THE BCD of Dental Disease

Dental disease is the number one condition afflicting cats and dogs today. It is a disease that I became quite familiar with while working with shelter dogs. In fact, when receiving stray dogs we would use their teeth and gums as an indicator of their age. Were their teeth dirty? White? Worn down? I began to quickly make connections between dogs with diseased, plaque covered teeth and dogs with dull coats, dermatitis, arthritis and external infections. The correlation between periodontal disease, malnutrition and poor health was clear and definite.

In this blog I will talk about the various ways you can keep your dog’s teeth clean and sparkling and why this is vital for his long-term health and vitality.

Gum and dental disease results from a build-up of plaque and bacteria on the surface of the teeth around the gums. The accumulation of plaque and bacteria irritate the gums and leads to infection in the gum tissue and surrounding bone. Prolonged plaque accumulation will cause the formation of a hard tartar called calculus that contributes to the inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and when thick, can only be removed with dental instruments.

Dental and gum disease can lead to foul breath, painful gums and teeth and systemic infections. In large numbers, the bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream (bacterema) putting stress on the kidneys, liver, heart and consequently, the overall immune system. In 1996 a study from Kansas State University found periodontal disease to be associated with chronic internal organ disease of the heart, kidneys and liver. In addition to this, a dog suffering from gingivitis will be reluctant to play with toys, eat or play with other dogs. A painful mouth can reduce their quality of life. Untreated periodontal disease is a common, severe condition that will compromise your dog’s health and happiness if not prevented.

The BCD of Dental Disease

B:  Brushing your dog’s teeth

Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth is universally recognized as the number one method of preventing dental disease in pets. The purpose of brushing is to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. Plaque is soft and easily removed with a brushing action, however after 48 hours this plaque begins turning into dental calculus, which is not so easily brushed away. Regular brushing will inhibit the plaque from building up and reduce the number of harmful bacteria that cause gingivitis. Tooth brushes and canine tooth paste can be purchased at your local pet store, veterinary clinic or online. Look for tooth pastes that contain as many natural ingredients as possible in order to reduce the amount of synthetics being ingested by your dog.

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

C: Chewing

Wolves, the ancestors of dogs, have been cleaning their teeth naturally for thousands of years. The chewing action of eating a raw meaty bone, naturally brushes away plaque, thus preventing the development of tartar. Today’s dog relies on its owner for food and dental care leaving the responsibility to provide chewing resources up to dog guardians. Providing your dog with regular treats to chew is not only preventing dental disease, but the action of chewing also aids in preventing boredom, anxiety and stress.

Raw organic bones are the first thing I suggest when offering your dog something to chew. When working with shelter dogs I would offer them raw bones three times a week and soon enough, the majority of our dogs had healthier gums and teeth. The action of chewing a real bone will brush away plaque and bacteria. In addition, raw bones are a natural source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Please note that I’m talking about raw, fresh (or frozen) bones and not cooked or boiled bones.

All types of chews can be risky to feed and there is no exception for raw bones. Rawhides, a common, cheap dog chew, can be swallowed or choked on. Synthetic products such as greenies, contain large amounts of fake, man-made ingredients (I counted 34 chemically derived products in greenies). The risk involved with chewing a raw bone is that they can splinter and potentially perforate the intestine or stomach. Therefore, the key with raw bone feeding is to choose the right bone for your dog’s breed, size, age and style of chewing. Dogs that are particularly aggressive chewers are susceptible to cracked teeth and the type of bone they are given must be adjusted for this tendency. If your dog is an aggressive chewer anything they chew should be monitored and regular dental check-ups are a smart idea.

How to Choose What Type of Raw Bone to Give Your Dog

For situations where raw bones are not an option, I turn to dehydrated treats for chewing pleasure. These are the extra body parts of animals that are not eaten by humans, but provide a great source of protein and chewing enjoyment for dogs. Common treats these days are tracheas, chicken or duck feet, pizzels and tendons. Look for treats that are dehydrated naturally without the addition of preventatives or chemicals.

D: Diet

What you feed your dog is extremely important in preventing dental disease. A healthy diet will keep your dog’s immune strong which can reduce the amount of bacteria in his mouth. Whole, natural foods are full of real vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats that keep the body and the immune in peak condition.  Fresh foods, such as parsley and grasses, contain high amounts of chlorophyll; an antioxidant that promotes fresh breath.

Dry diets are marketed as being able to clean your dog’s teeth while they eat. In my experience, they do just the opposite. What’s worse, is that doggy parents can think they are ‘brushing their dog’s teeth’ by feeding crunchy kibbles and therefore put less emphasis on brushing. I think of it like this, if I ate kibble twice a day would my teeth be clean? Most importantly, kibble diets are typically high in carbohydrates such as rice, corn and soy products. These grains supply starches and sugars to the bacteria in the mouth and are taxing for the canine body to digest.

Preventing gum and dental disease in your dog is vital to maintaining health and wellness. If tartar build-up persists and accumulates, serious problems can result that can only be treated with dental surgery. Surgery and anesthesia put stress on the vital organs and immune system, however, in the case of severe dental disease, surgery is your only option. When choosing how to keep your dog's teeth pearly white, do your research, ask questions and remember the BCDs.

Your friends and family will thank you for it, as your dog's clean mouth with be fresh and odour free!