A Dog Owner's Lament: Don't Overlook The Teeth

Remember that last trip to the dentist? Did the dental hygieniest lecture you for the umpteenth time to floss better and maneuver your brush behind those hard-to-reach molars?

Recently, when I took my 4-year-old greyhound Becka in for her annual physical and immunization, it became readily apparent a return trip for teeth cleaning was required. Two days later she was back for an all-day stay.

If you're like me - that is, until recently - you neglect your dog's teeth. I groom her regularly, trim her toenails and provide her a healthy well-balanced diet. But teeth, who sees 'em. She won't be mistaken for Donny or Marie Osmond with those gleaming pearl whites.

As Dr. Grady Shelton peered into his 66-pound patient's mouth, I was struck (and embarrassed) by the tartar and plaque buildup - brown-yellow discoloration of her canines and molars - and gum inflammation atop one of the canines.

Signs to watch

If you're not prone to opening your dog's mouth periodically for a tooth inspection, here are outward signs and symptoms of trouble: persistent bad breath, sensitivity around the mouth, pawing at the mouth, loss of appetite.

Basically, tartar is a layer of organic and inorganic substances generated by chemical activity between the dog's saliva and its food. A haven for bacteria, it eventually works its way beneath the gums, irritating and inflaming them and causing a recession of the gumline.

Left unchecked, it can progress to the bony socket around the tooth, creating looseness and eventual loss of the tooth.

This is common in all breeds, particularly former racing greyhounds who were fed an exclusively soft diet at the track.

When Becka came to our house almost two years ago, she'd been spayed and her teeth cleaned. Because of my oversight, she was running (pun intended) the risk of gum disease.

The dog has a much stronger set of teeth than we do. The tooth structure and thicker enamel provide greater resistance to cavities. Studies by the National Association of Dental Research show the bacterial count of the average dog's mouth is lower than that of the human mouth, but even though its mouth is cleaner, it's far from antiseptic.

Common problem

Periodontal (gum) disease is the most frequently seen mouth disease in dogs. In fact, Dr. Jean Hawkins, Boise, Idaho, veterinarian and a member of the American Veterinary Dental Society, says, "approximately 85 to 95 percent of all small animals 2 years old or older suffer from the disease," chiefly as a result of owner neglect.

Dry food, biscuits, rawhide bones, hard rubber toys, Gummabone Plaque Attacker and Friskies Chew-eez create an abrasion against the teeth, helping reduce an accumulation of tartar and plaque. But don't think for a minute, they'll do the job alone.

You'll need to either use a soft-bristle brush, a rubber-tipped finger brush or a soft cloth or gauze wrapped around the index finger three times or more a week to maintain the teeth and gums in A-1 condition. There are several varieties of oral sprays containing zinc ascorbate, which can be sprayed on the teeth. Antibacterial solutions which can be applied to the teeth, either on a cotton swab or a wash cloth, include Novadent, Viadent and Peridex, which is a prescription solution. It's not critical to do the inner tooth surfaces, which makes your job considerably easier.

Teeth cleaning - ultrasonic scaling and polishing - by your veterinarian requires anesthesia and costs between $55 and $90, a check of a half-dozen area hospitals showed. That can vary however for geriatric cases which require blood work-ups to determine if the pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure, which, barring no tooth extraction, usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

In Becka's case, fortunately periodontal problems hadn't advanced to the point where removal was required. When I picked her up later, her teeth were gleaming and I committed myself to maintaining them that way.

Assuming you haven't been caring for your dog's teeth, the time to begin is a couple of days following professional cleaning (this allows inflamed gums to settle down). According to Hawkins, without home care, plaque will re-accumulate within 24 to 48 hours and begin to mineralize into calculus.

As with any type of health care, the younger the dog, the easier the routine. Begin by lifting the lips and using a rubber tipped fingerbrush available from your veterinarian or pet store, and rub the teeth from gum to tooth tip. Limit the Day 1 procedure to about 30 seconds and build up to a couple of minutes by the end of the week. Praise and pet your dog continually and reward him/her with a small treat at the end of each session.

Make certain the cleaning is done in a quiet out-of-the-way room where there are no distractions. Set the mood with radio tuned to a soft-music station. No, Fido's not ready for head phones and the radio tuned to his favorite station yet.

If you want to change to a tooth brush, fine, but the initial sometimes unsettling experience for the pet will go smoother with massage and gentle brushing. Wait until Week 2 or 3 to try the toothbrush. Begin with a 30-second brushing and increase to two to three minutes by week's end.

Seek help

If your dog resists, growls or bares its teeth, stop immediately. Confer with your veterinarian, who might be willing to demonstrate the cleaning technique firsthand on your dog.

Doggy toothpastes with appetizing flavors are available from veterinarians and pet stores. Do not use a toothpaste designed for humans, since it can cause gastric irritation and excessive foaming. Baking soda contains a high sodium level, which may cause problems in some animals, especially those with a heart condition, according VRx Products in a brochure, "Pets Have Teeth Too!"

There is an old saying, that when the teeth go, the rest will soon follow. Keep that in mind!

Free workshops

Several free workshops are scheduled at the Seattle-King County Humane Society library this month.

The first, "Starting Right with Your Puppy, Part 1" is designed for those who have a puppy or are considering getting one. Puppy development, creating an atmosphere for effective learning behavior, proper socialization techniques and household etiquette, will be addressed, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Part 2 of puppy orientation is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, June 12. This time you can bring the puppy, providing it is not older than 6 months. Be sure to include some tasty dog treats and your puppy's favorite toy.

On June 21, the focus will shift to "Caring for an Aging Pet," followed by a June 29 session, "Animal Massage for Dogs," both at 6:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is required by calling 649-7553.

AKC video package

Dog owners and potential ones can explore the world of purebred dogs at home with the American Kennel Club Breed Identification Series. The seven-tape video library brings to life 135 breeds recognized by the AKC.

Each tape features one of the seven groups recognized by the registry. Viewers are given a detailed description of every breed, including its adult size, weight, characteristics and temperament.

The complete video encyclopedia is available at $34.95, plus $5 shipping and handling. Send orders to AKC, 5580 Centerview Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606. Mail information regarding dog/cat events to Classified Division, attn. Marilyn Fairbanks, Dog/Cat Events, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. All releases must be in writing and received by Monday prior to Sunday publication. Be sure to include a phone number. Pet tip of the week is on The Times InfoLine, 464-2000, then press PETS (7387).