Download Bioactive Enzymes May Benefit Zerostomia

Product Profile
enzymes
Bio-active
benefit xerostomia
BY ANN BRIGHTMAN WITH DEIRDRE PUTMAN
D
ry mouth or xerostomia is characterized by an insufficiency of
saliva or a change in the chemical makeup of the saliva. It can have
a profoundly negative effect on the oral and general health of a dog
or cat, causing a range of symptoms such as gum disease and tooth
decay as well as ulcers, sores and other types of inflammation, bad
breath, thick saliva, and difficulty eating and drinking. It can deeply
impact a pet’s quality of life and general well being.
Unfortunately, xerostomia often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
Many people find it hard to believe a dog can have dry mouth
because they seem to drool so much, but xerostomia is more than
dry mouth or the absence of saliva – it’s insufficient or inadequate
quality of saliva. Without sufficient or adequate quality saliva,
serious decay can set in. It’s also important to note that the first sign
of dry mouth – in pets or people – is bad breath.
Xerostomia can be caused by certain medications as well as a wide
variety of health conditions, including diabetes, dehydration, renal
failure, chronic liver disease, aging, FIV in cats, pancreatitis, thyroid
dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies and many others. According
to The Merck Veterinary Manual, radiation treatment, drugs such as
atropine, and immune-mediated issues can also cause the condition.
Managing xerostomia involves managing the underlying problem.
In the meantime, however, there are ways to relieve and alleviate
the symptoms of dry mouth by encouraging the production of
quality saliva without excess salivation. “Physiologically balanced
mouthwashes relieve the discomfort that results from xerostomia,”
offers The Merck Veterinary Manual. “Fluids may be administered
to correct dehydration, if present. Immunosuppressive therapy is
indicated if immune-mediated disease is suspected.”
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integrative veterinary care
Management also includes restoring the quality and balance
of beneficial bacteria in the mouth. The patented LP3 Enzyme
System from Pet King Brands (petkingbrands.com) contains
lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin and lysozyme, bio-active enzymes
that inhibit harmful bacteria without damaging the beneficial
strains. This enzyme technology is in all the company’s
products, including the Brushless Oral Care line, marketed
under the brand name Biotene Veterinarian. The latter also
features the enzymes mutanase and dextranase, which work
together to make plaque biofilm water soluble and help prevent
it from adhering to tooth surfaces. These products improve the
quality of the pet’s saliva, reduce plaque, and hinder diseasecausing bacteria as well as fungus and some viruses, through
the following specific actions:
Lactoperoxidase: An antibacterial agent created from a known
milk peroxidise.
Lactoferrin: An enzyme found in milk, tears, saliva and some white
blood cells. It kills bad bacteria by depriving them of iron.
Lysozyme: An enzyme found in milk and egg whites. It
splits the cell walls of harmful bacteria by disrupting
the formation of a glycosidic bond between the two
components of peptidoglycan.
Mutanase and dextranase: Disrupts glycan bonds in plaque.
Managing the underlying cause/s of xerostomia, along with using
products to alleviate dry mouth symptoms and restore bacterial
balance, can effectively correct the problem.