Abstract:

[Objective] This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic toothpaste for pet use produced by a company in relieving the formation of dental plaque and calculus in dogs. [Method] Ten adult Beagle dogs with healthy oral cavity and good physical condition were randomly divided into a negative control group （n=5） and a probiotic toothpaste group （n=5）. The negative control group was fed with dog food alone, and the probiotic toothpaste group was given about 4 g probiotic toothpaste per dog twice a day for consecutive 28 days after each meal. The teeth of all the experimental dogs were cleaned and polished on day 0 of experiment. The dental plaque were scored on day 14 and day 29 of experiment, respectively. The dental calculus and the concentrations of volatile compounds （H₂S+CH₃SH） in oral gas were scored and assessed on day 29 of experiment, respectively. Probiotic toothpaste was defined as having a significant efficacy when the mean values of scores regarding dental plaque and calculus formation as well as those of concentrations of volatile compounds in oral gas were reduced by 15% or higher. [Result] Compared with the control group, the mean values of scores regarding dental plaque formation of the probiotic toothpaste group were decreased by -0.36% （P>0.05） and 21.47% （P<0.05） on day 14 and day 29 of experiment, respectively; the mean values of score regarding dental calculus formation and concentrations of volatile compounds in oral gas of the probiotic toothpaste group were dropped by 6.54% （P>0.05） and -44.59% （P>0.05） on day 29 of experiment, respectively. [Conclusion] Within the experimental period, the tested probiotic toothpaste effectively inhibited the formation of dental plaque in Beagle dogs, but had no efficacy on relieving the formation of dental calculus and reducing the concentrations of volatile compounds in oral gas.

Key words: probiotic toothpaste, canine, dental plaque, dental calculus