Evaluation of a topical gel containing a novel combination of essential oils and antioxidants for reducing oral malodor in dogs

Samuel B. Low Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610

Search for other papers by Samuel B. Low in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DDS, MEd
,
R. Michael Peak The Pet Dentist at Wesley Chapel, 3908 Flatiron Loop, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.

Search for other papers by R. Michael Peak in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM
,
Christopher W. Smithson The Pet Dentist at Wesley Chapel, 3908 Flatiron Loop, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.

Search for other papers by Christopher W. Smithson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM
,
Jeanne Perrone The Pet Dentist at Wesley Chapel, 3908 Flatiron Loop, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.

Search for other papers by Jeanne Perrone in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Bert Gaddis Indian Springs Animal Clinic, 1583 Cahaba Valley Rd, Pelham, AL 35124.

Search for other papers by Bert Gaddis in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM
, and
Elias Kontogiorgos Department of Restorative Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246.

Search for other papers by Elias Kontogiorgos in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DDS, PhD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.7.653
Volume/Issue:
Volume 75: Issue 7
Online Publication Date:
01 Jul 2014
Restricted access
Sign In Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the effectiveness of a topically applied gel containing essential oils (menthol and thymol) and polyphenolic antioxidants (phloretin and ferulic acid) for reducing halitosis in dogs.

Animals—20 dogs.

Procedures—A blinded crossover clinical trial was conducted. Dogs received a dental cleaning and examination (periodontal examination including periodontal probing and assessments of plaque, calculus, and gingivitis). Owners then applied a gel (active or placebo) to oral soft tissues twice daily for a 4-week period. Teeth of the dogs were cleaned again, and owners applied the other gel for a 4-week period. Clinicians scored halitosis immediately after the initial cleaning and at 4 and 8 weeks, and owners scored halitosis weekly.

Results—Halitosis assessment by clinicians revealed that both groups had improvement in halitosis scores. Two dogs were removed because of owner noncompliance. In the active-to-placebo group (n = 9), halitosis was significantly reduced during application of the active gel but increased during application of the placebo. Seven of 9 owners reported increased halitosis when treatment was changed from the active gel to the placebo. In the placebo-to-active group (n = 9), halitosis decreased during application of the placebo and continued to decrease during application of the active gel. Seven of 9 owners reported a decrease in halitosis with the active gel.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An oral topically applied gel with essential oils and polyphenolic antioxidants applied daily after an initial professional dental cleaning decreased oral malodor in dogs.

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the effectiveness of a topically applied gel containing essential oils (menthol and thymol) and polyphenolic antioxidants (phloretin and ferulic acid) for reducing halitosis in dogs.

Animals—20 dogs.

Procedures—A blinded crossover clinical trial was conducted. Dogs received a dental cleaning and examination (periodontal examination including periodontal probing and assessments of plaque, calculus, and gingivitis). Owners then applied a gel (active or placebo) to oral soft tissues twice daily for a 4-week period. Teeth of the dogs were cleaned again, and owners applied the other gel for a 4-week period. Clinicians scored halitosis immediately after the initial cleaning and at 4 and 8 weeks, and owners scored halitosis weekly.

Results—Halitosis assessment by clinicians revealed that both groups had improvement in halitosis scores. Two dogs were removed because of owner noncompliance. In the active-to-placebo group (n = 9), halitosis was significantly reduced during application of the active gel but increased during application of the placebo. Seven of 9 owners reported increased halitosis when treatment was changed from the active gel to the placebo. In the placebo-to-active group (n = 9), halitosis decreased during application of the placebo and continued to decrease during application of the active gel. Seven of 9 owners reported a decrease in halitosis with the active gel.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An oral topically applied gel with essential oils and polyphenolic antioxidants applied daily after an initial professional dental cleaning decreased oral malodor in dogs.

Contributor Notes

Supported in part by PerioSciences LLC.

Dr. Low is a consultant for PerioSciences LLC.

Address correspondence to Dr. Low (Slow@dental.ufl.edu).
Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Date:
01 Jul 2014

  • 1. Kyllar M, Witter B. Prevalence of dental disorders in pet dogs. Vet Med Czech 2005; 50: 496–505.

  • 2. Yaegaki K, Sanada K. Volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air from clinically healthy subjects and patients with periodontal disease. J Periodontal Res 1992; 27: 233–238.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 3. Culham N, Rawlings JM. Oral malodor and its relevance to periodontal disease in the dog. J Vet Dent 1998; 15: 165–168.

  • 4. Pavlica Z, Petelin M, Nemec A, et al. Measurement of total antioxidant capacity in gingival crevicular fluid and serum in dogs with periodontal disease. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65: 1584–1588.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 5. Hardham J, Dreier K, Wong J, et al. Pigmented anerobic bacteria associated with canine periodontitis. Vet Microbiol 2005; 106: 119–128.

  • 6. Persson S. Hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan in periodontal pockets. Oral Microbiol Immunol 1992; 7: 378–379.

  • 7. Brown WY, McGenity P. Effective periodontal disease control using dental hygiene chews. J Vet Dent 2005; 22: 16–19.

  • 8. Kim S, Schim K, Yoo K, et al. The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride on halitosis and periodontal disease—related parameters in dogs. BioTech Bioproces Eng 2008; 13: 252–255.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 9. Rawlings JM, Culham N. Halitosis in dogs and the effect of periodontal therapy. J Nutr 1998; 128: 2715S–2716S.

  • 10. Neely AL. Essential oil mouthwash (EOMW) may be equivalent to chlorhexidine (CHX) for long-term control of gingival inflammation but CHX appears to perform better than EOMW in plaque control. J Evid Based Dent Pract 2012; 12(suppl 3):69–72.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 11. Narotzki B, Reznick A, Aizenbud D, et al. Green tea: a promising natural product in oral health. Arch Oral Biol 2012; 57: 429–435.

  • 12. Chapple IL. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in inflammatory diseases. J Clin Periodontol 1997; 24: 287–296.

  • 13. Battino M, Ferreiro MS, Gallardo I, et al. The antioxidant capacity of saliva. J Clin Periodontol 2002; 29: 189–194.

  • 14. Sculley DV, Langley-Evans SC. Salivary antioxidants and periodontal disease status. Proc Nutr Soc 2002; 61: 137–143.

  • 15. Lodhia P, Yaegaki K, Khakbaznejad A, et al. Effect of green tea on volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2008; 54: 89–94.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 16. San Miguel SM, Opperman LA, Allen EP, et al. Bioactive polyphenol antioxidants protect oral fibroblasts from ROS-inducing agents. Arch Oral Biol 2012; 57: 1657–1667.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 17. Ginsburg I, Kohen R, Shalish M, et al. The oxidant-scavenging abilities in the oral cavity may be regulated by a collaboration among antioxidants in saliva, microorganisms, blood cells and polyphenols: a chemiluminescence-based study. PLoS ONE [serial online] 2013; 8: e63062. Available at: www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063062. Accessed Oct 30, 2013.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Advertisement