A Semi-Automated Method for Measuring Biofilm Accumulation on the Teeth Using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence in Dogs and Cats.

Oral health conditions (eg, plaque, calculus, gingivitis) cause morbidity and pain in companion animals. Thus, developing technologies that can ameliorate the accumulation of oral biofilm, a critical factor in the progression of these conditions, is vital. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) is a method to quantify oral substrate accumulation, and therefore, it can assess biofilm attenuation of different products. New software has recently been developed that automates aspects of the procedure. However, few QLF studies in companion animals have been performed. QLF was used to collect digital images of oral substrate accumulation on the teeth of dogs and cats to demonstrate the ability of QLF to discriminate between foods known to differentially inhibit oral substrate accumulation. Images were taken as a function of time and diet. Software developed by the Cytometry Laboratory, Purdue University quantified biofilm coverage. Intra- and intergrader reproducibility was also assessed, as was a comparison of the results of the QLF software with those of an experienced grader using undisclosed coverage-only metrics similar to those used for the Logan and Boyce index. Quantification of oral substrate accumulation using QLF-derived images demonstrated the ability to distinguish between dental diets known to differentially inhibit oral biofilm accumulation. Little variance in intra- and intergrader reproducibility was observed, and the comparison between the experienced Logan and Boyce grader and the QLF software yielded a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.89 (95% CI = 0.84, 0.92). These results show that QLF is a useful tool that allows the semi-automated quantification of the accumulation of oral biofilm in companion animals.

Two Randomized Trials Demonstrate Lactic Acid Supplementation in Pet Food Inhibits Dental Plaque, Calculus, and Tooth Stain in Cats.

BACKGROUND: Dental concerns are some of the most common health problems affecting companion animals. A variety of foods, treats, and chews comprising different mechanical and chemical technologies have been investigated as a means of promoting oral health. Here, we investigate the chemical technology, lactic acid added to a commercially available food, for its ability to inhibit dental plaque, calculus, and tooth stain accumulation in cats. METHODS: Two separate feeding trials assessed the utility of a nutritionally complete feline maintenance food supplemented with lactic acid to reduce oral substrate accumulation (dental plaque, calculus, and tooth stain) in cats. After a calibration study identified high and low dental plaque formers, 45 cats were randomized to 1 of 2 test groups (food with 1.2% lactic acid supplementation) or control (food without lactic acid supplementation) groups, stratified based on their calibration scores. Data were collected on a monthly basis for 3 months. The second study randomly assigned 24 cats to either the test or control groups for 1 year, with data collected at the 6- and 12-month time points. RESULTS: In the 3-month study, reductions in dental plaque, calculus, and tooth stain accumulations were observed at the 2-month assessment in both test groups compared with control (P < .05 for test group 2). The 1-year study showed that these reductions in oral substrate accumulation persisted through the 6- and 12-month time points (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these studies demonstrate that lactic acid supplemented at 1.2% in a feline maintenance food significantly inhibits oral substrate accumulation.

Application of the gingival contour plaque index: six-month plaque and gingivitis study.

The Gingival Contour Plaque Index (GCPI) is a recently introduced and validated method of measuring plaque accumulation in dogs. It focuses on plaque accumulated along the gingival margin. Plaque accumulation in this area leads to gingival inflammation and, potentially, periodontitis. A 6-month plaque and gingivitis study was conducted to demonstrate the clinical research application of the GCPI, and to ensure that documented quantification of plaque-reducing efficacy could be related to a reduction in gingivitis. Advantages of the GCPI method are the ability to quantify plaque accumulation in an awake dog with fewer research personnel and more efficient time usage.

Validation of a new dental plaque quantification method in dogs.

Current methods for the quantification of plaque accumulation in cats and dogs are well-accepted adaptations of traditional human models, but have required substantial modifications in order to compensate for the inherent differences in compliance, cooperation, and temperament between animals and humans. While these modifications have sought to maintain or improve upon the accuracy and reproducibility of the original methods, they also have increased the complexity of the technique and have required additional scorer time and animal cooperation, which leads to increased cost of trials. Therefore, research was directed toward the development and validation of a new substrate scoring system that reduces resources while maintaining or increasing the reproducibility attributed to the more traditional methods. This new gingival contour plaque index was shown to be accurate and reproducible, but used fewer animals, required less time, and eliminated the need for many of the specialized procedures required by traditional methods.