The role of tooth-brushing and diet in the maintenance of periodontal health in dogs.
Tooth-brushing every other day did not maintain clinically healthy gingivae in dogs. The daily addition of a dental hygiene chew to a regimen of tooth brushing every other day reduced the gingivitis scores and reduced the accumulation of dental deposits (plaque, calculus and stain). Daily tooth-brushing should be the recommendation to the dog owner irrespective of dietary regimen. Providing a dental hygiene chew daily seems to give an added health benefit when tooth-brushing is less frequent, and provides the pet owner with a useful adjunct for homecare.
Gorrel
C
C
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Leics., United Kingdom.
Rawlings
J M
JM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000662:veterinary*