Dentistry and Dental Care
I think we all know that our pets have teeth – they’re the things that let your dog destroy your plants and your cat carry the frog in from outside for your pleasure! As in humans, the health of their teeth and gums has a large impact on their overall health and quality of life. It is now well documented that proper dental care can add 2-4 years to your pet’s life.
Imagine how your mouth would feel and taste (and smell!) if you didn’t clean your teeth regularly. Imagine having a really bad toothache and not being able to tell anyone about it. Our pets feel pain just like we do, but are not always very good at telling us when they are uncomfortable or sore. When they wake up in the morning they just get on with their lives as best they can with their sore mouth.
In most cases, owners are unaware that there is a problem, not because they don’t care about their pets, but because these problems are hidden away in the mouth. Most animals will continue to eat despite advanced disease. Can you imagine how bad dental disease would have to get to make you stop eating for more than a day? Your pet eats because it is hungry, so it will continue to eat despite the pain
Bad breath and subtle behavioural changes (such as reduced playing) are often the only hints until the pain becomes unbearable. Drooling, dropping food and reluctance to eat or be handled around the face are more obvious signs that something is wrong. Unfortunately for our pets at this stage their disease is very severe and it may take years for such signs to develop.
You will be amazed at the appearance and smell of your pet’s mouth after a dental, and also be surprised at their new lease on life, improved demeanor, and love for food once again!
Through our vet’s post graduate training, skills and equipment we are educated and equipped to recognise and treat all forms of dental disease, including those that are frequently overlooked. We can all work together to help achieve a comfortable mouth for every pet.
How do I know if my pet has dental disease?
Signs that your pet might be in need of a dental care might include any combination of bad breath, reluctance or difficulty chewing, chewing on one side, drooling, decreased appetite, face rubbing or pawing, reluctance to be handled around the mouth,or swelling around the face. Inside the mouth you may see red, swollen or bleeding gums, tartar accumulation, broken teeth, discolored teeth, loose teeth, or ulcers.
If you suspect a problem, it’s best to arrange a dental check for your pet with one of our veterinarians. It’s also worth keeping in mind that animals don’t always tell us when they are uncomfortable, so regular check ups are recommended whether you have noticed any changes or not.
Is dental treatment painful for pets?
While procedures such as dental cleaning and polishing are generally not uncomfortable (most of us have experienced this at our own dentist), treatment of periodontal disease, extraction of teeth and advanced treatments can cause pain for our patients.
All procedures are carried out under a general anaesthetic so your pet is not aware of and cannot feel what is happening. We minimise any postoperative discomfort by using an integrated pain management approach, which includes preoperative pain medication, local anaesthetic nerve blocks (just like human dentists!) and, when required, pain medication to take home after the procedure.
The majority of pets will be eating within several hours of recovery. In fact, most of our patients have been in moderate or severe pain for a period of time, and so rapidly feel much more comfortable once they have received appropriate treatment.
What can I do to keep my pets teeth clean?
Spending a few minutes a day caring for your pet’s teeth can improve your pet’s health, improve their breath, make them more comfortable, and save you money on treatment. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that accumulate on the teeth, causing inflammation, infection and damage to the sensitive oral tissues. Home care programs are usually targeted at slowing down plaque, which slows down disease progression. For example, easy-to-feed prescription diets that help prevent tartar recurrence are available. We offer you a peace of mind guarantee when you purchase these products, so that if your pet does not like the diet, you can return it for a complete refund. There is also a very healthy water additive which also inhibits plaque formation and many patients have benefitted from this being added to their drinking water each day. There are many other ways plaque buildup can be reduced, and not all solutions suit all patients or their owners, so we’ll work with you to create a program that works for them, and you.
Want more information on dental disease?
It is hard to give a full discussion of all the dental diseases and treatment options. Please give us a call or make an appointment to bring your pet down for a dental examination and we can see what needs to be done, and give you some dental care solutions to allow you to keep your pets teeth healthy for life.
For more information on chewy diets to maintain your pet’s dental health, click here ##
Bones, (types/sizes) Chewy meat strip and chunks, squid,