When it comes to oral health, there is one enemy that can cause a whole mess of problems- plaque. A sticky, invisible substance made of bacteria and food particles, it forms over the teeth. As it sits there it combines with the minerals in saliva over several days to form the hard brown deposit known as tartar or calculus. It continues to develop, adding new layers to the tartar. While it certainly looks ugly, what you are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.
While the tartar is forming, below the gum line toxins from the bacteria in the plaque causing irritation and destroy the tissue surrounding the roots. This is known as periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the early form of this disease where the gums are inflamed, and swollen but tissue destruction hasn’t begun. With proper care, gingivitis can be reversed. Periodontitis is the later form where the fibers that keep the tooth in place are destroyed causing deep pockets around the root. Bone destruction may even occur. At this stage teeth become loose and can cause pain. Periodontitis can not be reversed, but with proper care, further destruction can be slowed or prevented.
The tissue destruction gives the bacteria access to the blood vessels sending the bacteria through the body in the blood system. This bacteria has been shown to have an effect on the heart, liver and kidneys. High bacteria levels in the blood can also make it hard to regulate a diabetic pet’s blood glucose.
Periodontal disease is considered the most common disease in adult dogs and cats, but as you can see it doesn’t just stop at the mouth. Good oral health can help keep your pet in good general health. Next week I’ll write about how periodontal disease is treated and what steps you can take to prevent it.
Did you miss Part 1? Check out Pet Dental Health: The Tooth and Nothing but the Tooth
Another great post on dental health! We were just talking about plaque at work yesterday!
Jen@MyBrownNewfies recently posted..A List Of Things My Dogs Do That Annoy Me.
Thanks Jen! I think sometimes we should use those pink disclosure tablets they used to give us in school to show pet owners how much plaque there is. Maybe that will get them brushing.
Dawn Miklich recently posted..Pet Dental Health: Enemy, Thy Name is Plaque
We brush our teeth every night before we go to bed! Started the day mom brought us home. The vet says our teeth are great and even my sister that is 10 has great teeth. We are going to post on this subject later this month. It is so easy, so important and we really enjoy it too!
emma recently posted..Valentine Mail | GBGV | Wordless Wednesday
Wow Emma, Your mom was very smart to get you into that habit. It will definitely benefit you for life!
Dawn Miklich recently posted..Pet Dental Health: Enemy, Thy Name is Plaque
I guess I wasn’t aware that it also makes it difficult on diabetic dogs. Thanks for sharing!
Ann Paws recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Love is in the Air
On the diabetic cat forum I frequent, when a cat becomes uncontrolled or one that is diet controlled and now has high BG levels one of the first suggestions is seeing if a dental is needed.
It’s one of those vicious cycles. Poor glucose control has an affect on the healing process so it can be hard to get the periodontitis under control. Bacteria love high glucose levels and multiply like crazy in the environment. Now you have a much higher bacteria load affecting the overall health which affects BG control.
Dawn Miklich recently posted..Pet Dental Health: Enemy, Thy Name is Plaque
Great post!
Pup Fan recently posted..His spring is broken…
I really have to get into the brushing habit, of all the other things I do, I slack off on this. I never realized the whole bacteria going through the blood stream portion of it. I’ll get better at it.
Jodi recently posted..Let’s Pretend