This blog was published by Caroline Johnson and written by Dawn Prime SQP

Oral hygiene is one thing that is often overlooked by pet owners, despite it being such an important factor in the overall health of their animal. For instance, if a cat or dog has sore gums or toothache, then chances are they are dealing with symptoms of stress and pain. 

These symptoms do not only have health effects but can lead to the animals behaviour changing, such as the pet becoming withdrawn and bad-tempered.

Dogs and cats can struggle with dental disease just as we humans can. Dogs with dental disease are often seen in veterinary practices all over the country, with an estimated 80% of dogs over the age of three years old having dental issues. It is also estimated that 70% of cats over the age of three years old are affected by some dental disease. 

SQPs cannot perform any dental procedures but we can play a very important role in supporting owners through promoting prevention strategies on canine oral health.

Signs of dental disease

There are early behavioural warning signs that a dog or cat could be struggling with dental problems.

These include:

• Stop grooming themselves (this can lead to skin conditions)
• Reluctance to play
• Doesn’t like their face being touched due to potential abscesses or because the area is painful
• Dropping food on the floor
• Struggle to pick items (like toys) up
• Favouring one side of their mouth (when eating)

In order to properly check for dental problems, please advise the customer to carefully lift the lips and check for problems. The key to a successful dental check is to train the pet from a young age so he or she gets used to this form of handling.  

Early warning signs relating to dental problems to look for include:

• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Calculus (tartar build up)
• Reddening of gums, bleeding and loose teeth
• Pus coming from tooth root
• Fur staining caused by excessive saliva, although this is more apparent around the muzzle and the front legs

Bacteria from periodontal disease have easy access to the bloodstream. In a healthy pet, the body’s normal defence mechanism can clear up an infection without too much trouble. However if a pet is immunocompromised, suffering from another illness or has a high bacteria level, then the infection from the teeth can spread through the bloodstream to affect other organs, including the kidney and heart

Teeth problems

Plaque consists of organic matter and makes up to 80% of the film of bacteria that sticks to the pets’ teeth, gums and tongue. Plaque is continuously forming in the mouth. Plaque produces acids and toxins that attack the teeth and gums. If this plaque isn’t removed by oral healthcare then it hardens to form tartar. Overtime this tartar can increase and cause problems, so plaque is the main cause of dental disease in cats and dogs.

Apart from periodontal disease, other problems can occur in cats such as feline resorptive lesions. This is when an area of soft tissue against the tooth changes and effectively eats away at the tooth surface. What is normally seen in this situation is the area of gum overgrowth is seen growing on the crown of the tooth and it looks red, inflamed and painful. Also fractured teeth can be seen, these can be fractured for many reasons including fighting, hunting or a trauma to the face.

Dental problems can show in a companion animal by bad breath, red inflamed gums especially where the gum meets the tooth (known as gingivitis), bleeding gums, tartar on the teeth, excessive salivation and even reluctance to eat. Bad breath is commonly caused by the sulphur gases which are produced by the plaque bacteria. If the cat or dog is showing oral pain then this can make them feel depressed and be reluctant to have their face touched due to a potential abscess and a change in their behaviour may also be apparent.

Stomatitis can also occur which is an inflammation of the mucous lining in the mouth and can be caused by cuts in the mouth, an allergic reaction or a dietary issue. But the most common cause is poor dental hygiene.

Main structures of the tooth

Enamel

The enamel is the hard substance that provides the protective outer structure of the pets tooth. Enamel is laid down before the tooth emerges. Once the permanent tooth is in place, any damage that is done to the enamel cannot be repaired by the body.

Dentine

Dentine is the layer of material that lies immediately underneath the enamel of the tooth. Dentine’s main function is to provide support to the enamel

Pulp

The main functions of the pulp are to have sensory functions and be responsible for the formation of dentine. 

Gingiva/gums

The gum covers the area of the jawbone. The main function is to protect the teeth and their underlying bone structure.

Alveolar bone/jaw

The jaw bone provides support and attachment. It also has a role in providing a pathway for blood and nerve supply to the teeth.

Root

The roots are buried in the bone and serve to anchor the tooth into position.

Deciduous teeth

Puppies and kittens are born with no teeth. Puppies deciduous (“baby” teeth) will normally emerge at eight weeks old, with a kittens deciduous appearing at 3-6 weeks of age. 

These teeth are only present while the puppy and kitten are growing and like humans they will have permanent teeth when older. A puppy will have 28 deciduous teeth and a kitten will have 26 deciduous teeth, with these beginning to shed between 3-8 months of age. At eight months of age, kittens and puppies should have a dental check at a veterinary practice to make sure all deciduous teeth are out.

By the time a puppy is about eight months old, they should have a full set of 42 permanent teeth, and with a kitten it’s around seven months when they should have a full set of 30 permanent teeth. Table one showing the tooth shape and function.

Products for dental hygiene

There are plenty of dental products on the market which can be used to promote and encourage good hygiene in dogs and cats.

As SQPs we can advise clients on the best products for them to use. This includes selling toothpaste and toothbrushes, diets, chews, drinking water additives and seaweed products. 

The diet can be reviewed to specifically help to reduce the amount of plaque accumulation on the teeth. Diets work in a way to promote tooth contact time and in turn help with the mechanical cleaning of the teeth, mainly due to the size and texture of the feed. Using a dental diet is best used as the sole food source Chews are also good (for dogs) to help in dental care whilst helping to keep dogs teeth healthy – and are a great treat.

Drinking water additives can also be beneficial as can seaweed based products. The latter product especially reduces plaque accumulation and improves bad breath – given once daily in the feed, and they now even offer dental bites. Additives are added to the drinking water and can also help to reduce plaque.

However, tooth brushing is still the best method to remove plaque if done on a daily basis. It is important to advise customers not to use their own toothpaste, as these are not suitable for dogs or cats as they contain fluoride; the frothing agents can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

A bristle toothbrush should be used, but initially a very slow finger brush could be used to introduce the concept of brushing teeth to the dog. The customer should take great care that they do not get bitten. Top tip is to give the pet lots of praise and reward as good behaviour; this will also strengthen the bond between pet and owner. SQPs can advise clients on each stage of tooth brushing but manage their expectations and make clear that it isn’t always easy to brush a cat’s teeth!

Step by step guide to brushing teeth

Step 1:

Introduce the toothpaste to the pet. A small amount of toothpaste should be placed on your fingertip and allow the cat or dog to lick the toothpaste, so they can get used to the taste. If access to the pet’s mouth isn’t possible then you could apply the toothpaste on to the top of the paw, again for the pet to lick off.

Step 2:

Place some toothpaste on your finger-tip and, should the pet allow, rub the finger tip on the teeth, simulating a brushing motion.

Step 3:

Fully introduce the toothpaste. Wet the toothbrush with water, add toothpaste and gently brush the canine teeth.

Step 4:

Upon brushing the canine teeth, continue to clean the teeth further back in the mouth. Increase the brushing gradually but be conscious to stop if the cat or dog becomes reactive. Brushing the teeth once daily will give the best results.

Tips to help customers improve oral health

1. Encourage customers to provide a daily dental care routine. This should be started as a puppy or kitten, but older dogs and cats can begin a dental healthcare routine, with tooth brushing being the single most effective method.
2. Encourage customers to make checking their cat or dog’s mouth a vital part of their daily or weekly routine.
3. Provide displays of chews and toys which are recommended as safe for the dog to use to help with dental care. Also advise the customer not to let the dog or cat chew on hard or abrasive objects, as this could damage the teeth.
4. Encourage the customer to get an oral health examination by a veterinary surgeon at least once a year.
5. If the customer shows concerns at any time about their pet’s teeth then they must see a veterinary surgeon.

Before a customer starts any oral healthcare programme, the dog must have their mouth checked by a veterinary surgeon to make ensure there are no problems. 

SQPs act at the forefront to help combat dental problems in dogs. We give our customers advice and support on the best products and how to use them.

Types of teeth and their function

Tooth type	Shape	Function
Incisor	Small, pointed. Single root. Found at front of the jaw	Fine nibbling and cutting meat of the bone
Canine	Curved with large single root. One on each side of the lower and upper jaws. Deeply embedded in the jaw	Holding meat firmly in the mouth
Premolar	Flatter surface with 2-3 roots	Shearing and grinding in association with the teeth in opposing jaw.
Carnassial – the last upper premolar and first lower molar on each side of the mouth	Largest in the jaw with at least 3 roots	Very powerful to cut and shred meat
Molar	Similar to the pre molars but larger with 3 roots	Shearing and grinding.

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