Dental Care for our pets!
Caring for your pet’s dental needs!
Our pets need regular and consistent dental care to make sure their teeth stay healthy and functional for as long as possible, to prevent dental plaque, tartar/ build up and periodontal disease.
Dental plaque is a soft but sticky deposit of bacteria from saliva, food and fluid that coats the teeth and collects where the teeth and gums meet.
Dental tartar (or calculus) forms when minerals from saliva are deposited into dental plaque, making it a hard layer that strongly bonds to the tooth enamel, making it difficult to remove except during professional cleaning.
Teeth before cleaning
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the mouth and can be a very serious condition; it makes the gums inflamed and, eventually, destroys the bone surrounding and supporting the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss or the need for teeth to be removed. Periodontal disease is also associated with serious health problems such as infections in the kidneys, heart and liver.
What do I need to do?
Your pet should have an annual visit to the vet to have a general health examination; a dental check-up is a very important part of this. At this visit, your vet will be able to assess your pet’s teeth and gum health and provide advice on anything you need to manage at home. Your vet may recommend that your pet has a general anesthesia to allow a full dental examination, cleaning of your pet’s teeth, dental x-rays if indicated, and the treatment of any specific problems (such as damaged teeth), if required.
The most effective way to promote good oral health in both cats and dogs is to brush their teeth daily – this may seem a little daunting but most animals will get used to their teeth being brushed.
There are also special ‘dental’ diets for both cats and dogs, which can help to control plaque and tartar. Dental chews and toys are also available for both cats and dogs and can help to reduce the formation of plaque and tartar, although they will not prevent it.
Teeth after cleaning