It’s a fact.  Most dog owners never take a good look inside their dog’s mouth.  And that’s unfortunate because it is estimated that over 80 percent have significant oral pathology.  Every day veterinarians are presented with patients for routine vaccinations or other minor afflictions whose oral health status is truly cause for alarm.  Upon displaying the dog’s loose teeth, sore and infected gums, and rotting tooth sockets to the dog’s owner, the response usually is one of surprise and shock. 

“Well, she does seem to have bad breath, Doctor” is the usual reply.  “But I’m sure at her age she can’t have anything done now”.  My response is that the continual presence of bacteria and their associated toxins have a daily impact on the dog’s health; anything we can do to change that for the better is appropriate.  Privately I’m thinking “How would you like that pathology going on in your mouth?”

Partly because the mouth is warm, moist and has significant nutrients present for organisms to grow on, the oral cavity of dogs is a perfect incubator for all kinds of bacteria.  Most are normal and natural but once plaque and calculus form on the teeth the normal microbial flora gets out of balance and if pathogenic organisms proliferate, trouble ensues.  Far too often veterinarians discover during the physical exam that their canine subject has a foul odor to the breath as a result of generalized periodontitis.  But foul breath is a mere shadow of a much more insidious disease process.  To help understand the topic of oral hygiene let’s take a look at a few basic definitions below:

ORIGIN OF PERIODONTITIS

Generalized periodontitis seems more common in small breeds of dogs, with Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers leading the pack.  Certain conditions in the mouth such as acid/alkali balance, numbers and types of bacteria, amount of physical abrasion over the teeth surfaces and gingival strength all must be in balance for optimal oral health to be present. David Jones, DVM, Resident in Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, comments on how poor oral hygiene affects the dog. He says “People that have gingivitis and periodontitis report that it is painful.  Unfortunately with the majority of dogs neglect is the norm when it comes to the health of the mouth.  When dogs are presented for a dental cleaning, often they have substantial gingivitis and periodontitis, and almost certainly have been enduring significant discomfort or pain.  Even if the effects of gingivitis and periodontitis in dogs are limited to pain and discomfort it represents an unnecessary deterioration in the quality of life of man’s best friends.”  

Teeth actually need to be exercised!  Pressure on and movement of the teeth help to strengthen the microscopic fibrils, called Sharpeys’ Fibers, that hold the teeth in place in the alveolus (socket).  In the dog that gets plenty of  “dental exercise” by chewing on hard food or such items as rawhide or chew toys, the teeth and surrounding tissues are mildly stressed; this in turn prompts regeneration of healthy new tissues.  Plus, the simultaneous physical abrasion against the teeth scrapes away early plaque that is forming nearly all the time.  Get rid of this early plaque and subsequent calculus simply has no chance to form.  Calculus buildup creates gumline recession and provides pockets for pus accumulation.  Pyorrhea results and foul breath odor is the signal that something is wrong.

If the teeth do little work and there is gum line recession, bacteria begin to invade the space between the tooth and gum.  Eventually, contamination reaches the delicate Sharpeys fibers and the connections between the teeth and bone are broken.  This allows the teeth to loosen, permitting even further organic material and bacteria into the tissues.  A vicious cycle of tissue breakdown and infection can plague the dog the rest of its life.

Back