How to Treat Canine Dental Calculus: Is it Curable?

Many dog owners avoid professional dental cleaning for their pets, fearing potential complications during the procedure. However, this can lead to severe dental calculus buildup, potentially resulting in periodontal disease, inflammation, and ultimately, tooth extraction. Let’s delve into the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of canine dental calculus.

I. What is Canine Dental Calculus?

Unlike humans who regularly brush their teeth, dogs rarely develop this habit naturally. Establishing a tooth-brushing routine from puppyhood is crucial, but even then, it can be challenging. Dental calculus begins as a soft substance that gradually hardens through calcification. It typically forms on the tooth surface near salivary gland openings and the neck of the tooth. Its composition includes calcium phosphate, organic matter, manganese phosphate, calcium mineral acid, and trace amounts of potassium, sodium, and iron. Visually, it appears yellow, brown, or black.

II. Causes of Canine Dental Calculus

Several factors contribute to the formation of dental calculus in dogs:

1. Reduced Carbon Dioxide Levels in Saliva: Lowered carbon dioxide concentrations in saliva promote the precipitation of inorganic salts onto the tooth surface.

2. Phosphate Enzyme Activity: The phosphatase enzymes from degraded cells hydrolyze organic phosphorus, releasing phosphorus that precipitates on the teeth, forming calculus.

3. Altered Saliva pH: Bacterial activity can increase saliva pH, making it more alkaline. This leads to protein breakdown in saliva, releasing calcium salts that precipitate and contribute to calculus formation.

4. Dietary Habits: Diet plays a significant role, with no particular breed, gender, or age predisposition. Poor oral hygiene is a major contributing factor in dogs of all types. Dietary habits and structural abnormalities of teeth, such as retained deciduous teeth (baby teeth), which create spaces where food debris can accumulate, also significantly impact dental calculus formation.

5. Tissue Irritation and Infection: Dental calculus acts as a foreign body, continuously irritating the periodontal tissues. It can press against the gums, affecting blood circulation and leading to bacterial infections, gum inflammation (gingivitis), and gum recession. This creates periodontal pockets.

6. The Vicious Cycle of Periodontal Disease: Once periodontal pockets form, they trap food particles, bacteria, and calculus, further damaging the periodontal ligaments and supporting structures. This creates a vicious cycle that, if left untreated, will ultimately result in complete destruction of the supporting tissues and necessitate tooth extraction.

III. Clinical Symptoms of Canine Dental Calculus

Owners often notice a foul odor from their dog’s mouth. Visible signs include plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. Regular visual inspection of your dog’s teeth is crucial to identify abnormal plaque, tartar, or calculus.

IV. Treatment of Canine Dental Calculus

The rate of formation, shape, and hardness of dental calculus vary among dogs. Newly formed calculus takes 12-15 hours to solidify. Rapidly formed calculus tends to be softer and more easily broken down than slowly formed calculus. Initially, calculus is soft. Early plaque and tartar can be managed with pet-specific toothpaste and a toothbrush, provided your dog cooperates. However, treatment approaches depend on the severity and stage:

1. Early-Stage Calculus: Soft, newly formed calculus can often be removed with thorough brushing using a pet-specific toothbrush and toothpaste.

2. Established Calculus: Once calculus has hardened, ultrasonic scaling is necessary. A veterinary professional uses an ultrasonic scaler to vibrate the calculus, breaking it away from the tooth surface. This procedure usually requires sedation or anesthesia.

3. Advanced Periodontal Disease: Severe cases require a comprehensive approach addressing not only the calculus but also the underlying periodontal disease. This often includes professional cleaning, antibiotic therapy, and possibly extraction of severely damaged teeth. In cases of severe dental calculus, it’s important to rule out potential complications such as bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart lining). Cardiac ultrasound and ECG may be necessary to assess the risk associated with anesthesia before dental procedures.

V. Post-Treatment Considerations

The success of treatment depends on the severity of the periodontal damage. Mild cases with minimal periodontal damage respond well to professional cleaning. However, severe cases with extensive periodontal ligament damage and exposed roots show less favorable outcomes.

VI. Additional Methods and Prevention

While professional cleaning remains the most effective treatment, several strategies can help manage and prevent dental calculus:

Daily Brushing: Using a pet-specific toothbrush and toothpaste is the cornerstone of prevention. This helps remove plaque before it hardens into calculus.

Dental Chews and Toys: Harder, textured chews can help mechanically remove some plaque. However, these should be used in addition to brushing, not as a replacement.

Dental Wipes: Dental wipes can be a helpful addition to brushing, especially for dogs that are difficult to brush.

Veterinary Dental Products: Veterinary clinics offer various dental gels and sprays that can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. However, they do not replace brushing.

Dietary Changes: A balanced diet with appropriate fiber content can help minimize food residue accumulation. Limiting sugary treats is also crucial.

Regular Veterinary Checkups: Regular dental examinations allow for early detection and treatment of dental issues, preventing them from escalating into severe problems.

In conclusion, while dental calculus is treatable, prevention through diligent oral hygiene is paramount. Regular brushing, a balanced diet, and routine veterinary checkups are essential to maintain your dog’s oral health and prevent the need for extensive dental interventions. If your dog shows any signs of dental calculus or periodontal disease, consult your veterinarian immediately for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.