Dr. Margaret King

EDMOND — Peridontal disease is an inflammation and either active or inactive destruction of periodontal tissues including the gums (gingival), periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone (bone around the teeth). Unfortunately, two things combine to make this a serious disease in dogs and cats, as well as some humans.

Bacteria are a part of the normal flora of the month, they always are present and they proliferate. The second problem is lack of oral hygiene. Not many dogs, and unfortunately a few humans, brush their teeth daily, floss and rinse to keep the mouth as clean as possible. This falls to owners to do for their pets, and unfortunately in our busy day-to-day routine, brushing the dog’s or cat’s teeth is pretty far down the list.

One study has shown there is a definite link between advanced periodontal disease and microscopic changes in the heart, liver and kidney tissue in dogs. Several studies in humans have linked this condition with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung disorders, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease and premature low-birth-weight babies.

We know periodontal disease significantly increases as our pets age. We also know it tends to be more severe in toy and small-breed dogs as well as cats. Beagles and Greyhounds especially are susceptible in the medium- and large-breed category.

Early on, periodontal disease is seen as red gums or gingivitis. This is reversible in its early stages with a thorough cleaning and antibiotics. If allowed to progress, the red swollen gums begin to ulcerate and bleed when touched. Bacteria are colonizing these areas.

From here it is a downhill pattern of bacterial proliferation resulting in bad breath, and the beginning of problems with the heart, especially the heart valves, liver and kidneys. The inflammation begins to extend into the ligament around the tooth, and eventually into the bone holding the tooth in place. The bone begins to erode away and teeth loosen and eventually fall out.

Many times the jaw teeth abscess and erode through to the outside causing a swelling or open draining tract through the skin under the eye or on the side of the face. This is very, very painful for the pet. Chronic rhinitis or nasal discharge also can occur as teeth become infected.

Optimally, as with any such condition, the best treatment is prevention. While many of us do not have the time or inclination to brush our pet’s teeth, some owners actually will. This is the gold-standard of care.

There luckily are alternative ways to help our pets keep their mouth cleaner such as putting a waxy coating on the gum-tooth junction once weekly to prevent bacteria from attaching.

Various types of mouth washes and rinses are available from your veterinarian that will help your pet have fewer oral bacteria. Fluoride treatment of your pet’s mouth at the time of teeth cleaning by your veterinarian helps. One product can be added to your pet’s drinking water that is odorless and tasteless, but helps kill bacteria with every lap.

Your pet’s teeth will need to be professionally cleaned by your veterinarian starting when your pet is 2-3 years old and done usually annually, though this varies with different animals. Your veterinarian will begin by giving an injection of an antibiotic. This is so the oral bacteria are not spread throughout the body while the teeth are being scaled. The teeth will be scaled, polished, irrigated and fluoride treated. Diseased teeth will be pulled and defects corrected. Your pet will be sent home on antibiotics for a few days following the procedure, and possibly pain medications.

Immediately, after the teeth are cleaned professionally, or as a puppy/kitten begins to first cut adult teeth is the time to get serious with prevention. Home care of your pet’s teeth is essential and there are several special diets that help clean the teeth as the pet eats, various kinds of chew toys, tooth brushes, chicken, ham and malt-flavored pet toothpaste, plaque-prevention gels and now a new vaccine for dogs.

This new vaccine helps prevent one group of bacteria that have been shown to cause a great deal of the periodontal disease. This vaccine may help prevent both periodontitis and tooth loss, but perhaps more importantly, the systemic damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. It is safe in dogs 4 weeks old and older. When initially given it is boosted three weeks later, then given as part of the annual vaccinations.

Since few of us are going to tackle a daily brushing of our dog’s teeth, this vaccine may be a huge part of the answer in helping to prevent the periodontitis and tooth loss. A combination of this and even one of the in-home aids will go a long way toward helping you keep that beloved pet a few healthier.

Ask your veterinarian to discuss the vaccine and other oral care methods sometime in February and try to get your pets’ teeth cleaned and evaluated during National Pet Dental Health Month.