Article By Dr. Stan Kunin

This month we discuss one of the most commonly overlooked areas of a dog's health care is their mouth. It has been reported that 80% of canine oral diseases occur by the age of three. These diseases range from gingivitis (inflammation of the gum), to abscessed teeth, to tumors in the oral cavity.

Many people tend to not pay attention to their dog's mouth until there is a problem, either from halitosis (bad breath) or because they notice that their dog is having difficulty eating. Periodontal diseases are infections of the tissue around the teeth. This starts off as a bacterial film (plaque) which then leads to calculus or tartar. Plaque then spreads to the gums and causes gingivitis, which causes the gums to become swollen and red. This, in turn, causes the surrounding tissue, which holds the teeth, to break down, making the teeth loose. In some cases, however, the teeth don't loosen, but the infection spreads to the outside of the face and causes a swelling below the eyes, on the nose, or below the jaw.

Canine Oral Care

Many people don't realize how fast the teeth become "dirty" or infected, especially if the teeth have been recently cleaned professionally. It's easier to understand, if you know that for every one month of a dog's life, it is equivalent to four human months. Most people go to their dentist for teeth cleaning every 6 months. That would mean the dog's teeth should be cleaned approximately every 4-6 weeks. This is very impractical especially since most dogs require anesthesia for a thorough teeth cleaning.

There are ways to minimize bad teeth. The best way is to have the dog's mouth checked periodically at home and at the veterinary office. Although it has been said that dry food will help keep the teeth clean, this is a myth. This would be true if dogs chewed their food thoroughly. The problem is though, that many dogs don't chew their food extensively, but instead they tend to swallow their kibble whole. In the wild, coyotes, wolves, and other feral canines have to gnaw the meat off of the animal's bone. The grinding action helps to keep their teeth clean. Our domesticated dogs don't have a carcass to chew on. Instead, substitutes are provided, such as chew toys, greenies, and raw or frozen knuckle bones. These can be purchased at a butcher shop or pet store. However, this does not offer the same type of "cleaning" because domesticated dogs have become more fragile through the domesticated breeding process. There are dangers in chewing on these items. They can fracture teeth, they can lead to the possibility of an internal obstruction (throat, bowel, etc.) if the toy is swallowed whole, or if a piece is broken off too easily it and become lodged inside the digestive tract, or the dog may simply not have the ability to digest the toy.

Although many people would prefer that their dog not be anesthetized for a dental procedure, it is the most effective way to clean their teeth. It is true that there are some very cooperative dogs that can have this done without anesthesia, but it can never be done as thoroughly. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to clean the teeth completely without anesthesia. This is especially true in small dogs. A small dog's mouth has limited space, and maneuvering dental equipment while the dog is awake is difficult and it cannot provide an adequate cleaning. Also, smaller dogs will almost always lose teeth. This is due to the fact that they have limited jaw space for the 42 teeth they should have by adulthood. In fact, many of them may have even more than 42 teeth because often baby teeth can fail to fall out. These baby teeth must then be extracted to help prevent future problems when the permanent teeth appear. This is especially true with canine or fang teeth. No matter how many times a small dog's teeth are cleaned, even by the veterinarian, genetics will, more likely than not, win out in the end. For example, a Maltese or Chihuahua will not keep its intended 42 teeth throughout its life, like a larger dog's will. A veterinarian's job is to help minimize the loss of teeth whether in a small or large dog.

It is strongly recommended that your veterinarian be in charge of the dogs teeth cleaning. Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns and ask if the animal's teeth can be cleaned without general anesthesia. There will be a few cases where the teeth can be cleaned with a "twilight" anesthesia or none at all. Follow your veterinarian's advice and trust that he/she will do what's best for your dog. The veterinarian and the RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) are trained and qualified to assess the mouth and check for any underlying or additional diseases.

Bad teeth can cause more problems and contribute to the disease of some organs such as the heart, kidney and liver. The opposite can occur as well, when an underlying disease, malnutrition, or other issues can cause oral problems. Veterinarians can perform pre-dental work-ups which include a blood test, chest x-ray, and an EKG to see if the dog is a candidate for anesthesia or not. If a problem appears, or if there is a complication, a consult with a board certified veterinary internist and veterinary dentist would be indicated.

Getting an early start in the dog's life to make it easier for dental examinations and teeth cleaning is the key. Get the dog used to having their mouth worked on by opening their mouth daily for 15-30 seconds, use a washcloth which is wrapped around your finger to wipe the teeth, and eventually, use a special dog's toothbrush/toothpaste. Many dogs will still resist this, so it may not be possible to clean their teeth without the help of a veterinary office. Even if the owner can do a great job in this manner, a dog's teeth will still get dirty quickly, albeit not as dirty as if the teeth are ignored completely. Although there are also supplements that can be either wiped on the teeth directly or placed in food and water to help minimize tartar and bad breath, they have only been proven effective in a very small population of dogs.

Dogs can live longer and healthier lives if their mouths are taken care of regularly and properly.

About Dr. Stan Kunin

Stan Kunin DVM graduated from UC Davis in 1978 and has had his own practice in Woodland Hills, California since 1986. Dr. Kunin is a special veterinarian who was born 80% deaf, but the weakness in his hearing has helped to give him a 6th sense about animal care and the wellbeing of his patients.

In a regular series of articles for the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, Dr. Kunin shares his thoughts, opinions and advice on animal matters.