Vancouver Feline Hospital - Cat Veterinary Clinic

Fluoride (O.4% stannous fluoride) - Gelstan
- If not using CET
- One drop finger application twice a week only
- No concern for toxicity if used as prescribed
- Desensitises dentine - makes cat more comfortable
- Still get progression of cavities
- Mild antibacterial effect

Fluoride varnish lasts less than two weeks (not six months) so has no application in feline dentistry today.

Oxyfresh gel - Stabilised chlorine dioxide "Oxygene", Zinc acetate, chamomile, Aloe Vera

1. - Used by human dentists, considered as a petstore product, studies lacking in cats - marketing relies on testimonials
2. - Causes an oxidation reduction reaction to the sulfur bonds of volatile sulfur compounds (bad breath), these are compounds are considered to be the first step in the destruction of normal healthy gums.
3. - Apparently does not break down into carcinogenic trihalomethanes and is "considered" safe to purify water.
4. - Aloe vera is listed as toxic to cats, causing vomition, anorexia, and is used as a herbal remedy to induce diarrhea.

Drinking water additives - unlikely to help cats - they lap so the water goes onto tongue and straight to back of mouth and into stomach, versus dogs who "slosh and slop". Also a concern about safety of what cat ingests.

Mouthrinse/Sprays - we really don't think cats will tolerate a mouthrinse or a spray.

Other herbal / "natural" products - use with caution. Secondary or primary liver disease in cats may be linked to many herbal products considered safe in dogs and humans.

Dental diets

• Cats do not CHEW - those teeth are meat knives, not grinders. Neither canned nor dry diets have been proven to prevent or cause periodontal disease in cats.
• Must be labelled by dental council as tested and proving claims
• The new dental diets may just be coated with the sodium hexametaphosphate but do not have the fibre alignment that scrapes the teeth clean
• Dry kibble has no cleaning effect
• Raw foods
• If fibrous - yes good for teeth but they must take time to try cut through the fibres
• Bones cause tooth fractures - more harm than good
• Gastric upsets, salmonellosis, other food-borne diseases are of major concern when feeding raw diets
• Complete mineral and vitamin balance of diet a major concern
• Diet needs to be tailored to the pet, cats do not tolerate many of the ingredients used and some of the ingredients cannot be considered "natural" for a cat
• T/D does what it claims - the fibre alignment is unique, it removes plaque, reduces build-up of tartar and gingivitis and is optimum nutrition for adult cats. Science Diet Oral Care is similar to T/D (same manufacturer). Effective in 1/3 cats.
• CET chews compliment dental diets
• Dental treats - wishful thinking

None of these products alone or together can be a replacement for proper dental prophylaxis. Calculus needs to be removed and teeth properly cleaned and polished. Some cats may need dental cleaning more often than others.

As the cat gets older, so the teeth and gums do not repair themselves as effectively, tartar build-up occurs more rapidly and the normal anatomy of the tooth and gumline is disrupted. So if your cat has periodontal disease (whether minor with just bad breath, gingivitis and only one tooth more affected; or whether major with that wonderful pus oozing out from under the gums and you cannot see the tooth because its covered in tartar) then you should be consulting your veterinarian and discussing an appropriate dental care plan.

Sources:
These notes have been compiled from conference and continuing education proceedings, in part based on the notes of board certified veterinary dental specialists.