Banfield's Research Team Releases Latest Knowledge About Pet Dental Health

PORTLAND, Ore.—February 12, 2010—In conjunction with February’s National Pet Dental Month, Banfield’s Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) team has released new findings to help Pet owners maintain and improve the health of their Pets’ teeth. Banfield’s BARK team conducts ongoing research in the field of veterinary medicine based upon the data from the nearly 115,000 office visits Banfield hospitals perform each week.

BARK research supports findings that periodontal disease is the most common disorder affecting cats and dogs worldwide. Informal estimates put the prevalence of some form of gingivitis and periodontal disease in Pets is as high as 85 percent. Classified by the degree of deviation from healthy teeth and gums, the severity of dental disease is labeled by six stages, which is also supported by BARK findings. These stages range from mild plaque and gingivitis, to gingival recession and degradation of the periodontal ligament, to significant inflammation and loss of teeth.

According to the latest BARK research, the top canine purebreds predisposed to periodontal disease, characterized by inflammation and loss of deep supporting structures of teeth and gums, are as follows (listed from greatest to least):

1. Toy Poodle 15. Miniature Schnauzer
2. Yorkshire Terrier 16. American Cocker Spaniel
3. Maltese 17. Basset Hound
4. Pomeranian 18. Cock-A-Poo
5. Shetland Sheepdog 19. Chihuahua
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 20. Welsh Corgi
7. Papillion 21. Rat Terrier
8. Standard Poodle 22. Lhasa Apso
9. Dachshund 23. Fox Terrier
10. Havanese 24. Jack Russell Terrier
11. Bichon Frise 25. Miniature Pinscher
12. Beagle 26. Pekingese
13. West Highland White Terrier 27. Shih Tzu
14. Collie 28. American Eskimo

“All breeds need regular professional cleanings, but with regard to the top breeds at risk, professional dental cleanings and compliance with at-home care of the health of teeth and gums is especially crucial,” said Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield. “Although dental disease can occur rapidly at any age, risk factors for developing periodontal disease in dogs can include increasing age, small breed size and neutering. Periodontal disease has also been associated with changes in a Pets’ kidneys, liver and cardiac functions—in short, unhealthy teeth can lead to an unhealthy Pet in ways Pet owners can’t imagine.”

Professional cleanings are vital because they include measures Pet owners can’t take at home, such as a thorough exam of a Pet’s teeth and gums, dental radiographs to evaluate the overall health of the teeth, checking for bone loss and abscesses and the use of special tools to remove invisible film, plaque and calculus from the teeth. Banfield recommends yearly professional cleanings as well as at-home preventive care.

“At-home dental care is the gold standard in prevention of dental disease. We recommend brushing your Pets’ teeth at least twice per week if not every day,” said Karen Johnson, DVM, vice president and client advocate for Banfield. “In addition to professional cleanings, our veterinarians are trained to provide a manageable at-home dental routine that Pet owners can easily follow. At Banfield, preventive care is the cornerstone of our practice—to us, proper dental care is just as important to the long-term health of a Pet as routine vaccinations.”

Proper at-home preventive dental care also includes feeding your Pet a firm, kibbled food specially formulated to reduce tartar accumulation, use of specially-formulated hygiene chews and dental specific water additives.

About Banfield, The Pet Hospital
Founded in Portland, Ore., in 1955, Banfield has become the largest Pet general veterinary practice in the world, with more than 750 hospitals in neighborhoods across the United States. More than 2,000 veterinarians at Banfield are committed to giving Pets the highest quality of veterinary care. Banfield hospitals offer a full range of comprehensive medical services, computerized medical records, preventive care plans for Pets and extended operating hours. Banfield is the only veterinary practice in the world with an extensive quality assurance program. Banfield, The Pet Hospital helps extend the lives of millions of Pets each year through our Optimum Wellness Plans. For journalists seeking more information, please visit our press room at http://www.banfield.net/press-room or contact our Media Hotline at 888-355-0595 (no sales calls, please).