Dental Health

Dental disease is a very serious problem for cats and dogs and if left untreated bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause kidney, heart and liver disease. Bad breath is the first sign that your pet may need dental treatment.

Symptoms:

• Bad breath (Halitosis)
• Salivating
• Reluctance to eat hard foods
• Red or bleeding gums
• Chewing on one side of the mouth
• Brown/yellow tartar build up on teeth
• Tooth loss

If you suspect your pet has dental disease an appointment with one of our Vet Nurses will help determine what level of treatment is required. Scaling (Removing tartar), polishing and dental extractions all require general anaesthesia.

Prevention

There are many options available for reducing dental disease in our pets such as:
 

• Tooth brushing - is the most effective form and meat flavoured toothpaste makes the job easier!

• Dental diets – This is an easy way of reducing dental disease since your animal has to eat anyway! The dental diets contain a large firm kibble that actually helps scrape the plaque and tartar off the teeth as your pet bites it.

• Limiting soft food – Wet food should only be an occasional part of your pet's diet, as it leaves a coating of food on the tooth. This causes plaque and tartar to develop rapidly.

• Dental treats – There are also a lot of dental treats on the market now that help to freshen breath and remove some plaque and tartar. Water additives such as Healthy Mouth – help reduce bacteria in the mouth that contribute to gingivitis and plaque.

Remember that the best dental care is a combination of preventative & surgical treatments.