Pomegranate-flavored mouthwash for dogs could prevent gum disease

By Pol Allingham via SWNS

A new pomegranate-flavored mouthwash for pooches could prevent doggie gum disease, according to new research.

Periodontal disease affects at least 80 percent of dogs over three, and not enough people brush their dog's teeth to prevent it.

It starts as red and inflamed gingivitis gums but can lead to periodontitis, which impacts the bone and can cause the pup’s teeth to fall out. Periodontitis can even increase the risk of heart and lung disease.

Vets recommend that owners regularly brush their dogs’ teeth but few do because some dogs won’t co-operate, and the task is onerous.

Now, the researchers have developed a potential over-the-counter product that could be added to their drinking bowls to prevent it.

Vet Aquadent FR3SH was produced by the French veterinary company Virbac, who funded the study.

After 30 days drinking drops of the pomegranate additive, the dogs had 47 per cent less plaque, 24 per cent less tartar, and their gums were completely healthy.

The researchers, writing in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, said Vet Aquadent FR3SH can limit the amount of plaque and tartar that reforms after dogs’ teeth have been professionally cleaned.

Dr. Jerzy Gawor, a veterinary dentistry practitioner at Arka Veterinary Clinic, and lead author of a new study, said: “Here we show that an additive to drinking water, based on pomegranate extract, can reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar in dogs.

“This additive thus helps dogs to maintain healthy gums, and may ultimately help to limit the occurrence of periodontal disease.

“Daily oral hygiene and prophylaxis are essential to prevent periodontal diseases in dogs.

"This includes active methods like brushing, passive methods like dental chews or water additives, or a combination, as well as regular clinical dental checks.

“The frequency of the latter should depend on the dog’s age, breed, size, and predisposition, as determined by veterinary clinicians,”

The researchers were blinded in the randomized trial of the product, which started with the team studying the progress of plaque and tartar build-up in 40 dogs with mild to moderate gingivitis, who were otherwise healthy.

They followed the dogs - from 14 breeds ranging from Yorkshire terriers to Alaskan huskies- for 30 days after one professional dental cleaning session.

The pooches’ oral health was assessed, including periodontal probing, dental charting and mouth radiography and the vets cleaned and polished their teeth to remove all the plaque and tartar.

Each pup was randomly allocated to one of two teams: one receiving Vet Aquadent FR3SH in their drinking water every day for 30 days, and the other receiving water only.

None of the dogs had their teeth brush during the course of the study.

Dr. Celine Nicolas, who works at Virbac, said: “We did this study after obtaining evidence that the main ingredient, pomegranate extract, limits the growth of oral bacteria in dogs in vitro, including species involved in periodontal disease.

“There was also evidence that the other components, inulin and erythritol, likewise play a role in the maintenance of a healthy oral microbiome in dogs.”