Dental Diet efficacy in the senior dog study

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http://www.eukanuba-scienceonline.com/r ... Senior.pdf

Clinical
Investigation of
Dental Diet
Efficacy in the
Senior Dog
Allan J. Lepine, PhD
Sean M. Murray, PhD
Edward R. Cox, BS
Research and Development Division
The Iams Company, Lewisburg, Ohio USA
INTRODUCTION
Periodontal disease has been recognized for over 100
years as a condition of high incidence in the dog. In 1899,
Talbot reported that 75% of dogs 4 to 8 years of age were
impacted by periodontal disease.1 This disease incidence
was recently confirmed in a review describing that 53 to
95% of dogs older than one year of age had some degree of
periodontitis.1 Clearly, the broad impact of challenges to
dental health across the general dog population should warrant
that specific efforts be directed towards increasing
awareness of the problem and the development of innovative
and beneficial dental care strategies. This manuscript will
review factors influencing dental health in the senior dog
and discuss management strategies important in maintaining
dental health including a newer dietary approach.
PROGRESSION TOWARD DENTAL DISEASE
The tooth is held within the oral cavity by a set of periodontal
structures including the periodontal ligament (connective
tissue between the root of the tooth and the bony
socket), the gingiva, cementum and alveolar bone. These
supporting structures serve to hold the tooth firmly in the
jaw and act as a shock absorber, allowing for tearing and
grinding of food without damage to the tooth or the alveolar
bone that surrounds the tooth. Obviously, damage to these
supporting structures can result in pain and the ultimate
loss of the tooth. Such progressive damage is quite common
and referred to as periodontal disease. Although the term
“periodontal disease” is often applied (and misapplied) to
oral conditions, it can be specifically defined as a “disease of
the supporting structures of the teeth.”2
The initial step in the progression towards periodontal
disease is the formation and accumulation of plaque on the
tooth surface (Figure 1). A glycoprotein layer referred to as
the pellicle forms on any clean tooth surface when exposed
to saliva. Bacteria normally present in the oral cavity
adhere to this pellicle and begin to multiply. The addition
of food particles, sloughed epithelial cells and salivary
mucin to the pellicle results in the formation of dental
plaque. The resultant plaque is a living biofilm made up
largely of aerobic, gram-positive bacteria.1,3,4 Plaque forms
very quickly in humans and animals, typically within hours
of a dental prophylaxis. Although dental plaque is a soft
material, it cannot be removed by movement of the tongue,
drinking water or contact with the saliva. It can, however,
be removed by brushing of the teeth, chewing or other
physical abrasion.
Failure to effectively remove dental plaque will eventually
result in the formation of dental calculus or tartar.
Formation of calculus from plaque occurs when mineral salts
in the saliva, such as calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate,
precipitate out and are deposited in the plaque. The
deposition of calcium typically occurs in and between the
remains of bacteria present in the plaque. Dental calculus
can be observed both above (supragingival) and below
(subgingival) the gum line. It is a hard deposit that adheres
strongly to the tooth surface and therefore can only be successfully
remove by a professional dental prophylaxis.
AGE AND BODY WEIGHT AS RISK FACTORS
FOR DENTAL DISEASE
Numerous studies have shown that periodontal disease is
the most common diagnosis in companion animals. Many of
these same studies have also documented a strong positive
relationship between an increase in age and the prevalence
of dental disease. Prevalence estimates of 66% to over 80%
in dogs older than 6 years of age have been reported.1 It is
possible that host defense systems in the oral cavity may be
compromised by advancing age and increased stresses
thereby contributing to the high prevalence.3 A significant
Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003 26
correlation between increased dental calculus and advancing
age was noted in a study conducted with 251 dogs.5 Results
also indicated a higher prevalence of periodontitis associated
with aging dogs. Periodontitis was also demonstrated to
increase significantly with increasing age and decreasing
body weight resulting in a markedly greater incidence of
disease in the aging toy breed dog.4 Smaller breeds and brachiocephalic
breeds tend to have malocclusions (often
resulting from rotated
teeth), overcrowding and
retained deciduous teeth.
These physical characteristics
complicate the administration
of good oral
hygiene and result in
increased incidence of
areas of plaque buildup
and calculus deposition.
The increased deposition
of calculus and plaque and the incidence of periodontal
disease as age increases is further complicated by the fact that
the likelihood of additional underlying health conditions
increases as the animal ages. As a result, risks associated
with dental prophylaxis (ie, anesthesia) may also increase
with increasing age.
CONSEQUENCES OF POOR ORAL HYGIENE
Although supragingival calculus is primarily considered
to be a cosmetic issue, it is an indicator of the need for dental
hygiene. It is most often manifested visually as accumulation
of calculus and(or) olfactorally as breath malodor. Breath
malodor is primarily caused by bacterial metabolism of proteins
from food debris, saliva, and epithelial cells present in
the oral cavity. The presence of plaque and calculus provides
a positive environment for bacterial proliferation and
further metabolism of proteins leading to continued malodor.
Breath malodor is typically associated with gingivitis
and periodontitis.
The rough surface of dental calculus can promote the
additional buildup of calculus on the teeth (Figure 2A) by
providing an ideal facade for the
adherence of new plaque.
Maturation of this newly deposited
plaque continues the process
of calculus buildup on the tooth
surface. As calculus continues to
accumulate and extend into the
gingival sulcus, the rough surface
irritates the gingiva, causing
inflammation of the soft tissues.
Inflammation from bacterial toxins
in plaque plus physical irritation
from subgingival calculus
causes gingivitis. The edges of the
gums may begin to look hyperemic
and mildly edematous. Although gingivitis is a completely
reversible condition, it can become chronic if the teeth are
not subjected to a thorough dental prophylaxis.
During the process of gingivitis, bacteria can be trapped
under the swollen gum line (Figure 2B) resulting in bacterial
toxin and neutrophil accumulation and further tissue
damage. The gingival sulcus eventually becomes a periodontal
pocket, resulting in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere and
the predomination of anaerobic bacteria within this environment.
This shift in bacterial population leads to further
release of toxins and a continuation of the host’s inflammatory
response. It is important to recognize that it is the host’s
immune system attempting to control the infection and
inflammation rather than a direct effect of the oral bacteria
that contributes to actual tissue damage and progression
towards periodontal disease. Once plaque and the resultant
inflammation reach the periodontal ligament (Figure 2C),
damage to this anchoring structure can occur and periodontal
disease is initiated.
Damage to the periodontal ligament is irreversible. As
the disease progresses, alveolar bone erodes causing the
tooth to loosen and be exfoliated (Figure 2D). This process
of bone loss occurs over a prolonged period of time.
Periodontal disease goes through active periods of tissue
damage followed by quiescent periods of inactivity and
healing. Untreated periodontal disease may take as long as
two to five years before enough of the alveolar bone is
destroyed to cause tooth loss.3,4 It is often a silent disease
that may progress without obvious clinical signs, even in
the face of severe disease. Clinical signs of periodontal disease
made include any or all of the following6:
• Halitosis
• Anorexia
• Difficulty eating
• Ptyalism
• Head shaking
• Behavioral changes
• Red, swollen, and/or bleeding gums
• Loose teeth
• Accumulation of plaque, calculus, and stain
• Ulcerations on gingival or oral mucosa
27 Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003
Figure 1. (A) Clean tooth; (B) tooth develops layer of plaque, often referred to as biofilm;
(C) formation of dental calculus.
A B C
DENTAL DISEASE AND
ITS SYSTEMIC EFFECTS
A good deal of discussion and speculation exists in the
veterinary community regarding the potential relationship
between periodontal disease and systemic health. Diabetes
has been linked to increased periodontal disease in humans
but the same evidence is not available for dogs.4 Several
authors have cited existing evidence in the human literature
regarding dental disease and the risk of heart disease, pulmonary
infection, stroke, and low birth weight babies.6,7 It
has been noted that bacteremia occurs in some dogs with
dental disease, increasing after dental manipulation.1,6
Furthermore, reports have also indicated that bacteremia
increases following the simple act of chewing in the healthy
dog.8 Healthy animals should be able to clear a transient
bacteremia, but there may be cause for concern in animals
under stress, with compromised immune or organ function
and in older animals.
The local host inflammatory response to periodontal
disease also produces inflammatory cytokines that are capable
of reaching the general circulation. These circulating
cytokines may reach a concentration high enough to produce
systemic effects. One recent study by DeBowes et al.7
demonstrated a correlation between the severity of periodontal
disease in dogs and histologic changes in the
myocardium, renal, and hepatic tissues. Additional research
is required to determine if periodontal disease is a risk factor
for systemic diseases in the dog.
ORAL HEALTH CARE STRATEGIES
It is almost universally accepted in the veterinary community
that preventative care through regular dental prophylaxis
combined with diligent home dental care will
optimize health of the teeth and gingiva. If this is not
accomplished and gingival health declines beyond mild
gingivitis, more involved and expensive procedures are
required to restore the oral tissues to a healthy state.
A dental prophylaxis includes a complete oral examination,
oral charting, scaling, and polishing of the crown and
subgingival surfaces. Necessary equipment includes hand
scalers, a power scaler, curettes, and polishing equipment.
Power scalers include ultrasonic or sonic scalers and,
although not required, are faster than hand scaling. It is also
recommended to use a preoperative rinse of dilute
chlorhexidine solution to help minimize the bacteremia
that occurs during a dental cleaning.9 Power scaling should
be used first, followed by hand scaling to gently remove
residual plaque and calculus under the gumline. Polishing is
recommended after planing and scaling to smooth enamel
grooves and pits that occur from scaling. Lastly, supragingival
and subgingival flushing removes residual pumice from
polishing, which can act as an irritant to the gums.
Veterinary health professionals agree that brushing the
teeth should be practiced consistently and is the single most
effective means of removing plaque and preventing gingivitis.
It has been reported that brushing the teeth three times
weekly can prevent gingivitis in dogs.9 Pet toothbrushes
come in a variety of sizes and shapes in an effort to improve
the efficacy of the brushing process. Finger brushes are also
available although some veterinarians feel that the bristles
are too soft to effectively remove plaque.9,10 They can, however,
be used as a transition to a toothbrush. Toothpastes
are available that are specifically designed for use by pets.
Although the ability of the pet toothpaste to enhance the
removal of dental plaque is equivocal, toothpaste flavors
can be beneficial in the training process and make brushing
a more pleasurable experience for the pet. Compounds with
antimicrobial activity have been incorporated into pet
toothpastes (glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase) and into
topical gels and rinses (chlorhexidine).
Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003 28
Figure 2. (A) Additional buildup of calculus on the tooth; (B) bacteria
becomes trapped under a swollen gum line resulting in bacterial
toxin, neutrophil accumulation, and tissue damage; (C) plaque and
inflammation reach the periodontal ligament, damaging the anchoring
structure; (D) damaged periodontal ligament, leading to erosion of
alveolar bone and tooth loss.
A B
C D
NUTRITIONAL AND NON-NUTRITIONAL
ORAL HEALTHCARE
Many veterinarians are of the opinion that without
home dental care an annual professional dental prophylaxis
will not effectively prevent periodontal disease.10 This
presents a dilemma, however, since owner compliance to a
brushing schedule that is aggressive enough to assist in the
removal of plaque, and the prevention of calculus formation,
gingivitis and periodontal disease is very low. In response,
an increasing number of nutritional products have become
available in recent years that may act as adjuncts to professional
and home dental care. These products primarily rely
on mechanical scraping to remove plaque from the teeth.
Dry foods, chews, toys and dental-specific diets generally
rely on this strategy.
There is a commonly held belief that dry diets reduce
the rate of plaque accumulation and gingivitis relative to
dogs exclusively fed wet food. A review of the literature by
O’Rourke11 concluded that there was evidence to suggest
hard food maintained the health of the gingiva, periodontal
membrane, and alveolar bone. A study by Burwasser and
Hill12 demonstrated that dogs fed soft diets tended to produce
pathological changes in the gingiva as seen on histology.
Egelberg conducted a study measuring plaque formation
and the amount of gingival exudate in 14 dogs fed hard or
soft diets.13 Dogs fed the soft diet accumulated more plaque
and developed more gingivitis than when they were fed the
hard diet. However, a more recent study by Harvey et al.14
involving 1,350 dogs did not find a significant protective
effect in dogs fed dry food versus those fed semi-moist or
wet food. The effect of hard food on dental health may vary
according to the individual animal.
A beneficial effect on calculus, gingivitis, and alveolar
bone loss has been reported in dogs that chew on toys,
rawhides and biscuits compared to those dogs that had little
or no access to these materials.14 Rawhide chews were
found to have a greater effect as compared to biscuits or toys.
Interestingly, the greatest protective effect on periodontal
tissues was found in dogs that were fed hard food and
chewed rawhide treats. Another study by Lage et al.15
reported that dental calculus coverage was lower for dogs
provided with rawhide chews compared with those consuming
cereal biscuits. The influence of other types of
chews on plaque, calculus, and gingivitis has been investigated
as well. One study involving a flexible urethane bone
found less supragingival calculus in dogs after 30 days of use
compared to those that did not have the bone.16 Another
chew developed for dental health was the subject of two
studies. Both studies demonstrated that adding the chew to
a hard diet decreased calculus, plaque, and the incidence and
severity of gingivitis in dogs after three or four weeks.19,20
The opportunity of providing a dental benefit via a
nutritionally complete diet is worthy of consideration due
to the high level of owner compliance that results from this
strategy. Typically, the mechanism employed is similar to
those previously discussed in that it relies on a mechanical
scraping action to clean the teeth. This has primarily been
achieved by changing the texture and size of the kibble
such that the chewing action is prolonged and plaque and
calculus are purportedly scraped off of the surface of the
tooth. The primary limitation to this mechanical mechanism
of action is that physical contact is required between the
food and the tooth surface. Clearly, not all teeth are involved
in mastication of the food and it is therefore unlikely that
the benefit of a mechanical effect will be uniformly realized
across all tooth surfaces. Furthermore, even more limited
benefits can be expected for animals with malocclusions or
that tend to swallow with little or no chewing action.
These limitations are considerable and must be addressed if
the dog is to receive a substantial dental benefit delivered
through a complete and balanced diet.
NEWER NUTRITIONAL APPROACH
TO CONTROLLING DENTAL CALCULUS
A newer approach to the prevention of calculus in
companion animals is to utilize nutritional mineral sources
in such a way that they can provide dental benefits.
Specifically, nutritional sources of phosphates can be
manipulated during manufacturing to enhance the dental
properties of the kibble without altering the base formula,
or kibble size. This is accomplished via a unique manufacturing
procedure that coats the outer surface of the food
with polyphosphates in a microcrystalline form.
The polyphosphate crystals help to prevent the mineralization
of plaque into calculus by forming a physical barrier
on the plaque surface. This is in contrast to current
29 Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003
methodologies that utilize abrasion to remove plaque during
mastication. The benefit of the barrier approach is that
polyphosphates can provide whole mouth benefits as they
release from the diet during mastication and carry throughout
the oral cavity. This mechanism of action allows the
polyphosphates to provide benefits to non-chewing surfaces
as well as contact surfaces. Additionally, this nutritional
approach offers a prolonged dental benefit as the polyphosphates
remain within the plaque until the body absorbs
them as phosphorus nutrients.
EFFECTS OF PHOSPHORUS SOURCES
ON DENTAL HEALTH
Studies were conducted on both canines and felines to
test if nutritional sources of phosphate could be utilized to
improve dental health.19,20 The studies were of a crossover
design, and utilized the guidelines set forth by the
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) for determining
dental benefits. In all studies, comparison diets were prepared
on the same manufacturing date to ensure that no
base ingredient differences existed in the formulations other
than the polyphosphate coating. To ensure no product had
a mechanical advantage, each dental diet was prepared with
the same shape and thickness as the corresponding control.
All testing was conducted in adult animals with normal
dentition. Animals were stratified into two groups with diets
randomly assigned to each group. Prior to study initiation,
all animals received prophylaxis to remove all supra- and
subgingival calculus deposits and plaque accumulation.
Following prophylaxis, diets were fed amounts calculated to
maintain body weight. After 28 days, animals were scored
for calculus coverage and underwent prophylaxis followed
by exposure to second
diet. Calculus coverage
was evaluated on I3, C,
P3, P4 and M1 in the
upper jaw and on C, P3,
P4 and M1 in the lower
jaw. The utilization of a
polyphosphate coating
did not impact animal
body weight or diet
consumption. Separate
studies also showed no
difference in calcium or
phosphorous absorption
or blood chemistry. The effect of diet on calculus accumulation
is shown in Tables 1 and 2.
A subsequent clinical study was conducted to evaluate
the effectiveness of the polyphosphate technology (Dental
Defense System™; DDS) on calculus accumulation when
incorporated into Eukanuba® Veterinary Diets (EVD)
Senior Plus. The study was designed and conducted to meet
or exceed VOHC guidelines. Thirty-three senior dogs (6 to
11 years of age) representing multiple breeds (3.6 to 60 kg)
were recruited and studied in a three period (35 days each),
double-blind crossover design. Health status of all dogs was
confirmed prior to study initiation by complete physical
examinations. At the initial clinical visit the dogs were
anesthetized with isoflurane and underwent a dental prophylaxis.
Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three
dietary treatment groups: 1) EVD Senior Plus with DDS, 2)
EVD Senior Plus without DDS, or 3) Hill’s® Prescription
Diet® Canine t/d®. Dogs consumed their respective diets for
35 days. At the conclusion of the feeding period, all dogs
underwent dental scoring, ultraviolet dental imaging, and
prophylaxis under the direction of the attending veterinarian.
Calculus coverage was evaluated on I3, C, P3, P4 and
Ml in the upper jaw and on C, P3, P4, and Ml in the lower
jaw. This protocol was repeated for the final two periods of
the study thereby allowing all dogs to be evaluated on each
of the three treatment diets. No other dental treatments
were used for the duration of the study. Data were evaluated
by the General Linear Models procedure for treatment,
period and animal effects. Means were compared by the
least square method when significant differences (P<.05)
were detected.
The results of this clinical study (Tables 3 and 4)
demonstrated that
1) calculus accumulation in dogs fed Eukanuba
Veterinary Diets Senior Plus with Dental Defense
System™ was reduced by 37% (P<.05) compared
with dogs fed Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d,
2) calculus accumulation in dogs fed Eukanuba
Veterinary Diet Senior Plus with Dental Defense
System™ was reduced by 43% (P<.05) compared
Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003 30
Diet Average calculus Percentage
score per tooth reduction
Eukanuba® Adult Maintenance 1.60 —
Eukanuba® Adult Maintenance 0.72* 55%
with Dental Defense System™
* Statistically significant at P<.05
Diet Average calculus Percentage
score per tooth reduction
Eukanuba® Chicken & Rice 0.80 —
Eukanuba® Chicken & Rice 0.44* 45%
with Dental Defense System™
* Statistically significant at P<.05
Table 2. Average dental calculus in cats fed diets with or without
polyphosphate (n=18)
Table 1. Average dental calculus in dogs fed diets with or without
polyphosphate (n=21)
to dogs fed EukanubaVeterinary Diet Senior Plus
without Dental Defense System™, and
3) calculus accumulation in dogs fed Hill’s®
Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® was reduced by 10%
compared with dogs fed EukanubaVeterinary Diet
Senior Plus without Dental Defense System™.
These data clearly document that improved dental calculus
control can be achieved in the senior dog by the provision
of polyphosphate technology (i.e., DDS) in the EVD
Senior Plus formula, compared to a dental diet relying solely
on abrasive technology. A further advantage to the DDS
technology is the ability to provide this dental benefit in
association with a dietary matrix specifically designed to
meet the unique nutritional needs of the senior animal.
CONCLUSION
Nutrition can play a key role in dental health. The
consistency of a diet, as well as the nutritional components,
can affect the rate of calculus accumulation. Given that
overall health problems increase with age, it is essential
that not only dental but also all age-related, diet-sensitive
problems be addressed on a daily basis through diet. With
special care in manufacturing, mineral components can be
utilized to provide daily dental benefits without altering
kibble size or nutritional value. Research has shown that
this approach can provide significant reductions in dental
calculus accumulation rates. More importantly, this nutritional
solution can be incorporated into a broad array of
products, such that nutritional needs of any lifestyle/life
stage for companion animals can be addressed along with
dental concerns.
Eukanuba is a registered trademark of The Iams Company. Dental Defense
System is a trademark of The Iams Company.
Hill’s, Prescription Diet, and t/d are registered trademarks of Colgate-
Palmolive Company and used under license by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Portions of this article were adapted from Lepine AJ, Cox ER, Murray, SM.
Recent advances in nutritionally managing oral health in the senior dog and
cat, in Proceedings. World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2002 World
Congress, Granada Spain; 2000; 25-30.
REFERENCES
1. Watson A. Diet and periodontal disease in dogs and cats. Aust Vet J
1994; 71:313-318.
2. Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 16th edition. Philadelphia: F.A.
Davis Co., 1989; 1364.
3. Eisner ER. Periodontal disease in pets: The Pathogenesis of a preventable
problem. Vet Med 1989; January:97-104.
4. Harvey CE. Periodontal disease in Dogs: Etiopathogenesis, prevalence,
and significance. Canine Dentistry 1998; 28:1111-1128.
5. Isogai H, Isogai E, Okamoto H, Shirakawa H, Nakamura F, Matsumoto
T, Watanabe T, Miura H, Aoi Y, Kagota W, Takano K.. Epidemiological
study on periodontal diseases and some other dental disoders in dogs.
Jpn J Vet Sci 1989; 51:1151-1162.
31 Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003
Diet Mean score SEM % Reduction vs EVD SP† % Reduction vs Typical dental diet
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Senior Plus 0.95 0.09 — —
Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® 0.85 0.09 10.0 —
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Senior Plus 0.53 0.09 43.0* 37.0*
with Dental Defense System™
† Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Senior Plus
* Statistically significant at P<.05
Table 3. Average dental calculus in senior dogs fed with or without polyphosphate compared to a typical dental diet (n=33)
Diet Tooth group Mean Score SEM % Reduction
Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® C 0.76 0.11 —
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Senior Plus C 0.37 0.11 51.0*
with Dental Defense System™
Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® P2P3P4 0.74 0.11 —
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Senior Plus P2P3P4 0.39 0.11 46.0*
with Dental Defense System™
Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® M1 1.27 0.12 —
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Senior Plus M1 1.13 0.12 11.0
with Dental Defense System™
* Statistically significant at P<.05
Table 4. Mean calculus score by tooth group in senior dogs fed with polyphosphate or a typical dental diet (n=33)
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periodondal health. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition IV, Mark Morris
Institute, 1997; 1-18.
7. DeBowes LJ. The effects of dental disease on systemic disease. Canine
Dentistry 1998; 28:1057-1062.
8. Black, AP, Crichlow, AM, Saunders, JR. Bacteremia during ultrasonic
teeth cleaning and extraction in the dog. JAAHA 1980; 16:611-616.
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10. Roundtable on building your practice with home dental care. Veterinary
Forum 2000; June:50-57.
11. O’Rourke JT. The relationship of the physical character of the diet to
the health of the periodontal tissues. Am J Orthdontology 1946;
33:687-700.
12. Burwasser P, Hill TJ. The effect of hard and soft diets on the gingival
tissue of dogs. J Dent Res 1939; 18:389-393.
13. Egelberg J. Local effect of diet on plaque formation and development of
gingivitis in dogs. I. Effect of hard and soft diets. Odont Rev 1965; 16:31-41.
14. Harvey CE, Shofer FS, Laster L. Correlation of diet, other chewing
activities and periodontal disease in North American client-owned dogs.
J Vet Dent 1996; 13:101-105.
15. Lage A, Lausen N, Tracy R, Allred E. Effect of chewing rawhide and
cereal biscuit on removal of dental calculus in dogs. JAVMA 1990;
197:213-219.
16. Duke A. How a chewing device affects calculus build-up in dogs. Vet
Med 1989; November:1110-1114.
17. Gorrel C. The role of a ‘dental hygiene chew’ in maintaining periodontal
health in dogs. J Vet Dent 1996; 13:31-34.
18. Gorrel C, Warrick J, Bierer TL. Effect of a new dental hygiene chew on
periodontal health in dogs. J Vet Dent 1999; 16:77-81.
19. Johnson, RB. Recent dental advances for companion animals through
dietary means, in Proceedings. TNAVC January 2002. Orlando, FL;
179-180.
20. Cox, ER, Lepine, AJ. Use of polyphosphates in canine diets to control
tartar. J Dent Res 2002; 81:A349 (Abstr.).
Recent Advances in Dental Health Management—2003 32

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1: J Vet Dent. 2002 Mar;19(1):15-8. Related Articles, Links


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

Logan EI, Finney O, Hefferren JJ.

Hill's Science and Technology Center, 1035 NE 43rd Street, Topeka, KS 66617, USA.

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.