Based on recent studies if your dog is over the age of 3 it is likely that they have some component of periodontal disease. But there are ways to prevent and improve your dog's health.
I used to be one of those dog owners that hardly brushed my dogs teeth. I used to believe that bones, chews, and vet cleanings were enough. But as I've developed my knowledge and learned more in my journey to do what is best for my dogs I have found that what most of us do simply isn't enough.
Studies show that 80%-90% of adult dogs have developed some form of periodontal problem even if their teeth looks great . Because of this, diagnosis for periodontal issues can be delayed. Plaque is the main problem in dental disease. Plaque is a bacteria slime that we can't see on the teeth. And yes, it is worse than the brown tartar that can build up on your dogs teeth. This is because plaque causes inflammation and damages tissues that results in tooth loss and discomfort.
Prevention is key in not only preventing periodontal disease but improving your dog's health and lifespan.
Dogs Who Receive Frequent Cleaning Live Longer
A study looked at the records of over 2 million dogs and discovered that dogs 2 years of age and up undergoing frequent professional dental cleanings lived longer than those that did not. This also took into account spay/neuter and size variability of dogs.
Periodontal disease has also been linked to heart disease and liver disease.
What are signs a dog may have pain from periodontal disease?
Pawing or rubbing at the mouth, drooling, decreased appetite, taking longer to finish meals, change in eating habits (carrying food away from the bowl and dropping it on the floor before eating it), mouth odor, bleeding from the mouth, reluctance to chew favorite chew toys, aggressive behavior, or withdrawal from the family are all possibilities.
"if you notice any of these things, your dog's disease is already advanced.." – Dog Watch
Professional Cleanings
Work with your veterinarian to schedule regular professional cleanings. Dogs will usually be placed under anesthesia so be sure your veterinarian does appropriate pre-anesthesia exam that may include labs, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, and physical exam. Discuss with your veterinarian the risks and benefits of professional cleaning.
Home Care Cleanings
Prevention at home and starting right away with your young puppy will decrease risks of periodontal disease. Although professional cleanings are important, home cleanings can be more so because recent studies show that after a professional cleaning bacteria come back within a few days to start laying plaque.
"The mainstay of a successful home dental program is daily tooth brushing with a veterinary paste." - Dog Watch
Human toothpaste is not recommended. It contains fluoride and detergents that we spit out and your dog cannot.
Veterinary pastes contain enzymes that break down plaque. It is meant to be left on the teeth to continue working
Brush once a day
What to Use For Cleanings?
There are many options, but the best products are those that have received the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. The VOHC was founded by a group of veterinary dental specialists who set rigid standards and accept only those products with valid research to support their claims.
Here is a link to approved VOHC products as of 09/2022
http://www.vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Dogs.pdf
I will work on reviewing these for future conversation.
Bottom Line
Prevention requires home care and regular professional cleaning. Genetics, age, diet, and oral hygiene all influence health. Periodontal disease is preventable. With new research and education we can allow our dogs to live longer and happier lives.
References:
Dreaded Dental Disease: If your dog is over 3, he likely has periodontal disease. (2022). Dog Watch, 26(10), 4+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A719647576/ITOF?u=wash_main&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e715779c
Urfer, S. R., Wang, M., Yang, M., Lund, E. M., & Lefebvre, S. L. (2019). Risk factors associated with lifespan in pet dogs evaluated in Primary Care Veterinary Hospitals. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 55(3), 130–137. https://doi.org/10.5326/jaaha-ms-6763
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