Dentistry is a rapidly growing area of veterinary science. We have seen a greater awareness over the last 25 years of its importance to the overall health of the animals we treat. Just like humans, pets’ teeth need looking after too! The health of their teeth and gum's has a significant impact on their overall quality of life. Imagine how your mouth would feel, and smell, if you never brushed your teeth. Imagine having a really bad toothache and not being able to tell anyone about it! Dental disease begins with a build up of bacteria in your pet’s mouth. Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris, can cause plaque to accumulate on the tooth. As calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar (brown or yellow material starting near the gum line of the tooth). Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar build-up leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can cause oral pain, tooth loss and even heart or kidney problems.
If your pet is showing any of these signs of dental disease please book an appointment to see one of our veterinarians. Early assessment and action can save your pet’s teeth!
How can I prevent dental disease?
Long-term control and prevention of dental disease requires regular home care. The best way to begin this is to accustom your pet from an early age. Dental home care may include:
Brushing Teeth Daily
Just like us! This is the best form of dental hygiene. Pet toothbrushes and toothpaste are now available. Please do not use human toothpaste formulas on your pet as they are not designed to be swallowed and may be toxic.
Teeth Friendly Chews and Toys
Use dental toys, enzymatic chews, or teeth cleaning biscuits, all of which may help keep the teeth clean.
Special Dental Diets
These diets are specially designed with abrasive properties and help to trap calcium in saliva to reduce the build up of tartar deposits.
Water additives like prozym help reduce biofilm formation. These help to keep the teeth surfaces slippery, making if difficult for dental plaque to form.
What does a professional dental clean involve?
It is the same as a scale and polish done by a dentist for us. However, unlike us, our pets won’t sit still or open their mouth to allow a comprehensive cleaning of their teeth. For this reason our pets need to have a general anaesthetic for a professional dental clean.
We appreciate many owners have some concerns with both younger and older animals under general anaesthetic. It is for this reason, your pet will need to be assessed by one of our veterinarians for a full physical examination. The assessment may include blood tests (and possible urine tests) to ensure they are healthy prior to having an anaesthetic. We have performed dentals with geriatics ranging from 15 - 20+ years of age with a multitude of underlying conditions, who have gone on to enjoy their last few years in retirement.
The assessment will also include a physical exam, and possibly blood tests and urine tests to ensure they are healthy prior to having an anaesthetic. Once anaesthetised, we can give the teeth a thorough cleaning using our specialised dental equipment. When your pet goes home we will also discuss methods of reducing dental disease in the future.
The degree of dental disease will be assessed accurately when they are under general anaesthetic to determine if extractions, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories will be required. From here, we give the teeth a thorough cleaning using our specialised dental equipment. When your pet goes home we will also discuss at home care and methods of reducing dental disease in the future. If you have any questions about dental care or professional cleaning please do not hesitate to contact us.
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