Effect of a new dental hygiene chew on periodontal health in dogs

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of a new dental hygiene chew on periodontal health in the dog. The textural properties of this chew are different from previously tested dental hygiene products. The accumulation of dental deposits, development of oral malodor, and development of gingivitis were assessed in two groups of dogs; one fed a dry diet only, and the other fed the same dry diet supplemented by the daily addition of the new dental hygiene chew. Daily addition of the chew to the dry diet was effective in reducing plaque and calculus accumulation on the tooth surfaces, and also reduced the severity of gingivitis and oral malodor as compared to feeding the dry diet only.     

Effects of a dental food on plaque accumulation and gingival health in dogs

Recent studies have demonstrated that typical dry dog foods have significantly less efficacy in reducing accumulation of dental substrates compared to a specifically formulated and processed dental food. This study compared the effects of a typical dry food and a dental food on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in dogs during a 6-month period. Daily feeding of the dental food significantly reduced plaque and gingivitis by 39% and 36%, respectively, compared with daily feeding of the typical dry food. Feeding a food that decreases plaque accumulation and reduces gingivitis contributes to canine oral health maintenance.     

Effective periodontal disease control using dental hygiene chews

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a newly developed dental hygiene chew for dogs, with and without a natural antimicrobial additive, compared with a reference diet. Efficacy was determined by measuring the severity of gingivitis and the accumulation of dental plaque and calculus in dogs after 4-weeks of being fed the different dietary regimens. Dogs fed a single daily dental chew had significantly less gingivitis (P = 0. 02), plaque (P = 0. 0004), and calculus (P = 0.0001) compared with dogs in the control group that were fed an identical diet but received no chews. The inclusion of the antimicrobial agent did not improve the efficacy of the product. The dental hygiene chews tested in this study have potential to help reduce the incidence of periodontal disease in dogs.     

Effect on canine oral health of adding chlorhexidine to a dental hygiene chew

A study to compare the effect of a dental hygiene chew with or without 0.2% chlorhexidine on the development of gingivitis and the accumulation of dental deposits was performed using 11 small dogs. Confirming previous data, the daily addition of a standard chew to a dry diet resulted in significantly less gingivitis and calculus after 3 weeks compared with feeding the dry diet alone. Addition of chlorhexidine to the chew made no difference to the degree of gingivitis or the amount of calculus that accumulated, but did result in significantly less plaque accumulation after 3 weeks. The abrasiveness of the chew, rather than the antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine, is likely to have contributed the most to the maintenance of oral health in dogs with mild gingivitis.     

Benefits of a 'dental hygiene chew' on the periodontal health of cats

A study was undertaken to determine the clinical efficacy of a chew designed to improve dental hygiene in the cat. The accumulation of dental deposits (plaque and calculus) and the effect on gingival inflammation were assessed in 15 client-owned cats while on two different regimens. In the first leg of the study, the cats were fed a nutritionally complete dry diet supplemented with one dental hygiene chew. In the second leg of the study, the same cats were fed only the nutritionally complete diet. This study demonstrated that the daily addition of the chew to the dry diet resulted in significantly less plaque and calculus accumulation on tooth surfaces. It was our experience that daily feeding of the chew helped maintain dental hygiene in cats; however, regular professional therapy is still indicated.     

Effectiveness of a vegetable dental chew on periodontal disease parameters in toy breed dogs

Sixteen toy breed dogs completed a parallel, 70-day two-period, cross-over design clinical study to determine the effect of a vegetable dental chew on gingivitis, halitosis, plaque, and calculus accumulations. The dogs were randomly assigned into two groups. During one study period the dogs were fed a non-dental dry diet only and during the second study period were fed the same dry diet supplemented by the daily addition of a vegetable dental chew. Daily administration of the dental chew was shown to reduce halitosis, as well as, significantly reduce gingivitis, plaque and calculus accumulation and therefore may play a significant role in the improvement of canine oral health over the long-term.     

Relationship between diet, dental calculus and periodontal disease in domestic and feral cats in Australia

Objective To compare the dental calculus scores and prevalence of periodontal disease in domestic cats eating commercially available canned and dry foods with those in feral cats consuming a diet consisting of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
Animals Twenty-nine feral cats and 20 domestic cats were included in the study.
Procedure A dental chart and dental calculus scores were recorded using the maxillary canine, maxillary third and fourth premolar, mandibular canine, mandibular fourth premolar and first molar teeth on both sides. Periodontal disease was recorded using gingival recession, increased periodontal pocket formation, radiographic alveolar bone loss, osteomyelitis, furcation and root exposure, and the presence of calculus as indicators.
Results Dental calculus scores were significantly higher in domestic cats than in feral cats. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of periodontal disease between the two groups.
Conclusion It can be inferred that diet may play a role in the accumulation of calculus, but a diet based on live prey does not protect cats against periodontal disease.     

Evaluation of a barrier dental sealant in dogs

A study was conducted in 40 healthy, randomly selected, client-owned, mixed and purebred dogs to assess the efficacy of a barrier dental sealant. All dogs showed evidence of dental plaque, calculus, or gingivitis. The dental sealant was applied to one side of the mouth following a professional teeth cleaning procedure and reapplied weekly for 8-weeks following the cleaning procedure. Dental parameters evaluated included plaque, calculus, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding indices. A statistically significant difference was detected between treated and untreated teeth compared with baseline values for plaque and calculus at weeks 4 and 8, gingivitis at week 4, and gingival bleeding time at week 8. A professional teeth cleaning procedure followed by a single application of the barrier dental sealant and weekly reapplication performed by a veterinarian or veterinary technician provided significant improvement in plaque and calculus indices during an 8-week period.     

Effectiveness of feeding large kibbles with mechanical cleaning properties in cats with gingivitis

Periodontal disease is the most common acquired oral disease in cats. It starts with plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of kibble and teeth brushing after professional dental cleaning. To this end, the ratio of facultative anaerobic and obligate anaerobic bacteria was determined, and the amount of plaque and tartar and the severity of gingivitis were measured. Eighty-eight cats with gingivitis and tartar were randomly divided into four groups and given different treatments after professional dental cleaning. The dental treatments were: group 1, cats were fed on small kibbles with mechanical cleaning qualities; group 2, cats were fed on small kibbles without mechanical cleaning qualities, and owners were instructed to brush the cats' teeth; group 3, cats were fed on large kibbles with mechanical cleaning qualities; and group 4, cats were fed on the same kibbles as group 2, but owners were not asked to brush their cats' teeth. A supragingival plaque sample was taken, and used for bacteriological analysis scores for tartar, plaque, and gingivitis were determined at the initial presentation and at 3 and 6 months after professional dental cleaning. Cats fed on the large kibbles with mechanical cleaning qualities (group 3) had significantly less gingivitis and tartar.     

Effectiveness of a dental gel to reduce plaque in beagle dogs

Tooth brushing is considered a superior technique for reducing plaque accumulation. Chemical agents may be used to reduce plaque accumulation on tooth surfaces since many owners may not be willing or able to brush their dog's teeth. Following a professional teeth cleaning procedure, a dental gel containing chlorhexidine was applied in 11 dogs BID for 7-days, while 11 other dogs received a control dental gel applied in the same manner. Dogs in the treatment group had significantly less plaque accumulation during the trial period compared with dogs in the control group. The dental gel applied in the study reported here decreases plaque accumulation in the short-term and may be beneficial in reducing the severity of gingivitis and associated periodontal disease if provided on a long-term basis.     

Long-term effects of a dental hygiene chew on the periodontal health of dogs

The objective of the study was to investigate the long-term effects of feeding a dental hygiene chew that has been shown to be effective in promoting periodontal health in dogs in short-term studies. Oral malodor, calculus, and plaque scores were still significantly lower after 21 months in the group that was receiving the dental hygiene chew, although gingivitis scores no longer differed significantly. There were no reports of any adverse reactions during the study. The results of the study support that feeding of the dental hygiene chew six days per week reduces accumulation of dental deposits, helps maintain periodontal health, and increases the time interval between professional periodontal intervention.     

Effect of two dietary regimens on gingivitis in the dog

The effect of two commercially available dietary regimens on the development of gingivitis and the accumulation of dental plaque, calculus and stain in the dog were studied. One regimen consisted of feeding an oral hygiene chew and a standard dry diet.
The other was based on a specifically designed oral care dry main meal. The study was conducted using 15 dogs in a two period, parallel cross-over design. Each period consisted of a one week pretest phase followed by a three week test phase. During the test phase, gingivitis and plaque were measured after one week and gingivitis, calculus, stain and plaque were measured after a further two weeks. Comparison of the two regimens showed that there were equal amounts of gingivitis, plaque and calculus by the end of the study. There was significantly more stain and significant loss in bodyweight when the main meal was fed.
The role of dietary modification in the maintenance of periodontal health is discussed.     

Effect of a mucoadhesive gel and dental scaling on gingivitis in dogs

Twenty client-owned dogs diagnosed with gingivitis were studied over a 45-day period in order to investigate the effect of professional dental prophylaxis combined with the use of a topical mucoadhesive gel containing adelmidrol, an aliamide. A non-intrusive papillary-marginal-gingival index (PMGI) was measured at each assessment, while the gingivitis index (GI) was measured only at the beginning and end of the study. Compared to the control group, the treated dogs had a significant decrease (P < 0.005) in the average GI index during the course of the study. A significant reduction (P < 0.002) in the average PMGI index was observed in both groups 15-days following dental prophylaxis. However at 30 and 45-days following dental prophylaxis, the PMGI index values were significantly different (P < 0.005) from baseline only in treated dogs. These results suggest that the combined use of a mucoadhesive gel with dental scaling was able to improve the regression of gingival inflammation and lengthen the therapeutic benefits of dental scaling and polishing during a limited study period.     

Dental chews positively shift the oral microbiota of adult dogs

Microbiota plays a prominent role in periodontal disease, but the canine oral microbiota and how dental chews may affect these populations have been poorly studied. We aimed to determine the differences in oral microbiota of adult dogs consuming dental chews compared with control dogs consuming only a diet. Twelve adult female beagle dogs (mean age = 5.31 ± 1.08 yr) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of 28-d periods. Treatments (n = 12/group) included: diet only (CT); diet + Bones & Chews Dental Treats (BC; Chewy, Inc., Dania Beach, FL); diet + Dr. Lyon’s Grain-Free Dental Treats (DL; Dr. Lyon’s, LLC, Dania Beach, FL); and diet + Greenies Dental Treats (GR; Mars Petcare US, Franklin, TN). Each day, one chew was provided 4 h after mealtime. On day 27, breath samples were analyzed for total volatile sulfur compound concentrations using a Halimeter. On day 0 of each period, teeth were cleaned by a veterinary dentist blinded to treatments. Teeth were scored for plaque, calculus, and gingivitis by the same veterinary dentist on day 28 of each period. After scoring, salivary (SAL), subgingival (SUB), and supragingival (SUP) samples were collected for microbiota analysis using Illumina MiSeq. All data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.4) using the Mixed Models procedure, with P < 0.05 considered significant. All dogs consuming chews had lower calculus coverage and thickness, pocket depth and bleeding, plaque thickness, and halitosis compared with CT. In all sites of collection, CT dogs had a higher relative abundance of one or more potentially pathogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas, Anaerovorax, Desulfomicrobium, Tannerella, and Treponema) and lower relative abundance of one or more genera associated with oral health (Neisseria, Corynebacterium, Capnocytophaga, Actinomyces, Lautropia, Bergeyella, and Moraxella) than those fed chews. DL reduced Porphyromonas in SUP and SUB samples. DL and GR reduced Treponema in SUP samples. DL increased Corynebacterium in all sites of collection. BC increased Corynebacterium in SAL samples. DL and GR increased Neisseria in SAL samples. DL increased Actinomyces in the SUB sample. GR increased Actinomyces in SAL samples. Our results suggest that the dental chews tested in this study may aid in reducing periodontal disease risk in dogs by beneficially shifting the microbiota inhabiting plaque and saliva of a dog’s oral cavity. These shifts occurred over a short period of time and were correlated with improved oral health scores.     

Effectiveness of an enzymatic rawhide dental chew to reduce plaque in beagle dogs

Tooth brushing is considered a superior technique for reducing plaque accumulation. Other methods of maintaining oral hygiene have been investigated since many owners may not be willing or able to brush their dog's teeth. Following a professional teeth cleaning procedure, 11 dogs were offered a rawhide dental chew BID for 7-days, while 11 other dogs were fed the same diet without receiving the chew device. Dogs in the treatment group had significantly less plaque formation during the trial period compared with dogs in the control group. The rawhide dental chew provided in the study reported here decreases plaque formation in the short-term and may be beneficial in the prevention of progressive periodontal disease associated with attachment loss if provided on a long-term basis.     

Risk factors for odontoclastic resorptive lesions in cats.

A cross-sectional study evaluating potential risk factors for odontoclastic resorptive lesions (ORL) in feline teeth was conducted. Owners of 32 cats with ORL and 27 cats without ORL were interviewed regarding their respective cat's demographic characteristics, diet, and medical and dental histories. Four factors were identified as significantly associated with ORL using unconditional logistic regression. A history of dental disease (gingivitis, calculus, or periodontal disease; odds ratio [OR], 4.5); city residence (OR, 4.4); and being an exclusively indoor cat (OR, 4.5) were associated with an increased risk for ORL. Consumption of commercial treats (OR, 0.3) appeared protective for ORL.     

Clinical and microbiological effects of oral zinc ascorbate gel in cats

The clinical and microbiological effects of zinc ascorbate gel applied orally in cats were evaluated during a 42-day study period. Cats were divided randomly into two equal groups, with the treatment group (18 cats) receiving zinc ascorbate gel and the control group (18 cats) receiving a placebo (0.9% sterile saline). Clinical parameters evaluated biweekly included halitosis, plaque, calculus, and gingivitis. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were obtained from cats in the treatment group at Days 0 and 42. There was a significant decrease in plaque, gingivitis, and anaerobic periodontal pathogens in treatment group cats. Halitosis and calculus scores were not significantly different in treatment group compared with control group cats. The results of this study suggest that zinc ascorbate gel used as an oral antiseptic improves feline oral health, and may be most effective in decreasing bacterial growth, plaque formation, and gingivitis when applied following a professional teeth cleaning procedure.     

Periodontal status in snow leopards

Periodontal examinations were performed on ten 1- to 22-year-old snow leopards (6 males and 4 females), using dentistry methods for determining the plaque and gingival indices. All tooth surfaces were probed, and alveolar bone attachment loss was determined. After subgingival plaque removal, plaque specimens were examined for differential bacterial morphotypes. The small number of leopards evaluated precluded definitive statistical analysis. However, the progression from gingival health to gingivitis to periodontitis was similar to that seen in man. Therefore, the use of plaque index, gingival index, alveolar bone attachment loss, and differential bacterial morphotypes can be used to determine the dental health of snow leopards.     

Dental configuration among different breeds of sheep

Three breeds of sheep, Southdown, Suffolk and Romney, and two mixed breeds, Border Leicester over Romney and Coopworth over Romney, managed identically on a research station, where they were free from culling and allowed to live their natural life, had their dental configuration examined. The sheep were divided into age groups with 10 sheep in each. The least variation was found in the relation of the upper dental pad to the lower jaw. The most statistically significant differences were found in the first age group: one year six months. The Suffolk breed was noticeably different from the others. Deepened gingival sulci, as well as the inconsistency of bleeding after probing associated with labial gingivitis highlighted the problems of using these latter criteria as indicators of health or disease among sheep on the basis of a single examination.     

Feline dental disease

Periodontal disease and chronic gingivitis/stomatitis are the most common feline dental diseases. With routine dental care and increased emphasis on home oral hygiene, these diseases can be controlled. Cats can be seen with a number of other dental disorders, and improved treatment methods such as restorations of early subgingival resorptive lesions, endodontic therapy, and orthodontic therapy can be performed successfully. More study and research are necessary about the gingivitis/stomatitis syndrome and subgingival resorptive lesions so that improved prevention and treatment recommendations can be made.