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How to prevent your pet's dental disordersQUESTION, Nov 16, 2012 (Gulf Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- My eight-year-old dog Cassy seems to be constantly having dental problems. Can you please outline dental disorders in dogs and ways to prevent them Answer: Dental disorders in dogs are similar to those in humans. Appropriate dental care, including preventive methods such as tooth brushing, can keep your pet's gums and teeth healthy. Gum disease is usually caused by accumulation of bacteria (plaque) on the gums. Lack of proper oral hygiene, breed, genetics, age and diet all play a contributing factor towards gum disease. As bacterial load on the gum line increases, the bacterial waste products such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, acids and other compounds increasingly damage the tissues surrounding the teeth. There are two major forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. In gingivitis, the gums become inflamed because of the bacterial plaque but the ligaments and bone are not yet affected. The gums change colour from light pink to red or purple and the edges of the gum are seen swollen. Gingivitis is usually noticed at about two years of age but improves if treated. It can usually be treated by thorough professional dental cleaning. In some cases, a more extensive dental cleaning is required. When the cleaning is completed, the veterinarian may apply a sealant to the teeth to prevent further bacterial build-up and improve healing. Periodontitis is a condition where there is more severe tissue damage to the gums, ligaments and bone. It is usually seen after years of development of plaque, tartar and gingivitis. It is irreversible and results in permanent loss of tooth support. Periodontitis usually begins at four to six years of age and if untreated, progresses to tooth loss. Small breeds of dogs usually experience more problems with periodontitis than large-breed dogs. Dogs that have a regular diet of hard food such as kibbles tend to show lesser periodontal problems than those who are consistently on soft diet. Back teeth are most often affected than the front teeth. The upper teeth are usually more affected than the lower teeth. Oral hygiene methods such as tooth brushing for pets must be undertaken by owners regularly. Alternately, as the pet ages, a more frequent dental clean-up (about once a year) is recommended. * Dr Hansel Geo is a veterinary consultant and surgeon for the BSPCA. Please send questions to [email protected]. ___ (c)2012 the Gulf Daily News (Manama, Bahrain) Visit the Gulf Daily News (Manama, Bahrain) at www.gulf-daily-news.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |