Dental Care
Top 6 ways to minimize dental visits
by Ann Brightman

Nobody likes going to the dentist, including your animal companion. Unfortunately, dental issues are among the most common problems seen by vets – around 75% of dogs and cats over the age of three have some degree of periodontal disease. It all starts with a build-up of bacterial plaque on the teeth that over time hardens into tartar and causes bad breath and reddened, swollen gums, a condition referred to as gingivitis. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a whole host of other problems, including tooth loss and painful infections that can eventually spread to the kidneys, heart and other organs. Severe periodontal disease can also sometimes be a factor in the development of stomatitis, an inflammation of the mouth that results in ulcers on oral tissues.

Even moderate periodontal disease can cause discomfort for your animal – imagine what it feels like to have tender gums or a sore tooth and you have some idea of what a dog or cat with dental troubles might be suffering. If you notice symptoms such as difficulty eating and loss of appetite, drooling, pawing at the mouth, blood in the saliva, irritability and depression, your companion might have periodontal issues. Take a look inside his mouth – inflamed, swollen gums, foul breath and teeth discolored with tartar are a sure sign he has problems.

As common as these issues are, you don’t have to wait till your furry friend shows symptoms before doing something about them. By putting a prevention program in place, regardless of your dog or cat’s age, you can help protect him from the unpleasant effects of periodontal disease for the rest of his life.

1. Healthy eating 101

Diet has a profound impact on your animal’s well being, and this is especially true of his dental health. “I rely on diet first and foremost to prevent periodontal disease,” says veterinarian Dr. Steve Marsden. It’s crucial to feed a healthy diet containing as many fresh, whole ingredients as possible. Avoid low-quality commercial foods. “The best way nutritionally to maintain the best dental health is no processed foods,” says veterinarian Dr. Sharon Doolittle. “Feed real food only, whether cooked or raw, or one of the canned stews on the market, adding fresh meats, veggies and fruits. Processed food leads to degenerative health conditions, including tartar on teeth.”

This is especially true of low-end dry foods. The packaging may claim that crunchy kibbles are good for your animal’s teeth, but in many cases the opposite is true. Poor quality dry foods are often high in grains, which contain sugars and starches. “The bacteria in the mouth that causes periodontal disease is anaerobic, which means it can survive in an environment without oxygen,” says Dr. Marsden. “If you’re not living on oxygen you’re living on sugar, and most commercial pet foods, being grain-based, contain an ample store of sugars.”

If you want to give your animal dry food, choose a quality product made from whole meat ingredients that’s low in grain content. Otherwise, a home-prepared, raw frozen or premium canned diet made from whole, fresh meats is the best way to go. Raw meats, as well as fresh veggies such as carrots, leafy greens, parsley and barley grass, are rich in probiotics and enzymes that help fight the harmful bacteria that leads to gingivitis. Raw meat also gives the animal a chance to rend and tear his food, which helps keep his teeth free of plaque. “It seems to really cut down on the severity and incidence of dental problems,” says Dr. Marsden. Parsley and grass also contain chlorophyll, an antioxidant that helps promote fresh breath.

2. Dem bones

The best natural toothbrush for any dog or cat is a raw meaty bone. “Large bones are great for dental health,” says Dr. Doolittle. “Raw bones have an edge even over raw meat,” adds Dr. Marsden. “They give the jaw a workout and provide extra wear and tear that helps wipe off plaque and break off tartar.”

Not only do bones keep your animal’s teeth and gums clean and strong, but they also provide him with calcium and are yet another excellent source of enzymes and probiotics.

Of course, the key word here is “raw.” Cooked bones should not be fed to your companion as they can easily shatter and splinter and cause choking or internal injury. For cats, a raw chicken neck or back provides the same benefits as a big beef knuckle or marrow bone does for a dog. Again, as long as the chicken bones are raw, they won’t pose a splintering hazard.

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Published in the February/March 2007 issue of Animal Wellness