Routinely checking your pet's teeth is one of the best things a pet owner can do to insure their overall health.The conditon 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!
The most obvious sign of dental disease to a pet owner is bad breath. A lot of the time owners put bad breath down to just being dogs or getting old but dental disease can be very painful and a check up with our vet is our first reccomendation! Other clinical signs include plaque and tartar build up, reddened gums or gingivitis, excessive salivation, chattering teeth and difficulty chewing food.
Without an at-home-hygiene program 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!
Preventatative Solutions-
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:
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Brushing teeth daily - This is the best form of dental hygiene. Pet toothbrushes and toothpaste are available at our clinic. Do not use human toothpaste on your pet as they are not designed to be swallowed and may be toxic.
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Feed pets special dental diets or include an addative to their water. This can help reduce the accumulation of tartar.
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Use dental toys, enzymatic chews.
Regular and frequent attention to your pet's teeth may avoid the need for a professional dental clean under anaesthetic, and will also improve your pet's overall health.
Dental Procedures
Pets can recieve a dental scale and polish but need to have a general anaesthetic for a professional dental clean. Our veterinarians will need to conduct a full check to determine what stage of dental disease they have and what treatment is necessary, ie. extractions, anti-biotics, etc. The use of dental xrays gives a complete picture of the condition of the teeth, both above and below the gum line.
If you have any questions about dental care or professional cleaning please do not hesitate to contact us ON 8382 3700