As with humans, taking care of your pet’s teeth is very important. It is never too early to start getting your pet used to having their mouth and teeth handled. We recommend that owners brush the teeth of dogs and cats daily with an appropriate toothbrush and dog or cat toothpaste. It is preferable to train your pet to accept having his teeth cleaned from an early age. It takes patience but in time most animals will tolerate or even enjoy having their teeth cleaned as part of their daily routine.
However, if your pet does not allow you to brush their teeth, there are other measures that can be taken to help maintain dental health, including special diets, chews, mouthwashes, oral gels and toys.
Our qualified nurses run free dental clinics. These can be booked during certain periods of the day and are allocated 30 minutes to allow plenty of time to discuss any issues you may have. During these they will examine your pet’s mouth and give advice regarding dental care. This may include recommending a dental under general anaesthetic, teeth brushing techniques you can perform at home or dietary advice – maybe a combination of all three!
It is very important to use only a toothpaste that is formulated for dogs or cats.
Further Dental information
Periodontal Disease is a common problem in both cats and dogs, being diagnosed in up to 70% of pets examined. It can cause significant pain and discomfort for affected animals and it can also harm other organ systems if left untreated. It can be assessed and then graded from mild to severe.
Mild periodontal disease is caused by a build up of plaque which contains potentially harmful bacteria in a biofilm which adheres to the tooth surface. If plaque is not removed regularly, it forms dental calculus (tartar) which harbours yet more plaque bacteria. Bacteria then invade the periodontal ligament which holds teeth in their sockets, causing infections, inflammation and breakdown of the ligament eventually leading to tooth loss. Plaque is easily removed by regular tooth brushing.
Unfortunately tartar cannot be removed by brushing, and if your dog or cat has tartar it will need to be manually removed under general anaesthetic by descaling the teeth. Following a descale and polish, we recommend making regular tooth brushing a part of your pet’s daily routine. Our nurses will be happy to discuss this with you.
One of the many advantages of joining the:
Reduced price dental procedures for your pet – speak to any of our staff members about how your pet can benefit from this loyalty scheme.