Imagine going to bed day after day without brushing your teeth. Toothbrushing is the ultimate in preventative care because it doesn’t necessarily build up new enamel and make teeth stronger, but it prevents oral bacteria from breaking down tooth, gum and jaw structures and tissue. With this in mind, it’s baffling that so few pet parents add toothbrushing to their pets’ grooming routine!

Pets’ teeth should be brushed from the moment their permanent dentition comes in. And if you haven’t brushed your pet’s teeth from the get-go, the next best time to start is now! The statistics should motivate you: up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will develop gingivitis or periodontal disease before their second birthday. Dental problems are not only an old-pet affliction – your pet’s oral bacteria go to work immediately and, if left unchecked, will cause gum inflammation and infection (gingivitis), and will continue to destroy tooth and gum tissue, working its way down to the jawbone in advanced periodontal disease. Pets need daily dental care if this painful condition is to be avoided.

In this article, we’ll look at the symptoms of canine and feline periodontal disease, and explain why it’s dangerous to neglect your pet’s dental health. We’ll cover the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and how you can help your pets by keeping it at bay.

The causes of periodontal disease in dogs and cats

The main cause of periodontal disease in dogs and cats is the sustained absence of dental care: no toothbrushing, oral rinses or dental check-ups at the vet. While well-intentioned, a prescribed dental diet with the occasional supplementation of pet dental treats is not an adequate dental care regimen. Pets’ teeth need to be brushed to remove accumulating bacterial plaque before it can harden into tartar. 

Tartar is the yellow-brown residue that is difficult to remove from your pet’s teeth, especially on the molars. Tartar accumulates above and below the gumline, causing inflammation and subsequent gingivitis. Red, inflamed gums can bleed easily, which is the telltale sign for this condition. If gingivitis is not treated, it worsens when periodontal pockets form, leading to tissue damage, infection and tooth loss – the main symptoms of periodontal disease. 

Periodontal pockets are spaces between the gums and teeth in which food, bacteria and other debris are trapped. Because this organic material is breaking down, it exacerbates any infection and inflammation in the gums. Periodontal pockets are not usually visible from the outside, but there are other noticeable signs of periodontitis: bad breath and red, bleeding gums. If the pet were to undergo a dental treatment (under anaesthetic), the vet would find deep periodontal pockets with obvious symptoms of advanced gum disease. This is very painful to pets who, although quite resilient, would show subtle signs of pain such as turning their heads while chewing carefully, swallowing their food whole, or refusing to eat at all. They would be put off by chew toys they’d seemed to previously enjoy.

Why periodontal disease is dangerous for pets?

Prolonged periodontal disease can lead to infection in the roots of the teeth. Painful and unhealthy, there is also a risk that the infection can get into pets’ bloodstream, which then circulates oral bacteria throughout their body and can cause damage to major organs. Oral bacteria are not naturally found near the heart, liver and kidneys, but when it is carried there in the bloodstream, it can affect these organs by reducing their ability to function properly. This is detrimental to every system in the body and can even reduce the animal’s life expectancy.

Pets with periodontal disease do not live as long as healthy pets, but every pet’s dental health and overall health can be improved with a proactive approach to good dental care. 

Symptoms of periodontal disease in pets

The further the periodontal disease has progressed, the worse the symptoms will be, but generally, the following are symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs and cats:

  • bad breath (halitosis)
  • gum inflammation (gingivitis)
  • visible tartar on the teeth
  • bleeding gums/blood in the saliva
  • receding gums, which indicate a loss of supportive structure around the teeth
  • loose teeth/tooth loss
  • reluctance to engage with chew toys
  • excessive salivation
  • a change in eating behaviours
  • lack of appetite (weight loss as a result)
  • unable to tolerate teeth being brushed
  • pawing at the face/mouth

Pets have a built-in reluctance to show that they are in pain – this absence of a show of weakness helped their ancestors to not become prey in the wild. Sick or injured animals are vulnerable to attack, so they tend to hide their injury or illness. This means that by the time your pet shows any signs of pain, they have already been sick for a long time. If you suspect your pet has dental issues, don’t wait to see the symptoms of pain – they would have suffered a lot already. If you notice their gums are inflamed or they have halitosis, it’s time to get those symptoms checked out at the vet. 

Diagnosing pet dental diseases

The vet’s first step is to perform an oral examination – initially looking for an indication of disease in the breath, as well as colour and tenderness of the gums. To get a closer look below the gumline, the vet will need to place your pet under anaesthetic and each tooth will be closely inspected for damage or infection. They will also use the opportunity to clean out any debris, bacteria and pus from the periodontal pockets (if present), and determine how far the disease has progressed.

If the vet suspects your pet’s periodontal disease has become a systemic issue (affecting the major organs), they will do blood tests and take X-rays to figure out how much the periodontitis has compromised your pet’s heart, liver and/or kidneys. From here, they will devise a treatment plan to restore your pet’s health.

Treating dental disease in pets

Diagnosing and treating dental disease usually occurs in the same procedure while the animal is under anaesthetic. When the vet examines below your pet’s gumline, they may diagnose periodontal disease from the presence of periodontal pockets, loose teeth, compromised tissue and jaw bone. They will use the same procedure to clean out the periodontal pockets, remove teeth, and apply the appropriate medications. They will scale and polish the teeth and treat the pain and infection with pain medication and antibiotics. 

Treating dental disease extends beyond the vet’s office. It’s important to comply with the vet’s recommendation for your pet’s dental cleaning regimen – meaning that if we encourage you to brush your pet’s teeth at home using a pet toothbrush and special dental paste (not human toothpaste) for your pet’s own good, that you’ll take this seriously. Daily dental brushing as well as regular dental check-ups will help to keep your pet’s teeth healthy and stop periodontal disease from returning. 

How to protect your pet from periodontal disease

Your pet’s dental health requires a multi-faceted approach:

Food: High-quality pet nutrition

The right pet food for your pet will give them a strong, healthy foundation for optimal overall health and wellbeing. This means feeding them nutrition that supports their strong immune system, which is necessary to fight off bacteria and disease. However, high-quality nutrition alone won’t do the trick – it must be accompanied by a regular dental health routine that ensures your pet’s teeth are always clean

Small breed dogs, brachycephalic (short-snouted) pets and purebred cats are at risk of developing periodontal disease because their dentition is crowded, and they may have other exacerbating genetic issues. The vet may recommend a dental diet for these breeds, as it will give them the right proteins, vitamins and minerals that their unique constitution requires, delivered in crunchy kibble that is designed to make them chew more and clean their teeth mechanically.

Cleaning: A daily oral health care routine

Brushing pets’ teeth is assumed to be a nearly impossible task that many pet owners shy away from, citing their pets’ intolerance of a pet toothbrush and toothpaste. However, a little consistency (and a lot of positive reinforcement) goes a long way to getting your pet to accept the toothbrush and paste, and to keeping their teeth clean. The alternative is that pets can easily develop dental plaque and gingivitis, which – if left for long enough – can develop into periodontal disease. This is a serious consequence to not following through with consistent toothbrushing, so try to get your puppy or kitten used to toothbrushing, the use of dental gels or water additives and oral sprays as soon as their permanent dentition has come in.

It’s also not impossible to start a dental care routine with an adult pet: they just need a little more positive reinforcement (lots of praise and dental treats) associated with brushing their teeth, to ensure they accept this new element in their routine. Initially they are not going to enjoy it, but using a step-by-step approach – first with a bit of toothpaste on your finger, then gradually introducing a fingertip toothbrush and then a soft pet toothbrush – you can get your pet used to toothbrushing and the daily routine of dental care. 

And if you need any guidance with brushing your pet’s teeth, ask the vet to recommend the best approach according to your pet’s unique needs.

Chewing: Dental chews and toys

Dental chews and nubbly toys can help to keep pets’ teeth clean, but they are only effective as part of a holistic approach to dental health – which includes a kibble diet, daily toothbrushing, dental sprays, gels or rinses, and dental chews. Giving your pet a chew toy will, on its own, not prevent gingivitis and other dental issues. In 2019, a clinical study showed that brushing your pet’s teeth is three times more effective in keeping their teeth clean than merely relying on a dental diet supplemented with dental chews.

Veterinary care: Annual vet check-ups

The purpose of your four-legged friend’s annual vet check-up is to give the vet an opportunity to screen your pet for any disease or health problem that may be developing – this includes dental issues. The vet will examine your pet’s oral health and if they see any problem starting to develop, will recommend a healthy and safe course of action. This may be as simple as improving your pet’s dental care regimen or booking them in for a dental scaling and polishing procedure under anaesthetic. 

Periodontal disease is a painful condition that develops over a prolonged period of time, so an annual check-up will ensure that any decay or deterioration can be stopped in its tracks.

Pet dental care takes a preventative approach to periodontal disease and other dental health issues. Your pet relies on your proactivity with regard to annual vet visits, daily toothbrushing, and the regular use of dental treats and toys, as well as a dental diet if the vet recommends it.

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