Preventive Healthcare Information

Select a Preventive Healthcare Topic: Select a Topic Regular Exams Dental Care

Dental Care

Your pet may be showing signs of needing dental care. These signs can include: bad breath, red gums, excessive salivation, lack of energy and pain when eating.

Even without signs, we strongly recommend dental care for your pet. It's a preventative healthcare measure, which contributes to your pet's long happy life.

• Bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream causing damage to vital internal organs
• Sore gums can cause difficulty eating resulting in poor nutrition
• Unhealthy mouths (as with any part of the body) reduces energy and overall vitality

These pictures illustrate the various progressive stages of gingivitis (gum disease). Regular dental care prevents your pet from developing gingivitis. However, if your pet is showing signs of gum disease it is important that you book a dental examination today so that we can determine the best course of action.		1	2
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Pet dental care is a bit more involved than typical dental cleanings for humans. This is what we do during dental cleanings to ensure the best care for your pet:

Pre-anesthetic blood screen:
We make sure your pet is healthy before administering anesthetic. Although complications resulting from modern anesthetic are rare, we need to be sure your pet is in good health. The blood test can also inform us of any effect to the organs that previous poor dental hygiene has caused.

Pre- and During the Dental Procedures
Along with a pre-anesthetic blood screen, we typically perform x-rays and during the procedure we monitor all vitals and fluids are administered as required.

Scaling and polishing:
We scale teeth to remove all tartar below the gumline because it's not just what you can see that can harm your pet, but also what you can't see.

Fluoride application:
Fluoride strengthens the enamel of the teeth.

It's important that you call us today to discuss when we should book a dental exam for your pet.

What's involved in a Dental Exam?
During the exam we look for; developmental abnormalities, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease and oral tumors.

What can you do?
You are responsible for regular brushing and use of dental care products. We stock a variety of pet dental care products. It is important to use pet products and not products developed for human use. Maintain regular visits to your veterinarian for dental exams and get in a regular cycle of dental cleanings.