Jenny's Jottings: Dental disease in cats and dogs

Despite daily brushing, many people often need a scale and polish or even a few fillings when they visit the dentist. So why should we be surprised when our pets develop dental disease?

Plaque is a mixture of saliva, food debris and bacteria that can build up rapidly without regular oral care. As time passes, plaque mineralises to form tartar and the tissues around the tooth can become inflamed. Gingivitis is the term used to describe red, inflamed gums.

So what are the signs of dental disease? Usually, bad breath is noticed first and you may see tartar and gingivitis. As the condition worsens, you may notice signs such as bleeding gums, a sore mouth, difficulty eating, abscesses or dribbling. Your pet may then start losing teeth. Just think how painful you would be if your mouth became this diseased! It is also possible that, in severe cases, bacteria from the mouth can enter the blood stream and travel to other organs such as the heart, thus setting up disease in other parts of the body. Good enough reasons to check your pet’s teeth?

An alarming number of animals have gingivitis and tartar build up. This could often be prevented with a combination of brushing, oral hygiene products such as chews, and special diets. If significant tartar build up is present, then a scale and polish under general anaesthetic, potentially with extractions, may be necessary.

Daily brushing to remove plaque is very beneficial. Special animal toothpastes are used, as they do not have to be rinsed from the mouth like human toothpastes. They often have meaty flavours making them more acceptable to pets, and contain enzymes that help to control bacteria. Dry food is better for teeth than wet food, and some diets are designed specifically to help maintain dental health. These are usually available from your vet.

If in any doubt over the condition of your pet’s teeth, the first step is to speak to your veterinary practice. As with our own teeth, if problems are ignored, they can quickly develop into, quite literally, a complete pain!

By Jenny Jones BVM&S MRCVS, vet at Borrajo’s veterinary clinics.