http://www.sdds.org/images/ToothFairy&title.psd.

gif

The TOOFairies’
‘TOOFpaste’ Conundrum
Humans have human
toothpaste while dogs
have their special
toothpaste.

Do you think that

humans can use dog
toothpaste or vice
http://inventorspot.com/files/images/gel_toothpaste.jpg versa?
 Overview
• Definition of key terms in question
Definition of Key Terms
Overview
 Man VS Beast
Round 1 – Tooth Anatomy
Total number of teeth per
dentition

http://www.seefido.com/html/i
nternal_dog_morphology.htm
Number of teeth in one jaw
(Permanent dentition)

<

<

<

<
Functions of each type of
teeth
Components of dog teeth
Chemical composition

Thus, approximately the same!

http://www.dentalvet.com/vets/basicdentistry/dental_anatomy.htm http://www.biochemj.org/bj/030/1567/0301567.pdf
http://www.seefido.com/html/internal_dog_morphology.htm
 Maxillary Arcade
www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/

Humans

Dogs
Mandibular Arcade

www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/
Overview
 Fermentable Streptococcus
carbohydrates Mutans; Lactobacilli

Plaque
ACIDS
Critical pH ~ 5.5

With
time

Saliva Caries
(bicarbonate “buffer”)
http://www.christinas-home-remedies.com/image-files/toothache-tooth-anatomy.jpg
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3027286
 the Oral
E nv i r o n m en t
in
Hu m an s ! 1. Saliva
2. Bacteria
3. Diet
 1a. Saliva - pH
• Human’s healthy pH
ranges from 6.5-7.0.

• If pH drops to or below
the critical pH of around
5.5, demineralisation
(dissolution of
hydroxyapatite) can occur.
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0866l.jpg

http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-69/issue-11/722.pdf
 1a. Saliva - pH
• Critical pH can vary between
5.1-6.5
• Factors affecting critical pH
include
a) Levels of calcium &
phosphate in saliva. Greater
levels = less demineralisation
b) Enamel region – fluoroapatite
on surface of enamel more
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0866l.jpg resistant to demineralisation

http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-69/issue-11/722.pdf
 1b. Saliva – Amylase Enzyme
• Human’s salivary
glands produce salivary
amylase

• Initiates breakdown of
starch into smaller
carbohydrates
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0866l.jpg

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_Enzymes_found_in_Saliva
 1b. Saliva – Amylase Enzyme
• Carbohydrates produced
serve as substrate for
cariogenic bacteria
(produce acids)

• Over time,
demineralisation &
caries formation 
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0866l.jpg

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_Enzymes_found_in_Saliva
 2. Bacteria Flora
• Acidogenic (hence cariogenic): Streptococcus mutans
- Transport sugars and
convert them to acid
- Produce extracellular &
intracellular
polysaccharides Lactobacillus

• Aciduric:
- Thrive at low pH
http://www.ronaldschulte.nl/Streptococcus-mutans-kl.jpg

http://www.community.nestle.com/NR/rdonlyres/B4425001-
Essentials of Dental Caries– Edwina A. M. Kidd
9D3F-46A3-8DB3-8F7C2062E388/60149/japan_lactic.jpg
 3. Dietary Intake
• Frequent intake of sugary
and acidic food
– Simple sugars diffuse
readily into plaque 
metabolised by bacteria
quickly
– Acidic environment
maintained for caries
formation

• Caries incidence tends to

be greater  http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/images/February%202005%20cartoon.jpg

Essentials of Dental Caries– Edwina A. M. Kidd

 the Oral
Env i ro n me n t
in Dogs!
1. Saliva
2. Bacteria
3. Diet
 1a. Saliva - pH
• Less acidic (pH of ~9)
• High pH of dog saliva lowers the
susceptibility of dogs to an acidic
environment (to reach its critical
pH)
• Thus prevents the subsequent
demineralization of enamel
which would occur

• Lower incidence of caries and

cavitation 
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/19/take_your_dog_to_workd_ay.jpg
 1b. Saliva – Amylase Enzyme
• Unlike several other
mammals (homo sapiens
inclusive),

• The parotid salivary

gland of dog does not
produce salivary
amylase

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/19/take_your_dog_to_workd_ay.jpg
 1b. Saliva – Amylase Enzyme
• So, digestion of starch
only commences in the
latter part of the dog’s
digestive tract.

• No digestion of starch
(carbohydrates) occurs
in the mouth of the dog.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/19/take_your_dog_to_workd_ay.jpg
 1b. Saliva – Amylase Enzyme
• Hence, no glucose
molecules are formed in
the dog’s mouth.
• Less amount of
fermentable substrate for
bacteria (which otherwise
would cause acidic environment)
• Lower incidence of caries
and cavitation 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/19/take_your_dog_to_workd_ay.jpg
 2. Bacteria Flora
The American Veterinary Dental Society suggests:
• Bacteria in dogs do not tend to cause the acids
that cause caries and hence cavities
• Thus, bacteria flora in dogs is less cariogenic
• Lower incidence of caries and cavitation 

http://www.avds-
online.org/info/cavities.html
American Veterinary Dental Society
 3. Dietary Intake
• Unless fed by owners,
dogs rarely consume
sugary or acidic foods

• Cariogenic bacteria
have less “substrate”
to act upon. http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/images/Dogs/d/d7
/Dog_Food.jpg

http://www.avds-
online.org/info/cavities.html
American Veterinary Dental Society
 3. Dietary Intake
• Less acid (formic,
acetic, and lactic
acids) is formed.

• Lower incidence of
caries and cavitation
 http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/images/Dogs/d/d7
/Dog_Food.jpg

http://www.avds-
online.org/info/cavities.html
American Veterinary Dental Society
It appears that dogs’ teeth are very similar to that
of Man, hence we should be able to use human
toothpaste on dogs & vice versa

BUT…

The oral environment of dogs make them less

susceptible to caries. Does this difference
justify the need for special dog toothpaste?

LET’S LOOK AT…

Overview
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/17/2/49/51/
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/
Correspondence with Four Paws Products Ltd
Composition of Dog and Human Toothpaste
Similarities
Sorbitol = Artificial sweetener
Hydrated Silica = Abrasive
Glycerin = Humectant
(prevents chemical or physical
decomposition by maintaining
moisture)
Cellulose Gum & Xanthan Gum
= Stabiliser & thickener

Differences
Sodium Monofluorophosphate =
Provides flouride… for…
acrylic PVM/MA copolymer =
Prevent bacteria from breaking
down pyrophosphates

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate =

Creates foam & keeps
toothpaste in mouth

Flavours and Oils =

Taste and preference Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin = Deodouriser
 How does Fluoride work?
‘Thus, senior dental administrators, scientists, and dental
professional organizations should make it clear to the public
that fluoride controls the progression of
caries rather than prevents its
initiation. Therefore, there is a life-time need for
fluoride to be continually available in the oral environment.
Removal of fluoride from water supplies and/or dental
products would ultimately result in overt cavitation of teeth
occurring at the prevalence and severity observed years ago.’
[B.H. Clarkson: Caries Prevention – Fluoride, Adv Dent Res 5:41-25, Dec 1991]

http://www.ada.org.au/app_cmslib/media/l
ib/0707/m87153_v1_fluoridation%20web
%20front%20new560.jpg
Cariostatic Mechanisms
of Fluoride
Cariostatic Mechanisms
of Fluoride
1) Firmly Bound fluoride in enamel (Fluorapatite)

[Ogaard et al, 1988. Microradiographic study of

demineralisation of shark enamel in a human caries model.
Scand. J. Dent. Res. 96, 209-11]
Cariostatic Mechanisms
of Fluoride
 2) CaF2 on enamel
surface
CaF2 observed as spherical
globules on the enamel after
fluoride treatment (brushing)
At neutral pH 7,
phosphate/proteins are
adsorbed on to the CaF2
globules & inhibit their
dissolution rate.

[Ogaard,B (1988). Application of acid-etching techniques for

fluoride determination on enamel after topical fluoride treatment.
Acta Odontol. Scand. 46, 337-40]
G. Embery & G. Rolla. (1992) Clinical & Biological Aspects of
Dentifrices. pp. 307 Oxford University Press
 2) CaF2 on enamel
surface
During cariogenic attack
(pH 4.5-5.5)
phosphate/protein coating
on CaF2 globules is
desorbed & its dissolution
rate increases.
Fluoride released from
globules adsorb onto the
enamel crystallites & inhibit
further demineralisation &
reprecipitate mineral lost
(remineralisation)
G. Embery & G. Rolla. (1992) Clinical & Biological Aspects of
Dentifrices. pp. 307 Oxford University Press
 2) CaF2 on enamel
surface
After the cariogenic attack,
dissolution rate of globules
is reduced by adsorption of
phosphate/protein coatings
again when the pH returns
back to neutral.
A fluoridated apatite is
precipitated in the enamel
surface layer of the lesion.

G. Embery & G. Rolla. (1992) Clinical & Biological Aspects of

Dentifrices. pp. 307 Oxford University Press
Cariostatic Mechanisms of
Fluoride
3) Inhibitory action of fluoride on plaque
bacteria
Main acids in plaque produced by S. mutans are
formic, acetic, and lactic acids.

Fluoride inhibits this acid-producing ability of the plaque

bacteria by interfering with carbohydrate degradation in a
few ways:

a) Inhibition of bacteria’s enolase (Aka phosphopyruvate

dehydratase). Enolase catalyses 2-Phosphoglycerate (2-
PG) to Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). Hence, glycolytic
pathway & fermentation unable to proceed.
 3) Inhibitory action of fluoride on plaque
bacteria
b) Inhibition of bacteria’s sugar uptake via
phosphotransferase systems.

Milton H. Saier, Jr. (1977) Bacterial Phosphoenolpyruvate:Sugar Phosphotransferase Systems: Structural, Functional, and
Evolutionary Interrelationships. p. 856-871American Society for Microbiology vol. 41, No. 4
3) Inhibitory action of fluoride on plaque
bacteria

c) Inhibition of proton carriers in the bacteria, causing a

lowering of the intracellular pH, thereby inhibiting the
activity of the bacteria’s various glycolytic enzymes.
Glucose

Fructose-1,6-phosphate

DHAP Glyceraldehydes 3-phosphate (G3P)

NAD+ , H+ G3P dehydrogenase
NADH
1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
It appears that dogs teeth are very similar to that of Man, hence we should be able
to use human toothpaste on dogs & vice versa

BUT…
The oral environment of dogs make them less susceptible to caries. Does this
difference justify the need for special dog toothpaste?

LET’S LOOK AT…

The difference between human & dog toothpaste is

fluoride. We have seen the wonderful benefits of
fluoride, so why not fluoride in dog toothpaste?

THIS IS BECAUSE…
Fluoride toxicity levels (Ingested)
http://www.naturalnews.com/cartoons/Fluoride_Water_Main_150.jpg

Acute Toxic effects of

Fluoride
http://www.naturalnews.com/cartoons/Fluoride_Water_Main_150.jpg

Acute Toxic effects of

Fluoride

• Gastrointestinal: Hypersalivation, Nausea, Diarrhea,

Abdominal pain

Mechanism: Formation of hydrofluoric acid in stomach

& inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.
http://www.naturalnews.com/cartoons/Fluoride_Water_Main_150.jpg

Acute Toxic effects of

Fluoride

• Electrolyte Abnormalities: Hypocalcemia, Hyperkalemia

Mechanism: Fluoride has a strong affinity for Calcium ions

(CaF2 in oral cavity). Fluoride also inhibits Na+/K+
ATPase, disrupting glycolysis & oxidative
phosphorylation.
http://www.naturalnews.com/cartoons/Fluoride_Water_Main_150.jpg

Acute Toxic effects of

Fluoride

• Neurological effects: Headache, Tremors, Muscular

spasms, seizures, muscle weakness

Mechanism: By binding to Calcium ions & inhibiting

acetylcholinesterase, fluoride disrupts neurotransmission.
Overview
 Conclusion

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/2039765/enzo-main_Full.jpg
References
 Comparison of human & dog tooth morphology
http://www.seefido.com/html/internal_dog_morphology.htm
http://www.dentalvet.com/vets/basicdentistry/dental_anatomy.htm
http://www.biochemj.org/bj/030/1567/0301567.pdf
www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/labteeth.jpg

 Comparison of human & dog oral environment

http://www.christinas-home-remedies.com/image-files/toothache-tooth-anatomy.jpg
http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-69/issue-11/722.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saliva
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_Enzymes_found_in_Saliva
http://www.petngarden.co m/dogs/dogs14.html
http://diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/clinpath/modules/chem/amylase.htm
http://www.avds-online.org/info/cavities.html
Essentials of dental caries by Edwina A.M.Kidd
The Journal of Physiology (1999),520.2
Colin Dawes What is the critical pH & why does a tooth dissolve in acid? J Can Dent
2003; 69(11):722-4
 Comparison of human & dog toothpaste
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/17/2/49/51/
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/
http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/toothpaste.html
http://www.copperwiki.org/index.php/Toothpaste
http://www.saveyoursmile.com/toothpaste/toothpaste-c.html
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/TOPIC181.HTM
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11908400
http://fluoride.ecobytes.net/Alert/United-States/National/Toothpaste-How-Safe
http://www.bfsweb.org/documents/howfworks.htm
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119632984/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2138181
http://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth_decay/t4_tooth_decay_fluoride.htm
J.S. Van Der Hoeven & H.C.M. Franken (1984) Effect of fluoride on growth & acid production by
streptococcus mutans in Dental Plaque, Infection And Immunity p356-359 Vol. 45, No.2
B.H. Clarkson: Caries Prevention – Fluoride, Adv Dent Res 5:41-25, Dec 1991
G. Embery & G. Rolla. (1992) Clinical & Biological Aspects of Dentifrices. Oxford University Press
Milton H. Saier, Jr. (1977) Bacterial Phosphoenolpyruvate:Sugar Phosphotransferase Systems:
Structural, Functional, and Evolutionary Interrelationships. p. 856-871American Society for
Microbiology vol. 41, No. 4
http://images.quickblogcast.com/82835-72470/dentist_cartoon.gif

The End

Q&A