The Bow-Wow on Dental Disease
by Jane Bicks DVM

We're on the brink of the holiday season. More than any time of year, this is when pets get lifted from stores and liberated from the cages of local shelters across America. There are many things you need to know when bringing home a new pet, whether it’s a fledgling or an old timer. This month, we’ll focus on an important aspect of pet health … our pets' mouths. It's time to get hip to what's going on with the teeth and gums of the animal world. Periodontal disease in particular is quite common, especially in older pets, though it is not the only dental problem animals face. Contrary to popular belief, dental disease doesn't just affect our elder pets; puppies and kittens, too, have suffering mouths. Dental disease is a combination of genetics and lack of education on the part of pet owners. This month, the HealthyPetNet News will focus on different types of dental disease, what to look out for and ways to help care for our pets' marvelous mouths. 

The Most Common Dental Dog and Cat-astrophes

Baby Teeth

Pet owners are notorious for getting into the habit of dental hygiene midway through their pets' time on this earth. Dental hygiene is a hard practice to break into late in the game … not only for owners, but for the pets, especially cats. Dental hygiene should start at the very beginning, even when teeth look as tiny as thorns. 

By 6-8 weeks of age, your dog’s or cat's baby teeth should already be a part of the mouth's landscape. Baby teeth are incredibly fragile. Not only are they thin, but they are not strongly anchored into the gum because the bones there are not developed enough. Combined with that, younger pets are especially awkward as they're still learning to navigate their limbs and understand their bodies' limitations. Much of the traumatic damage they do to their teeth can be self-inflicted … falling or bumping into doors and walls and chewing hard objects. Believe it or not, broken teeth are not always that obvious. They can often result in a gum boil, an infection that manifests in the form of a draining abscess. If any gum boils are detected, a veterinarian would immediately extract any broken teeth. 

The Eruption of Adult Teeth

By 16-24 weeks of age, baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth. This isn't always a smooth transition. The second most common dental problem that occurs in young pets is malocclusion or improper eruption of adult teeth. There are two major reasons why this occurs: 1) trauma to the baby teeth (especially by harsh pulling), which we already mentioned 2) persistent baby teeth that refuse to drop from the gum. The budding adult tooth is supposed to erupt directly under the root of the baby tooth, causing it to break down and allow the adult tooth to push it out. Sometimes, the adult tooth is not directly positioned under the baby tooth, causing the permanent tooth to grow alongside the baby tooth. This malpositioning causes trauma to the soft tissue, subsequent infection and plenty of pain. Food also gets trapped between the two teeth and it’s extremely hard to get out, which can lead to gum infections. Any double presence of teeth should be corrected immediately by a veterinarian. If you see an adult tooth growing alongside a baby tooth, don't just wait around to see if the baby tooth drops out. All you'll be awaiting for is disaster. 
 

Periodontal Disease

Okay, so your pet is now officially an adult, but you're not out of the woods yet. Periodontal disease is the number one disease that affects our pets' mouths after they turn two years of age. Eighty-five percent of dogs two years of age and older have periodontal disease. It's much more insidious than the other diseases because it affects more than just the teeth and soft tissue. It can destroy all of the supporting structures of the mouth. The infection can also seep into the bloodstream affecting other parts of the body and making a pet ill. 

Bad breath is one of the most obvious indicators that something is wrong. Unfortunately, most pet owners are used to bad doggy or kitty breath when, in fact, bad breath is simply not normal. In the earlier stages of periodontal disease, your veterinarian can reverse the damage by giving the teeth a deep cleaning. But, because we've erroneously come to almost expect bad breath, the damage continues.

Cat Cavities

This is a very common oral disease that occurs in 60% of cats. Cat cavities are also known as Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions or FORLS. Normally, lesions start forming after the age of two. Here’s what usually happens … these curious tooth-eating cells called odontoclasts start attacking the teeth at the gum line and then work their way up. The tooth then develops a cavity that is incredibly painful. If this goes untreated, the tooth's crown snaps off exposing the roots of the tooth to the world, causing irritation and drainage. The gum around that area then becomes so swollen that it starts to take over tooth territory. 
Scientists still don't know what causes these tooth-eating odontoclasts. However, there is a higher incidence of cat cavities in cats with moderate periodontal disease. Siamese and oriental cats also have a higher propensity to get the disease. If teeth are severely damaged, they need to be surgically removed to encourage proper healing. The best recommendation vets can give to pet owners for prevention is to brush their cat's teeth daily. 

Doing Your Part 

Though some oral diseases such as cat cavities are rather mysterious, others aren't mysterious at all and simply come from neglect. First and foremost, aside from avoiding dangerous chew toys that can break the teeth, it's important to check your pet's mouth daily for signs of injury and improperly erupting teeth. Don't forget that many animals enjoy having their mouths stroked. Turn it into a game of some sort to make it easier for yourself and for them. Aside from this, proper care doesn't only entail being observant and taking your pet to the vet at the slightest provocation, it also means rolling up your sleeves and telling your pet to say "aaaah." 

Brushing

Let's put it this way, we brush our own teeth several times a day to avoid cavities, plaque, bad breath and gingivitis. Is it too much to brush our pets' teeth a few times a week? Many of us refuse to brush our pets’ teeth even once a week. Just think of the condition our mouths would be in if we didn't brush our teeth regularly. The same goes for our pets. The earlier you get into the practice of brushing, the better-- especially for our finicky cats. Use a toothbrush designed for pets with very soft bristles to avoid damaging their delicate gum tissue. For cats in particular, the finger toothbrush is a great alternative. It's a device that fits over your finger and is easy to navigate through a cat's mouth. Refrain from using human or baking soda toothpaste because it can upset their stomachs. There are beef and poultry-flavored toothpastes out there that animals love.

Treats

We've learned that sticks, stones and indestructible bones can do a real number on our pets' mouths. A great alternative for pets is giving them crunchy treats. The act of chewing is very natural and not to mention therapeutic for dogs. It can relieve frustration, anxiety, stress and boredom. Crunchy treats work on different levels. Crunchy treats produce saliva, a natural cleaner of teeth. They have a naturally abrasive action. We at HealthyPetNet have a variety of treats that are wonderful for the oral health of our dogs. Here, we will highlight three of them. 

Gourmet Dental Treats

When it comes to teeth and gums, these are popular treats. These treats, unlike any other, contain a patented plaque fighting ingredient found in human oral hygiene products. It works by building a coating around the teeth that discourages the buildup of plaque. 

Our Gourmet Dental Treats also contain calcium and phosphorous, which are good for strong bones and teeth. We've also added parsley, an herb rich in chlorophyll that has a natural power to freshen breath. Parsley has many other health benefits, containing vitamins A, B C and K. 
 

Some of the ingredients aside from the ones just mentioned include rolled oats, honey, brown rice, flax seed meal, peanut butter and eggs. These treats are not only useful, but delicious. In a university study, dogs chose our Gourmet Dental Treats 4 to 1 over the leading brand of dog treat. The best part about it is they don't even know it's good for them!

PorkHide Dog Bones


These PorkHide Dog Bones are made of pure porkhide and nothing else. They are 100% edible but they are durable, meant to last. The more they are in the mouth, the more saliva … plus they help clean the teeth because the bone rubs along the teeth and gums. They are digestible, safe and yummy! Perfect for jubilant chewers, they are also good for dogs that are prone to boredom. 

While chomping on these robust treats, your dog will experience prolonged enjoyment while unknowingly cleaning his teeth. The bones come in two different sizes: one size that's perfect for small to medium sized dogs and one that works for medium to large sized dogs. The shape of the bones fit inside of the mouth perfectly and the rounded edges are easy on the gums.

Life's Abundance Edible Dog Bones

Back by popular demand, our Edible Dog Bones are a delicious blend of rice, flour, vegetable fiber and chicken liver. The texture is crunchy and the ends rounded to promote healthy teeth and gums. Real bones can splinter and get lodged in the throat or the digestive system. They also have a tendency to wear down tooth enamel. Our edible bones are exact replicas of real bones except they taste much better. We know that in the end, the taste is all that dogs care about. The bacon flavor of these treats is irresistible. Plus, for your convenience, we have new packaging with a convenient reclosable zipper to help keep them fresher longer. These treats also come in two different sizes to cater to any size dog. 

Question for you - When you visit your dentist, have you ever seen any pet dental health products displayed in his office?   Wouldn't it be neat if your dentist showed that he cared about our companion's dental health as much as he does your own?  I would like your help!  The next time you visit your dentist (or just pick up the phone and call him today), ask him or her whether they would be interested in offering holistic dental care products for pets right in their office.  If the answer is yes, please contact us immediately, and we will explain to you how you can get a free referral gift!