Dentistry

Our veterinarians aim to provide the very best dentistry and oral care for your pet. This starts with education and understanding why dental care is vital for preventing disease. 

Tartar build-up can lead to inflammation, infection and pain in the gums, tooth socket and bones. This may result in infection travelling to the heart, kidneys and other organs as well as pain making it difficult to eat. Unlike humans, pets cannot tell you when they are in pain. Pets will often eat and chew with pain for a long time until infection occurs, a tooth becomes loose or an abscess develops. It is always best to have your pets teeth checked before the dental disease becomes advanced.

Common signs of dental disease include:

  • Yellow-brown tartar around the gum line
  • Inflamed, red gums
  • Bad breath
  • Change in eating or chewing habits (especially in cats)
  • Pawing at the face or mouth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth

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!

Your pet at the vet for a dental procedure 

A dental procedure is similar to human dentistry. We use an ultrasonic scaler and other dentistry equipment. The difference is, all animals need general anaesthetic to have their teeth cleaned. This provides safety, 

Your pet may need to have some teeth removed if they are decayed, broken or abscessed. Our vet will perform an oral exam on your pet, examining each tooth and assessing the viability of the teeth. 

If your pet already has dental disease, it is best to have an appointment with a veterinarian and then book them in for a dental procedure to remove the tartar from the teeth and from under the gumline. Some rotten, infected or loose teeth may need to be removed.  

 

Preventing dental disease at home

The best way to prevent your pet needing a dental procedure performed is for you to assist in controlling plaque build-up. Diet usually plays a large factor and can differ from animal to animal. This is sometimes affected by mouth shape and metabolism, but usually by your pet’s diet. Often, soft/canned foods can cause more build-up of tartar due to debris remaining on the teeth long after the meal is finished.

Below are some things you could do for your pet’s teeth.

Brushing Teeth Daily

Brushing your pet’s teeth once a day is the ‘gold standard’ to prevent dental disease.
It’s best to start brushing your pet’s teeth when they are a puppy or kitten, they are more likely to tolerate the experience as long as it’s done pleasantly and with rewards.

You will need a willing pet. Your safety is very important when you are putting your finger in a dog or cat's mouth.
You will also need pet toothpaste. Some human toothpastes contain xylitol and is toxic to pets; they contain more fluoride and human toothpastes have foaming agents added.

Here is a short video that explains how to desensitise your dog to get their teeth brushed. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/video/how-to-brush-dogs-teeth

Other options reducing dental disease

Dental chews
Dental chews use mechanical action to help reduce the plaque and tartar on your pets’ teeth. Some dental chews have added chemical action to reduce tartar build up.

Dental diets
Dental diets are specifically formulated and designed kibble to prevent tartar build up. They use mechanical action to reduce plaque. Dental diets have larger kibble to encourage chewing.

Water or food additives
Water or food additives are designed to break down the plaque and reduce the formation of tartar.

Tooth gels
Tooth gels work similarly to water and food additives but is generally applied directly to the teeth.