to our Pet Dental Center

Westonka Animal Hospital & Laser Surgery Center 4861 Shoreline Drive Mound, MN 55364 Phone: (952) 472-4900

Periodontal or "Gum" Disease

How Common Is Periodontal Disease or Gum Disease In Pets?
The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three and should be treated. In fact, oral disease is the most common health problem treated in small animal clinics today.

What Is Periodontal or Gum Disease?
Infection and inflammation of the gums and supporting tissues of the teeth are caused by bacteria present in plaque and calculus (tartar). The problem begins when plaque and calculus are allowed to build up on a pet's teeth, especially below the gumline. These are Stages 1 and 2 of periodontal disease. Eventually, as is seen in Stages 3 and 4, bone loss occurs.
Periodontal inflammation and bone loss around teeth are painful to your pet.

What Are The Symptoms of Gum Disease? Bad breath, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, receding gums, loosening and the eventual loss of teeth are characteristic of the condition. As the pain and inflammation worsen, eventually the pet prefers to eat soft food rather than dry food. Sometimes pets will try to pick up food in their mouth when they are hungry, then drop the food again as it is too painful to hold in their mouth.

Heavy calculus or tarter buildup

Gum Disease Does More Damage Than Simply Causing Bad Breath
The bacteria that lurk in a pet’s mouth may be the cause of bad breath and more. Bacteria accumulation can lead to oral disease and increase the risk for disease in other organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, according to research presented at a recent conference on Companion Animal Oral Health.

In summary, there is an association between the severity of gum disease and changes in internal organs of the body.

What Should I Look For When I Want Great Dental Care For My Pet?
Unfortunately, there are major differences as to how various clinics will clean, diagnose, treat, and prevent gum disease. Slow down the progression of painful periodontal disease by making sure your pet is having a high quality professional teeth cleaning visit.
Learn what to look for when searching for a quality teeth cleaning care for your pet. We perform a twelve step professional teeth cleaning visit recommended by a board certified veterinary dentist that we feel will provide the level of care your pet needs and deserves. You owe it to your pet to learn what our "Twelve Steps of a Professional Teeth Cleaning Visit" are.

What Care Can I Provide At Home To Slow The Progression of Gum Disease?
Daily home care is essential to your pet's dental health, just as it is for you. The home care is not only easier than you may think, it actually can be fun for you and your pet ! The twelfth step of our 12 Step Teeth Cleaning Visit, is a visit with one of our dental nurses who will help to customize a home care program for you and your pet. Using such techniques as gradual introduction and a reward system, many pets will not only accept home dental care, they look forward to it, anticipate it once it is a part of their daily routine.
Brushing the teeth daily is the best home care you could provide. However, we acknowledge and appreciate that some pets are not willing to have their teeth brushed despite a gradual introduction and some owners have lifestyles that just don't allow them to take the time to brush the teeth daily. That is why we have other options available to you, such as

Can I Really Brush My Pet's Teeth?
Yes you can !! This is a relatively new idea for many pet owners, but not only can it be done, many times it is fun to do. Once a daily routine is established your pet will eagerly anticipate his/her extra time with you.

How To Brush Your Pet's Teeth:
1. Select a toothpaste - The best pet toothpastes contain dual enzymes (not just one enzyme) that help control plaque. Try to avoid toothpastes with baking soda, detergents, or salt sometimes found in human pastes. Fluoride may be incorporated to help control bacteria and strengthen the enamel.
   
2. Begin gradually and be consistant.
   On the first day all you need to do is get your dog or cat to taste the toothpaste. Use an excited voice and "pump them up" for their tooth brushing experience. It should be FUN and yummy! After they have tasted the toothpaste (if they don't voluntarily lick the toothpaste off your finger - tap the outside of their mouth with toothpaste). 99% of them like the taste once they have experienced it. After they lick the toothpaste, PRAISE them. Remember, it needs to be a positive experience for both of you.
   ^***Helpful Hint: Choose the same time each day (like in the morning or evening when you brush your own teeth). It should become part of your pet's daily routine. Eventually, your pet may come running to you when they know it's time for their dental "treat"
3. On the second day, start to rub the incisors with your finger coated with toothpaste.
4. Each day after that, spend more time massaging of the teeth and gums. Don't forget to get them excited for their dental care and praise them afterward.
5. Once they easily allow your finger in their mouth, you can graduate to using the finger brush. Again, remember each training session to praise them, praise them, praise them !
   
6. Finally they can graduate to the dog or cat toothbrushes. The finger brush is a good beginner tool - but they should step up to the regular toothbrush as it has a more abrasive surface. Eventually (not at first though) your goal is to angle the bristles towards the gumline, moving in a circular motion. Your goal is to remove the invisible plaque at the gumline. Again, after each session, praise, praise, praise.
   ^***Helpful Hint: Rather than placing the paste on top of the brush try to place it between the bristles. This allows the paste to spend the most time next to the teeth.

Proper Alignment Of Bristles Against Tooth Surface

A Few Gum Disease Facts To Ponder

• Dogs and cats accumulate calculus 5 times faster than humans - imagine yourself going 5 days without brushing your teeth. That is what your pet's mouth is like if you don't brush their teeth for a day.
• 1 mg of dental plaque contains over 1 trillion bacteria !
• Many people think they don't need to brush their pet's teeth because they have regular teeth cleanings done on their pets - imagine going to your own dentist, having your teeth cleaned, then deciding not to brush because you know you just get them cleaned again in 4 years !
• Always use toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for pets. Human toothpaste is too foamy and sweet. Human were not meant to ingest their toothpaste. Just try to teach your dog or cat to spit !

Other Pet Dentistry Online Resources
• Our Twelve Steps To A Professional Teeth Cleaning Visit
• All Pets Dental
• All Pets Dental - Twelve Steps To A Professional Dental Visit
• Hill's Pet Dental Center
• Prescription Diet Canine T/D
• Prescription Diet Feline T/D
• American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians