Dental homecare: teaching your clients to care for their pet's teeth

Therapeutic effect of aged garlic extract on gingivitis in dogs

Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental health problems in dogs. Clinical studies in humans have shown that aged garlic extract (AGE), which contains stable and water-soluble sulfur-containing bioactive compounds, improves the symptoms of periodontal diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that oral administration of AGE in healthy Beagle dogs at 90 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks had no adverse effects such as hemolytic anemia, which is well known to occur as a result of ingestion of Allium species, including onions and garlic, in dogs. However, the therapeutic potential of AGE in canine periodontal disease remains unclear. Accordingly, we investigated the therapeutic effects of AGE in Beagle dogs with mild gingivitis. Feeding 18 mg/kg/day of AGE for 8 weeks resulted in the improvement of gingival index score, level of volatile sulfur compounds in exhaled air, and enzyme activity of periodontal pathogens without any adverse effects on clinical signs and hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Moreover, AGE increased the concentration of salivary cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide that contributes to the oral innate immune response. These results suggest that AGE could be a potential therapeutic agent for canine gingivitis.

Influence of Gallic Acid-Containing Mouth Spray on Dental Health and Oral Microbiota of Healthy Dogs: A Pilot Study

The pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of GAMS on oral microbiota in healthy dog subjects. Thirty-eight dogs were recruited and randomly allocated to the placebo (n = 19) and treatment groups (n = 19). The dogs were treated with mouth spray once daily for 42 days. The changes in the gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and calculus index (CI) were measured at baseline (day 0) and end of the study (42nd day). The changes in the oral microbial composition of representative dogs (placebo, n = 7; and treatment, n = 7) were also evaluated at baseline and end of the study. Oral microbial composition was assessed by sequencing. The sequences were annotated using the QIIME 2.0^TM. The GI, PI, and CI indexes were reduced after the GAMS usage. The abundance of the commensal bacterial phylum Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi, genera Frederiksenia, and Bergeyella was improved after six weeks of GAMS usage. GAMS reduced the pathogenic bacterial species, including Neisseria sp., Desulfobulbus sp., Capnocytophaga canis, and Corynebacterium mustelae. Moreover, some pathogenic bacterial abundances were increased at the end of the study. All the microbial variations were observed within the group. The inter-group analysis revealed that the changes were unrelated to GAMS usage. Further studies need to be carried out using more experimental subjects to confirm the effectiveness of GAMS. More metagenomic data are required to evidence the GMAS impact on the oral microbiome of healthy dogs.

Revisiting Periodontal Disease in Dogs: How to Manage This New Old Problem?

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent oral inflammatory diseases in dogs. PD onset begins with the formation of a polymicrobial biofilm (dental plaque) on the surface of the teeth, followed by a local host inflammatory response. To manage this disease, several procedures focusing on the prevention and control of dental plaque establishment, as well as on the prevention of local and systemic PD-related consequences, are essential. The removal of dental plaque and the inhibition of its formation can be achieved by a combination of dental hygiene homecare procedures including tooth brushing, the application of different oral products and the use of specific diet and chew toys, and regular professional periodontal procedures. Additionally, in some cases, periodontal surgery may be required to reduce PD progression. Associated with these measures, host modulation therapy, antimicrobial therapy, and other innovative therapeutic options may be useful in PD management. Moreover, PD high prevalence and its relation with potential local and systemic consequences reinforce the need for investment in the development of new preventive measures, treatments, and oral procedures to improve the control of this disease in dogs. Knowledge on the specific guidelines and diversity of the available products and procedures are fundamental to apply the most adequate treatment to each dog with PD.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Oral Mucoadhesive Ointment Containing Pomegranate Peel Extract as an Adjuvant for Oral Hygiene of Dogs

Herbal therapies are used worldwide to treat a variety of health conditions, including dental conditions in veterinary medicine. In this context, the use of medicinal plant-based formulations as potential therapeutics and preventatives in veterinary dentistry is worth highlighting. The objective of the present study was to develop a mucoadhesive ointment formulation, named orabase, that contained pomegranate extract for use in the oral cavity of dogs, with the aim of improving their oral hygiene. The hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate peels was incorporated into the orabase in 3 different concentrations. The formulations were subjected to in vitro microbiological testing by a modified disc-diffusion method to study the susceptibility of microorganisms collected from the oral cavities of the dogs. The samples were taken from the buccal mucosa of dogs having the same management and diet. The most effective formulation was submitted to physicochemical tests to evaluate the functionality of the product, namely pH, swelling index, spreadability, and mechanical properties (hardness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness). The formulation containing 25.0% w/w of the extract was considered most suitable for the intended use as it showed antiseptic activity and demonstrated a swelling index of approximately 35% in the first 20 minutes of the test, high spreadability, and suitable mechanical properties. The results suggest that the product obtained from pomegranate peel extract is a viable option for use to improve oral hygiene, helping to reduce the bacterial component of dental plaque in dogs.

A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs

Periodontal disease is a frequent problem seen in veterinary practices. Primary-care veterinary practices, where diagnosis of periodontal disease is predominantly based on visual oral assessment of conscious dogs, report an average prevalence of 9.3 to 18.2% within the dog population. Detailed examinations of anaesthetised dogs report much higher prevalence of between 44 and 100%. The prevalence and severity of periodontitis varies between sizes of dogs, breeds and individuals. The lack of robust evaluation of these variances opens the opportunity for a review of the topic. A literature search was therefore undertaken to determine the frequency and extent (severity and oral location) of periodontal disease in the dog population. Both clinical and retrospective data based surveys of veterinary records, show there is an increased likelihood of developing periodontitis as age increases and with bodyweight decreases. The maxillary and mandibular incisors, fourth premolars and first molars are likely to develop the disease first although in some breeds the canines may also be involved. Poor oral care is a significant risk factor for the development of periodontal disease although diet, behaviour, environment and genetics are also likely to play a role. The information provided in this review can be used by veterinarians to improve the effectiveness of their diagnosis, treatments and interventions by focussing their efforts on the sizes, breeds and individuals most at risk. Given the potential link between periodontal disease and systemic health, veterinarians have the opportunity to positively impact the quality of life of a large number of dogs and therefore their owners.

Potential of two delivery systems for nisin topical application to dental plaque biofilms in dogs

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease (PD) is caused by the development of a microbial biofilm (dental plaque) in the periodontium, affecting approximately 80% of dogs. Several bacterial species present in the canine oral cavity can be implicated in the development of this disease, including Enterococcus spp. To decrease antibiotic administration, a possible control strategy for dog's enterococcal PD may involve the use of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) nisin. Nisin's inhibitory activity was evaluated against a collection of previously characterized enterococci obtained from the oral cavity of dogs with PD (n = 20), as well as the potential of a guar-gum gel and a veterinary toothpaste as topical delivery systems for this AMP. The Minimum Inhibitory (MIC) and Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) and the Minimum Biofilm Eradication (MBEC) and Inhibitory Concentrations (MBIC) were determined for nisin and for the supplemented guar-gum gel. For the supplemented veterinary toothpaste an agar-well diffusion assay was used to evaluate its inhibitory potential.

RESULTS

Nisin was effective against all isolates. Independently of being or not incorporated in the guar-gum gel, its inhibitory activity on biofilms was higher, with MBIC (12.46 ± 5.16 and 13.60 ± 4.31 μg/mL, respectively) and MBEC values (21.87 ± 11.33 and 42.34 ± 16.61 μg/mL) being lower than MIC (24.61 ± 4.64 and 14.90 ± 4.10 μg/mL) and MBC (63.09 ± 13.22 and 66.63 ± 19.55 μg/mL) values. The supplemented toothpaste was also effective, showing inhibitory activity against 95% of the isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibitory ability of nisin when incorporated in the two delivery systems was maintained or increased, demonstrating the potential of these supplemented vehicles to be applied to PD control in dogs.

Validation of Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence for Quantifying Calculus on Dogs' Teeth

Periodontal disease is a common disease of dogs and is initiated by the buildup of plaque on the tooth surface. As plaque matures, it becomes mineralized to form calculus, which although not directly involved in the etiology of periodontal disease, provides an irregular surface to which plaque can adhere. Evaluation of the quantity of plaque and calculus on dogs' teeth is therefore essential to enable the efficacy of products, designed to prevent or retard plaque and calculus accumulation, to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine whether quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF^TM) is a suitable tool to quantify the amount of calculus on the buccal surface of dogs' teeth following the removal of disclosed plaque by tooth brushing. The amount of calculus on the teeth of 26 miniature schnauzers was measured, using QLF and a calculus index method (Warrick-Gorrel), during a 28-day phase crossover study comparing feeding a daily dental chew versus providing no daily chew. Quantification of calculus using the Warrick-Gorrel method showed a 43.8% reduction in calculus buildup, with 95% confidence interval of 27.3 to 60.3 ( P < .001). With QLF, the percentage reduction in calculus accumulation was 65.8% (58.1-73.4, P < .001). A retrospective sample size analysis showed that fewer dogs were required for QLF analysis compared to the Warrick-Gorrel method. This study demonstrated that QLF is a sensitive and precise method for quantification of calculus on dogs' teeth. It removes the subjective element of human examiners and has greater accuracy and reduced variability through the continuous nature of the data.

Periodontal disease immunology: 'double indemnity' in protecting the host

During the last two to three decades our understanding of the immunobiology of periodontal disease has increased exponentially, both with respect to the microbial agents triggering the disease process and the molecular mechanisms of the host engagement maintaining homeostasis or leading to collateral tissue damage. These foundational scientific findings have laid the groundwork for translating cell phenotype, receptor engagement, intracellular signaling pathways and effector functions into a 'picture' of the periodontium as the host responds to the 'danger signals' of the microbial ecology to maintain homeostasis or succumb to a disease process. These findings implicate the chronicity of the local response in attempting to manage the microbial challenge, creating a 'Double Indemnity' in some patients that does not 'insure' health for the periodontium. As importantly, in reflecting the title of this volume of Periodontology 2000, this review attempts to inform the community of how the science of periodontal immunology gestated, how continual probing of the biology of the disease has led to an evolution in our knowledge base and how more recent studies in the postgenomic era are revolutionizing our understanding of disease initiation, progression and resolution. Thus, there has been substantial progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of host-bacteria interactions that result in the clinical presentation and outcomes of destructive periodontitis. The science has embarked from observations of variations in responses related to disease expression with a focus for utilization of the responses in diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes, to current investigations using cutting-edge fundamental biological processes to attempt to model the initiation and progression of soft- and hard-tissue destruction of the periodontium. As importantly, the next era in the immunobiology of periodontal disease will need to engage more sophisticated experimental designs for clinical studies to enable robust translation of basic biologic processes that are in action early in the transition from health to disease, those which stimulate microenvironmental changes that select for a more pathogenic microbial ecology and those that represent a rebalancing of the complex host responses and a resolution of inflammatory tissue destruction.

AAFP-AAHA: feline life stage guidelines

BACKGROUND AND GOALS

Cats have become the most popular pet in the United States, yet statistics about veterinary care for cats remain troubling. Although most owners consider their cats to be family members, cats are substantially underserved, compared with dogs. In 2006, owners took their dogs to veterinarians more than twice as often as cats, averaging 2.3 times/year, compared with 1.1 times/year for cats, and significantly more dogs (58%) than cats (28%) were seen by a veterinarian one or more times/year. Cat owners often express a belief that cats 'do not need medical care'. Two reasons for this misconception are that signs of illness are often difficult to detect, and cats are perceived to be self-sufficient.(2) One role of the veterinarian is to develop a partnership with cat owners that will pave the way for a lifelong health care plan. These guidelines aim to outline an evidence-based life stage wellness program to aid the veterinary medical team in delivering the best comprehensive care for cats. Specific goals are to provide: *Recommendations for optimal health care for cats throughout the different life stages. *Practical suggestions and tools to facilitate improved veterinary visits and to enhance the client-veterinarian clinical encounter. *A foundation from which to access sources of additional information.

LIFE STAGE CLASSIFICATION

Distinct life stages (age groups) in cats are not well defined, in part because individual animals and body systems age at different rates, a process that is influenced by many factors. These guidelines follow one convenient classification (see box below). These age designations help to focus attention on the physical and behavioral changes that occur at different stages (eg, congenital defects in kittens, obesity prevention in the junior cat). It must be recognized, however, that any age groupings are inevitably arbitrary demarcations along a spectrum, and not absolutes. EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH CARE: Supporting references for specific recommendations are supplied where possible, and any previously published guidelines on particular topics are referred to where relevant. Readers should note, however, that the guidelines panel was hampered in its efforts by the relative paucity of disease incidence data by age group that is available, and there is an urgent need for research to guide the future of evidence-based feline health care.