Periodontal disease includes several pathological conditions among which gengivitis and periodontitis, a chronic, recurrent and progressive disease that occurs in over 80% of dogs, which is treated by scaling.
The adhesion of bacterial plaque to the surface of the teeth and gums as a result of poor oral hygiene is indeed the main causes of this problem. On this basis, a pool of veterinary specialists and researchers, including Monica Monici, ASAcampus Manager, developed the study “Reduction of oral bacterial load in dogs subjected to MLS® Laser Therapy following scaling”.
The report on the results achieved, prepared by Dr. Nicola Pozzato – co-author of the scientific article, Vice President of the Italian Society of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostics and Director of the Specialist Centre and O.U. of Veterinary Forensic Medicine of the “Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie”, Vicenza section – was presented during the 22ndSIDILV Congress (Italian Society of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostics).
The research was based on the treatment of 16 dogs which, after scaling followed by a gingival swab, underwent MLS® Laser Therapy, followed by a second swab, carried out in the same way as the first one. The results of the bacterial counts showed a higher concentration of bacteria in the gingival swabs taken before MLS®. Having determined a positive quantitative variation of the oral bacterial load in dogs, MLS® Laser Therapy, while not replacing daily oral hygiene or scaling procedures, could represent a valid support to prevent the onset and development of periodontal disease.
Further studies will be necessary to evaluate the extent to which the reduction of the oral bacterial load determined by the use of MLS® persists and what, if any, different effects may be observed after repeated applications over time.