Periodontal disease (problems in the area around the teeth) is one of the most common health problems in companion animals. It is estimated that 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats older than 3 years of age suffer from some level of periodontal disease. Just as in the human mouth, the process begins with plaque, which is made of salivary proteins and bacteria. The bacteria irritate the gum, causing an inflammatory reaction, which is known as gingivitis. If the plaque is removed by toothbrushing, the gingivitis resolves and the gums return to normal. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into "tartar" or "calculus." The calculus provides a rough surface for even more plaque to accumulate. Bad breath may be noted. Inflammation continues in the gums and can also affect any bone in the area, resulting in destruction of the bone around the tooth roots. Eventually, the teeth become loose and may fall out.

In addition to tooth loss, periodontal disease has other, more serious, consequences. The millions of bacteria present in an unhealthy mouth can spread to other parts of the bocy, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, causing disease in these vital organs. In small breed dogs with tiny jawbones, the bone destruction caused by periodontal disease can weaken the jawbone enough to cause a fracture.

The good news is that periodontal disease is completely preventable! Removing the plaque reverses the inflammatory process in the gingiva and restores the gums to health. As we know from our own experience, plaque removal is best achieved by brushing the teeth. Dog and cat teeth are not as close together as ours are, so flossing is not necessary. However, in order to be effective, brushing must be done every day. A soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head is the best tool for removing plaque from your dog’s or cat’s teeth. Special pet toothpaste is available in flavors such as "malt," "poultry," and "seafood" to help your pet enjoy the experience. Human toothpaste can cause stomach upset if pets swallow the toothpaste. Because dogs and cats rarely get caries (cavities), fluoride is not necessary. Feeding special diets such as Hill’s T/D and encouraging chewing activity with toys such as the Dental Kong also help reduce plaque accumulation.

In addition to periodontal disease, cats can develop "resorptive" lesions, which can lead to pain and difficulty eating. These lesions are sometimes called "cavities," but they do not result from bacteria and sugars as people’s cavities do. Cells such as the ones responsible for removing deciduous (baby) tooth roots become activated and start to attack permanent teeth. The result is destruction of large amounts of the tooth and exposure of the nerve, or pulp, inside the tooth. Pain may be evident in behavior such as pawing at the face, dropping food, drooling, or reluctance to eat. The areas of destruction can be seen on careful examination of the teeth and with the use of dental x-rays. Resorptive lesions cannot be filled like human cavities, as the cells continue to work under the filling to destroy the remaining tooth. The current recommendation for affected teeth is extraction. At this time, because we do not know why the cells become activated, there is no known way to prevent resorptive lesions. Regular examinations by your veterinarian will help to detect these lesions early, before they cause significant pain to your cat.

By brushing your pet’s teeth every day and scheduling regular examinations with you veterinarian, you can provide your companion with a lifetime of fresh breath, clean teeth, healthy gums, and strong jawbones. In addition, you will be helping to keep your pet pain free and in overall good health.