Teeth brushing, a stroke of health.
Bad breath is one reason to brush your pet's teeth. Animals including dogs, cats, or horses benefit from some level of dental hygiene. It will take training for the animal to accept brushing. I do not advocate brushing teeth in antisocial animals that would cause physical damage to owners or handlers. The training starts early. With a puppy the sequencing phrase sit, stay brush helps you understand the concept. Anything you want an old dog to do you start as a pup. Horses need their teeth floated (filed) sharp edges of the teeth are physically filed off to prevent oral ulcers, impacted food and some malocclusions. Dogs and cats benefit from the mechanical act of brushing to maintain teeth and gums healthy.The mouth is an exceptional growth environment for bacteria. Conditions are ideal, warm, moist, and it has conveyer delivering a readily adaptable food supply coming in. Bad breath, or halitosis, is caused by a build up of bacteria in your mouth. At first a smear layer sometimes referred to as "biofilm" is physically present. Biofilm not removed progresses to a brown tartar or calculus. This buildup of concretions is a natural place for bacteria to harbor. Bacteria, brown and bad all begin with "B". Brushing or use of dental oral cleansing actions mimic brushing, such as chewing on approved dental devices help reduce and remove tartar. Humans brushing on a regular basis will diminish bacteria and lessen the chances of significant dental disease or systemic bacterial infections in the body. Are you seeing the same parallel about brushing I am?Pets do not get the same oral treatment as humans. People just don't know it is that simple and that important. Tartar and plaque accumulate on the crowns causing periodontal disease with inflammation of the gums around the teeth. The toy breeds dogs are very prone to this. Smaller breed dogs have the same number of teeth in their mouth as larger breeds. Toys have less bone to support teeth, less space to furnish nutrients and house them. Teeth are crowded with more rapid accumulation of tartar and plaque. Older dogs are at higher risk of developing inflammation around the teeth as support tissues get tired with age. Brushing your pet's teeth is the gold standard for dental care. Not all dogs or cats are going to sit there while you scrub away. There is no substitute for a good toothbrush and regular use. There are other methods to help reduce some of the tartar buildup.Some diets are specifically formulated as dental helpful diets for dogs and cats. There is a large amount of fiber built into the kibble. This matrix keeps the food together long enough to scrape some of the plaque off of teeth. Iams diets have a hexamethaphosphate (HMP) crystals applied to kibble a diet that does significantly reduce build up.
Dental chews help improve dental health. In addition to dental applications they allow dogs an outlet for their instinct to chew. Use caution in selection of a dental chew items for your pet. Extremely hard objects such as cow hooves and over-zealous chewing of hard chew toys result in painful dental "slab" fractures and chewing large chunks off of toys will lead to intestinal problems. Monitor your pets when giving chew treats. Chunks are cheaper to throw away than to have surgically removed.
Chew treats with plaque-reducing additives impregnated or as a coating have a reasonable efficacy. These additives work on a contact time basis. The longer contact time with a tooth, the better they work. Oral rinses can be beneficial. There are veterinary rinses sold over the counter. Oxyfresh makes a water additive extends the time between anesthesias needed for a surgical dental procedure. Use caution when selecting a rinse as xylitol an ingredient in some rinses can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, in animals. Xylitol is also found in "sugarless" gums like Orbit or Extra. These can be fatal in small dogs.When evaluating an oral health additive for your pet, look for the "VOHC", label which stands for Veterinary Oral Health Council. Products with this "seal" have been tested and perform as advertised. I know members on this council and they are strong veterinary animal oral advocates. This council protects consumers from non-tested products and products where efficacy may not be proven.Human studies show brushing teeth with toothpaste or using water and brushing gave a three percent increase in plaque removal. It matters that you brush. Animal dentifrice designed and produced for animals works better as they do not spit and rinse out the fluoride. There is a potential for fluoride toxicosis with fluoride containing products. Animals really like the animal flavored toothpaste. The enjoyment of the teeth brushing process is enhanced if you bait the trap correctly. If the critter fights brushing some one may get hurt. We do create good habits by positively rewarding the behavior we want replicated. Brushing pets' teeth can add 1/3 more quality life. This equates to four to five more years on pets. When humans started once a day brushing they added 20 years to their life expectancy. This is the same ratio of approximately one third I mentioned. Brushing teeth accounts for a longer healthier life and a sweeter smelling mouth. The bacteria on teeth and calculus have been shown to cause heart valve endocarditis, kidney disease, liver problems, and strong indication to some forms of spinal arthritis and bone infections. Brushing teeth extends love stories; it is that simple and that important.
For more information on dental health for your pet, contact your veterinarian.
Mike Sweet, DVM
Milan Veterinary Clinic
140 W Main St
Milan, MI 48160
734-439-1112