For
reasons we do not understand, these problems are most severe
in toy and smaller breeds of dogs and in purebred cats.
Maltese have the highest rate of tooth and gum disease
of all breeds.
This
buildup of calculus causes the gum margins to recedes past
the tooth enamel exposing the softer dentine material that
covers the tooth roots. Dentine is much more porous and
rougher than enamel and so holds infection in place. Once
dentine is exposed periodic tooth care must be done more
frequently and the teeth are eventually lost. This is why
successful tooth care and good dental hygiene needs to
begin early before these processes are advanced.
Other
Causes of Bad Breath
Immature pets that are in the process of shedding their "baby" teeth often
drool and have bad breath. This is a transient problem. Some times it is accompanied
by fever. Brushing these pets' mouths with a dilute baking soda solution gives
them relief and minimizes the odor.
In
older pets, disease of the kidneys and liver often affect
the mouth. These pets are often thin and frail. When I
suspect that a pet with halitosis has major organ failure
I run diagnostic liver enzyme levels as well as blood urea
nitrogen and creatinine levels to check kidney function.
Pets with organ damage require extra special care when
tending to their teeth. Anesthesia during dental prophylaxis
must be administered lightly and with special care. Often
I place these pets on antibiotics after I clean their teeth
as well as on special diets engineered to help failing
organs.
When
I see young cats with strong breaths and dental disease
I screen them for feline leukemia as well as feline immunodifficiency
disease (feline aids). When they are negative for these
diseases, they often have resorptive dental disease in
which deep cavities form in many teeth simultaneously for
no apparent reason. In resorptive dental disease, the roots
of the canine teeth are often exposed. Often incisor teeth
in these cats drop out for no apparent reason. It is unclear
if these cats are born with soft susceptible teeth or if
another undescribed form of dental disease is present.
Cleaning the teeth of cats with resorptive dental disease
is not very effective. Eventually, these teeth need to
be extracted. When this is done these cats go on to lead
happy and healthy lives.
Problems
Associated With Tooth and Gum Disease
As kidney and liver disease can lead to dental disease; dental disease can
lead to disease of the kidney and liver. Tartar accumulation around the teeth
allows harmful bacteria to proliferate. These bacteria occasionally break loose
and enter the pet's circulation. Once in the blood stream, they lodge in crevices
with the kidneys and liver and on the valves of the heart. Liver inflammation
as well as scarred, poorly functioning kidneys are the result of bacteria lodging
in these organs. When the heart valves are attacked by bacteria they shrink
and scar causing blood to flow in the wrong direction. This is why it is common
for dogs and cats with severe dental disease to have heart murmurs. It is not
unusual for these murmurs to go away once the pet's dental problems are treated.
Dogs
and cats with chronic dental problems often drool. This
wetness and the infection associated with tooth infections
may cause the lips and the skin folds surrounding the lips
to become inflamed. Once the teeth are cleaned these problems
resolve.
Treatment
of Bad Breath
1)
Yearly Checkups
Even if you do not give yearly booster vaccinations it is wise to take your
pet to a veterinarian yearly to get a general checkup that includes a dental
exam. The older your pet is the more important early exams become.
2)
Diet
To retard the formation of plaque feed your pet a name brand dry commercial
pet food. The crunchy biscuits help massage gums and wear away tartar. Some
brands, like Friskys, market dental diets engineered to minimize plaque and
massage the gums. Other brands incorporate enzymes to dissolve plaque. One
of the worst things you can do to your pet's teeth is to feed canned diets.
The build up of plaque in pets fed soft, canned diets is very rapid. In a Duke
University study, it was found that feeding cow tracheas (windpipes) with a
little meat attached kept dogs teeth in great condition. Other investigations
in research dog colonies fount that feeding oxtails once a week prevented serious
periodontal disease.
3)
Treats
Feeding chewy treats, bones, rawhide and treats
impregnated with enzymes minimize dental plaque. Nylon bones
work equally as well if the pet accepts them. Dog biscuits
are of no value in preventing tartar buildup.
If
you give your pet real bones be sure they are heavy shin
and shank bones. Dogs and cats do better chewing on bones
if they start when they are puppies and kittens. Do not
give your pet chicken bones.
4)
Brushing teeth
Brushing your pet's teeth is the most important thing you can to maintain healthy
teeth and gums. Use a child's toothbrush and meat or malt favored toothpaste
designed for animals. Use a very small amount of toothpaste - it is the brushing
that is important - and concentrate on the gum margins. . If you start when
your pet is a puppy or kitten the pet will not dislike the procedure. Even
older pets learn to accept the toothbrush.
5)
Mouth wash and sprays
Veterinary hospitals and pet supply out lets sell chlorhexidine sprays and
mouthwashes that contain enzymes that dissolve plaque and help reduce bacteria.
They are not nearly as effective as brushing the teeth but are better than
no home care.
Manual
tartar removal
If your pet has a placid temperament it is not difficult to scrap the tartar
from the teeth and clean under the margins of the gums at home. Many pet professionals
perform excellent tooth cleaning at home eliminating the need to have their
pet anesthetized at a veterinary clinic. Your veterinarian or a pet supply
catalog is a good source for a tartar-scraping tool. The best ones are double
ended, one end suitable for the right and the other for the left hand side
of the mouth.
Ultrasonic
cleaning
Because the whine of the ultrasonic machine is distressing to most animals,
this procedure is performed with general anesthetic or heavy tranquilization.
Since it is often older patients, many of whom have heart disease, that need
the procedure, I keep them under very light anesthetic.
Removal
of diseased teeth
Once the ligaments that fasten teeth to the bone of the jaw have been damaged
by periodontal disease ultrasonic cleaning will not heal them. Mildly loose
teeth can sometimes be preserved by cleaning and several weeks of doxycycline
therapy either with oral tablets or oral patches. Severely loose teeth are
best removed. Dogs and cats do very well with few remaining teeth. Problems
are more in the minds of owners due to fear than to any difficulties experienced
by the pets.
Tooth
restorations
Some veterinarians and dentists specialize in crowns for damaged pet teeth.
Other than for attack dogs, this is a purely cosmetic procedure satisfying
the owner, not the pet. I suggest you spend the money on your pets in other
ways - such as a trips with your pet to the country or the park and contributions
to your local Humane Society.
© Ron
Hines DVM Ph.D. 5/19/2004 - Reprinted by permission |
