Why is screening for gum disease important?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, doesn’t show many outward signs in the early stages and can be difficult to spot, sometimes resulting in chronic pain and even tooth loss if left untreated.1 It affects more than 80% of dogs over the age of three2 and is also linked to other major health complications such as heart, liver and kidney conditions.3 Using Toothcheck helps you as a pet owner to screen your dog for their risk status.

So how was Toothcheck developed?

The driving force behind Toothcheck is the risk checker developed by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. Scientists analysed electronic health records from 1 million dog visits to Banfield Pet Hospitals. They checked breed size, age, body condition and existing gum disease and discovered that the risk of gum disease was higher in smaller, older dogs who were either under or overweight.⁴

Next, scientists considered other signs, for example whether a dog has bleeding gums, bad breath, tartar, or has had previous tooth extractions due to gum disease. Working with expert veterinarians, these characteristics were also incorporated into the risk checker to refine it further.⁴

Finally, before creating Toothcheck for pet owners to use, the risk checker was tested against a further 2 million dog hospital visits to make sure it was working accurately, as well as it being evaluated independently by veterinarians and veterinary dentists to give it a seal of approval.⁴

And the result?

Toothcheck compares your dog’s information to the extensive data from Banfield Pet Hospitals, and gives your dog a score. This puts them into a high, medium or low risk category of having gum disease at this moment in time that helps you decide what to do next. Remember, while Toothcheck provides a good starting point, it is not a diagnostic tool – regular check-ups and proactive oral health management are essential for your dog's well-being. It’s never too late to begin daily toothbrushing and giving your dog regular dental chews that have the VOHC seal of approval! Don’t forget to book a dental check up with your veterinarian – particularly if your dog is in the medium- or high-risk category.

References:

1. Wallis C et al (2021). Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States, Vet J 275: 105717.
2. Kortegaard HA, Erikksen T and Baelum V (2008). Periodontal disease in research beagle dogs – an epidemiological study, J Small Anim Pract 49(12): 610-616.
3. O’Neill DG et al (2021). Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting, J Small Anim Pract 62(12): 1,051-1,061.
4. O’Rourke N et al (2022). Periodontal disease risk model for dogs (P14/abstract 345), WSAVA.

Disclaimer: Toothcheck does not diagnose gum disease in your dog – only your dog’s veterinarian can do this and can treat disease. The results you obtain from Toothcheck are not a clinical evaluation and are intended to raise awareness of the importance of your dog’s oral health. If you notice any problems in your dog’s mouth including bleeding gums, tartar or any discomfort then take them to their veterinarian for an oral health check.