Dental Care
Just like humans, pets need regular dental care. Untreated dental disease can affect major organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, as bacteria from inflamed gums can enter the bloodstream.
Many pets will require a professional dental clean or tooth removal at some stage to maintain their health. Our dental procedures include ultrasonic scaling, polishing with specialised equipment, and surgical removal of teeth when necessary. All dental work is performed safely under general anaesthesia.
We offer dental checks by appointment, during which our veterinarians will examine your pet’s mouth, recommend treatment if required, and provide an estimate for any procedures.
Why it's important to check your pet's dental health
Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems seen in pets on a daily basis. When up to 80% of pets are affected by the age of four, you can understand why it is one of the most important topics in veterinary care. Dental examinations are included in all routine consultations, but we also offer dental checks with our veterinary team year round; contact the clinic to make a booking.
Dental disease starts as bacteria combined with saliva and food debris building between the teeth and beneath the gum line. Within a few days, plaque mineralises into tartar and enhances further plaque accumulation. This tartar buildup leads to irreversible destruction of tissue and bone, causing bad breath, significant oral pain, tooth decay and/or tooth loss.
Pets will not commonly vocalise their discomfort, so there are other signs that you will need to watch for to know if they are beginning to suffer.
Did you know periodontal disease can lead to other serious health problems?
Periodontal disease causes inflammation of the gums which in turn provides an opportunity for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This bacteria travels freely throughout the body and subsequently, can lead to damage of major organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys.
What are the causes of dental disease?
Dental disease is an unfortunate and inevitable part of pet ownership; however there are certain factors which can contribute to the development of plaque and tartar much earlier in life.
Contributing factors can include:
- Poor quality diet, particularly those containing a high volume of wet or canned food.
- Breed predisposition; smaller dogs and cats are particularly prone.
- Pets with shortened muzzles; such as Persian cats or Pugs and Bulldogs.
- Trauma resulting in damage to the teeth.
- Disease processes.
What are the signs of dental disease?
- Bad breath – this is the most common and early indicator
- Discolouration of the teeth
- Loose teeth or missing teeth
- Reluctance to chew hard treats or eat their normal food
- Changes in chewing habits
- Excessive drooling – this is common in cats
- Inflamed (or blood-stained) gums
- Facial swelling
- Pawing at the mouth
Pets will not commonly vocalise their discomfort, so there are other signs that you will need to watch for to know if they are beginning to suffer.
How to tell the severity of my pet’s dental disease?
Dental disease is graded from 0-4. Each pet we see is given a grade and they can have several different grades at different points within the mouth. For example, it is common for the canine teeth to be grade 0-1 while the larger premolars in the back of the mouth can be much much worse.
- Grade 0 teeth: Considered normal. When an animal is young, the teeth are white and clean-looking. As a pet ages, teeth can become stained yellow with age. This does not effect the grade.
- Grade 1 teeth: Small deposits of plaque on teeth; inflammation of the gingival layer. No bone loss at the early stage. Can be reversed with appropriate surgical intervention and changes in domestic environment.
- Grade 2 teeth: More significant plaque and now tartar build up which extends under the gum line. Greater levels of gingivitis, and bone loss is mild. Not reversible, but can be prevented from more extensive damage with appropriate surgical intervention and changes in domestic environment.
- Grade 3 teeth: Noticeable tartar and calculus; pockets developing around the tooth below the gum layer. Significant gingivitis and extensive bone loss. Not reversible, and in many cases, will require surgical intervention and tooth removal.
- Grade 4 teeth: Easily visible presence of of tartar over the teeth, foul smell and often pus easily seen. Not reversible, will require surgical removal.
How to brush your pet’s teeth
The gold standard of pet care involves brushing your pets teeth daily. This can be difficult to start with but daily brushing is the most effective way of avoiding plaque and tartar build up.
Watch our video to learn our tips and tricks for how to introduce your dog to having their teeth brushed ➡️
Other Dental Care routines you can implement at home:
If brushing your pet’s teeth isn’t possible, there are other options that can help support dental health and keep your pet’s smile clean. For the best results, we recommend using a combination of dental care products where appropriate.
Many of these products carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Approval, meaning they meet recognised standards for reducing plaque and tartar when used as directed.
If you’d like advice on which dental products are best suited to your pet, please chat with our team – we’re happy to recommend the most appropriate options for your pet’s needs.