Distribution of dental and gingival diseases in dogs

Objective: Tooth and gingival diseases are well-known as one of the most common diseases in dogs. The presence of dental and gingival diseases, as well as some clinical findings related to these diseases that can be observed in dogs based on visual examination of the oral cavity, were investigated and examined in the present thesis. Also, the awareness of dog owners regarding their pets' oral health was assessed. Materials and Methods: A total of 2581 diseases and findings were recorded in 1082 dogs from different breeds, genders, and age groups. The descriptive statistics of the animals included in the study were classified and presented according to gender, age, breed, awareness of the patients, and the presence of malocclusion. The relationships between the disease and clinical findings and age, feeding type, gender, breed, tooth groups, awareness of the owners, and the presence of malocclusion were examined. The data were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-Square test. Results: A total of 1082 dogs, 645 male, and 437 female, were recorded in the present thesis. There were 669 dogs with an age range of 19-108 months (n=669) and 55 dogs with an age range of 0-9 months (n=55). Large breed dogs were recorded the most (n=457), while small breed dogs were recorded the least (n=259). While mixed feeding was found to be the most preferred among the feeding groups (n=499), canned food was the least preferred (n=22). It was found that 367 (n=367) dog owners in the present study were aware of their dog's dental and gingival diseases. A total of 2581 teeth and gingival problems were detected. Abnormal tooth orientation (n=483) and missing teeth (n=467) were the most common dental and gingival problems, followed by gingival recession (n=297), periodontal pocket (n=266), broken tooth (n=243), enamel hypoplasia (n=226), decayed tooth (n=188), gingival hyperplasia (n=150), bifurcation (n=75), tumor (n=56), ulcer (n=55), excess tooth (n=55) and gingival bleeding (n=20). In dogs 109 months and older who enrolled in the study, the presence of diseases was found to be higher than expected (P<0.001) in all dental groups. In all dental groups of dogs fed with canned food, the presence of diseases was higher than expected (P<0.001). In female dogs, the presence of dental diseases was found in higher numbers than expected in the incisive, canine, and premolar tooths (P<0.001). In all dental groups of small breed dogs, the presence of diseases was higher than expected (P<0.001). In all dental groups of small breed dogs, the presence of diseases was higher than expected (P<0.001). Malocclusion was more common in large breed dogs (n=96) rather than small breed dogs (n=59). Only the incisive tooth group in medium breed dogs without malocclusion and dental disease (n=149) had a lower number of diseases than expected (P<0.001), while the canine and premolar tooth groups in large breed dogs with dental disease (n=148, n=104) had a lower number of diseases than expected (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings of the present thesis, dog owners have little awareness of their dogs' oral health. Age has been found as a predisposing factor for dental and gingival diseases in small breed dogs. While abnormal tooth eruption was found to be the most commonly observed disease in this study, the incisive tooth group was found to be the most affected. Female dogs are more susceptible to dental and gingival diseases than male dogs. When the whole thesis is considered, it is thought that more research into the oral, dental, and gingival health of dogs is required, with consideration of evaluating the breed, age, and feeding groups for specific diseases.