Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds
Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs worldwide and is reported to be particularly prevalent in racing greyhounds. A range of potential risk factors have been hypothesised. Previous research has suggested that regular tooth brushing can reduce both calculus and ging...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/1869 |
| _version_ | 1797529052644376576 |
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| author | Nicola J. Rooney Katharine L. Wonham Katherine S. McIndoe Rachel A. Casey Emily J. Blackwell William J. Browne |
| author_facet | Nicola J. Rooney Katharine L. Wonham Katherine S. McIndoe Rachel A. Casey Emily J. Blackwell William J. Browne |
| author_sort | Nicola J. Rooney |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs worldwide and is reported to be particularly prevalent in racing greyhounds. A range of potential risk factors have been hypothesised. Previous research has suggested that regular tooth brushing can reduce both calculus and gingivitis, but the frequency required is unclear. Here, we report a controlled blinded in situ trial, in which kennel staff brushed 160 racing greyhounds’ teeth (living at six kennel establishments), either weekly, daily or never over a two-month period. All of the visible teeth were scored for calculus and gingivitis, using previously validated scales. We calculated average scores for each of the three teeth groups and overall whole mouth scores, averaging the teeth groups. Changes were compared to the baseline. After two months, the total calculus scores (controlling for baseline) were significantly different in the three treatment groups, (F<sub>(2,129)</sub> = 10.76, <i>p</i> < 0.001) with both weekly and daily brushing resulting in significant reductions. Gingivitis was also significantly different between groups (F<sub>(2,128)</sub> = 4.57, <i>p</i> = 0.012), but in this case, only daily brushing resulted in a significant reduction. Although the dogs in different kennels varied significantly in their levels of both calculus (F<sub>(5,129)</sub> = 8.64, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and gingivitis (F<sub>(5,128)</sub> = 3.51 <i>p</i> = 0.005), the intervention was similarly effective in all of the establishments. The teeth groups varied, and the incisors were not significantly affected by the treatment. Since the trainers implementing the routine, reported a minimal time commitment and positive experiences, we suggest that daily brushing is recommended for racing greyhounds, and that any instructions or demonstrations should include attention to all teeth groups including the incisors. Similar trials need to be conducted with retired greyhounds since these have been shown to present particularly high levels of periodontal disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:08:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eace8d38a5f544c4af066b43a26ada34 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:08:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-eace8d38a5f544c4af066b43a26ada342023-11-22T01:23:55ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-06-01117186910.3390/ani11071869Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing GreyhoundsNicola J. Rooney0Katharine L. Wonham1Katherine S. McIndoe2Rachel A. Casey3Emily J. Blackwell4William J. Browne5School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS29 6BN, UKSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS29 6BN, UKSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS29 6BN, UKDog’s Trust, London UB9 6JW, UKSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS29 6BN, UKSchool of Education, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1JA, UKPeriodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs worldwide and is reported to be particularly prevalent in racing greyhounds. A range of potential risk factors have been hypothesised. Previous research has suggested that regular tooth brushing can reduce both calculus and gingivitis, but the frequency required is unclear. Here, we report a controlled blinded in situ trial, in which kennel staff brushed 160 racing greyhounds’ teeth (living at six kennel establishments), either weekly, daily or never over a two-month period. All of the visible teeth were scored for calculus and gingivitis, using previously validated scales. We calculated average scores for each of the three teeth groups and overall whole mouth scores, averaging the teeth groups. Changes were compared to the baseline. After two months, the total calculus scores (controlling for baseline) were significantly different in the three treatment groups, (F<sub>(2,129)</sub> = 10.76, <i>p</i> < 0.001) with both weekly and daily brushing resulting in significant reductions. Gingivitis was also significantly different between groups (F<sub>(2,128)</sub> = 4.57, <i>p</i> = 0.012), but in this case, only daily brushing resulted in a significant reduction. Although the dogs in different kennels varied significantly in their levels of both calculus (F<sub>(5,129)</sub> = 8.64, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and gingivitis (F<sub>(5,128)</sub> = 3.51 <i>p</i> = 0.005), the intervention was similarly effective in all of the establishments. The teeth groups varied, and the incisors were not significantly affected by the treatment. Since the trainers implementing the routine, reported a minimal time commitment and positive experiences, we suggest that daily brushing is recommended for racing greyhounds, and that any instructions or demonstrations should include attention to all teeth groups including the incisors. Similar trials need to be conducted with retired greyhounds since these have been shown to present particularly high levels of periodontal disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/1869teethgreyhoundinterventionbrushingcalculusgingivitis |
| spellingShingle | Nicola J. Rooney Katharine L. Wonham Katherine S. McIndoe Rachel A. Casey Emily J. Blackwell William J. Browne Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds Animals teeth greyhound intervention brushing calculus gingivitis |
| title | Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds |
| title_full | Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds |
| title_fullStr | Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds |
| title_short | Weekly and Daily Tooth Brushing by Care Staff Reduces Gingivitis and Calculus in Racing Greyhounds |
| title_sort | weekly and daily tooth brushing by care staff reduces gingivitis and calculus in racing greyhounds |
| topic | teeth greyhound intervention brushing calculus gingivitis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/1869 |
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