Tooth brushing inhibits oral bacteria

The incidence of periodontal diseases increases in dogs when they become older, and approximately 80% of dogs have some stage of periodontal disease. The most common procedure to treat periodontal diseases in dogs is scaling, which should be performed under general anesthesia. Owing to the risks of anesthesia, it may be difficult to obtain consent from the owners. Even if consent is obtained, the only treatment option for dogs with severe periodontal disease is tooth extraction. Therefore, prevention is more important than treatment in case of periodontal disease.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Dentistry Source Type: research