is extracting all of their teeth.
Small breeds of dogs and dogs with squished faces like pugs and bulldogs have unique dental problems due to their mouth not being large enough to hold a full set of teeth. Their teeth are frequently overlapping or rotated, encouraging plaque and bacteria to take hold. Puppy teeth may not always fall out, these retained teeth also encourage plaque build-up. Dogs that chew on sticks, bones, rocks, or hard toys may fracture their teeth. Tooth extraction is not always the preferred treatment for unhealthy or abnormal teeth. Many veterinarians are now practicing advanced dental procedures on pets including root canals on broken teeth, crowns, caps, and even implants.
When you bring your pet in for a yearly exam, your veterinarian will check your pet's teeth, recommend dental care if needed, and discuss a daily brushing routine. Most dental care for pets is not complicated. If dental disease is caught early enough, a basic scaling and polishing will restore their teeth to a healthy state. This always requires anesthesia for pets, so the tartar can be thoroughly removed below the gum line by scaling with special instruments, and then teeth must be polished to smooth the surface of the tooth to slow the build-up of new plaque and tartar. Sometimes antibiotics will be used to treat infections around teeth and prevent the need for extractions. If the infection has eroded away most of the dental ligament holding the tooth into the jaw, causing a painful, loose tooth, extraction is usually inevitable.
Daily brushing your pet's teeth helps slow down the progression of dental disease. You will also become more aware of the health of their teeth, and will be better able to recognize when a problem arises. Bad breath, skipping meals, or a reluctance to chew can indicate a problem and warrants a trip to your vet. Regular veterinary exams help ensure that your pet does not suffer from painful, broken, or diseased teeth, or infected gums. Taking an active role in your pet's dental care will help reduce dental disease, bad breath, and potentially life threatening kidney, heart, and liver disease. Routine dental and oral care will help ensure you pet lives a happy and longer life.
