Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats. Eighty percent of our pets greater than 5 years old have the disease in some form. To understand the disease it is crucial to first understand the components of periodontal tissue. Periodontal tisssue is made up of gingivae, cementum, alveolar bone, and the periodontal ligament. Gingivae are the gums. Cementum is the connective tissue covering the roots of the teeth. Alveolar bone are the ridges of jaw bone containing the tooth sockets. The periodontal ligament is a connective tissue structure that attaches tooth to the bone. Periodontal disease includes gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (loss of alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament). Gingivitis is reversible, whereas periodontitis is progressive and irreversible if the disease process is not controlled.
Saliva in the mouths of dogs and cats contain bacteria which produce plaque within 24 hours. Plaque is a soft cream-gray amorphous deposit on the teeth. Plaque will undergo mineralization to form calculus. Calculus is a brown, gray, bulky, brittle, and rough deposit on the teeth-usually affecting the premolars and molars first. Calculus will then lead to gingivitis and hence the disease process is well on its way. It is important to remember that periodontal disease is not just a disease of the mouth. Bacteria can enter the blood stream and cause a low-grade septicemia. Bacteria may also travel to the heart and kidneys, thereby, causing disease in these vital organs.

WHY SO MUCH DENTAL DISEASE?
Dental disease is prevalent among our pets for many reasons. We know genetics play a role. Purebred cats such as Siamsese, Rexes, Abyssinians, and Persians develop problems with their teeth and gums much earlier in life and in greater numbers than a typical domestic short hair cat. Small and toy dog breeds have a much higher incidence than large and giant breeds. Diet plays a role as well. Animals fed commercial diets have a higher incidence of dental disease than those fed raw or natural diets. Animals lacking proper nutrition such as orphans, strays or puppy mill dogs will have the disease early in life. Our senior pets have a greater incidence and animals with systemic disease will be more likely to develop periodontal disease.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR PET?
At Animal Health & Healing we stress feeding all pets a natural diet or perhaps even a raw diet. We see much less periodontal disease in our patients fed these types of diets due to their plaque-retarding effects. This translates into improved overall health for the pet and less frequently required dental cleanings for the pet. Brushing your pet's teeth daily is another very important thing you can do to combat the disease. But, brushing does need to be done daily since plaque will build up in 24 hours-very similar to our own mouths. Anti-plaque gels and rinses containing chlorhexadene are helpful but not as effective as brushing. Oravet gel is a veterinary product that can be applied to your pet's teeth and gumline on a weekly basis after your pet's teeth have been cleaned by your veterinarian. This gel acts a barrier sealent that will protect the teeth from plaque and calculus caused by bacteria in the mouth. There are numerous supplements to help slow periodontal disease. Among them are fish oil, antioxidents, colostrum, Biodent, and Biost.

WHAT CAN YOUR VETERINARIAN DO?
Your vet will recommend a dental prophylaxis to be performed under general anesthesia. This is the best method to fully evaluate the mouth, clean the teeth and subgingival tissue, and extract diseased teeth. Some of our patients at Animal Health & Healing will allow our technicians to hand-scale their teeth. This procedure requires no anesthesia and can be performed on patients with mild dental disease. We will do this every 3-4 months to keep the mouth healthy. Pulse therapy with antibiotics is indicated in severe disease in patients too frail to undergo anesthesia. At Animal Health & Healing our doctors will also consider herbal therapies or homeopathic remedies to help with certain types of periodontal disease. Patients needing oral surgery or more specialized dental care can now be referred to Dr. Robert Ulbricht, a board-certified veterinary dentist practicing at Associated Veterinary Specialists in the St. Louis area.

Dr. Teresa Garden is chief veterinarian and owner of Animal Health & Healing, a full service holistic and conventional veterinary practice in the Maplewood/Richmond Heights area.
AnimalHealthandHealing.com; phone: 314-781-1738