Did you know that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 have some level of dental disease?
If left untreated, dental problems will not only affect your pet’s teeth. Dental disease can lead to serious illness which can have a significant impact on your pet’s life and even become life-threatening.
Read on to learn more about the signs of dental disease and our top tips for keeping your pet’s teeth healthy.
Signs of dental disease
There are a number of signs that your pet may have some level of dental disease, including:
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Inability to chew, or favouring one side of the mouth when chewing
- Yellowish/brown or brown crust on the teeth near the gum line
- Drooling
- Tooth loss
If your notice your cat or dog displaying any of these symptoms, it is important that you book them in with your vet for a thorough dental examination.
Preventative measures to keep your pet’s teeth healthy
The best way to catch any dental issues early and prevent them from developing into more serious problems is by having a dental check as part of your cat or dog’s annual check-up. By thoroughly checking for any signs of dental issues or gum disease, your vet can determine if your pet’s teeth require cleaning or any further treatment.
At Bryants Road Vet, if we have any concerns about your pet’s teeth during the dental examination, we are fully equipped to perform dental X-rays to see if there is any trouble hiding under the gum lines. This can be particularly common in dental disease in cats. If we see any issues under the gum line we can treat this through an appropriate dental procedure, such as teeth extractions.
There are also a few things you can do at home to help prevent dental problems.
- Brushing your pet’s teeth (with a special pet toothbrush) as many times a week as you can
- Encouraging dogs to play with chew toys
- Incorporating dry food into their diet
Pet dentistry
Sometimes even with your best efforts at preventative care, your cat or dog may require some level of dental procedure performed by your vet; particularly as they age. This may be a professional cleaning, tooth extraction, or some other form of oral surgery.
Teeth cleaning is the most common dental procedure performed by vets and is a short day surgery that requires general anaesthesia. During the procedure, your pet’s teeth are thoroughly examined before any cleaning commences. Firstly, tartar is removed from their teeth, before being cleaned above and below the gum line, with the final step being a polish.
Does your pet need a dental check-up?
If it’s been a while since your pet has had a dental check-up, or is displaying any signs of dental disease, then it’s important they get their teeth checked by a vet. Dental disease can lead to tooth loss, constant pain, and in advanced cases, organ damage.
During your pet’s annual check-up, we will perform a thorough dental examination to check their overall oral health. We are also happy to do free dental checks for your cat or dog if it doesn’t require a full consult with a physical exam.
To book in an annual check-up or dental examination for your cat or dog, give us a call on 07 3801 1744, book online or drop into our vet clinic at 141 Bryants Road, Loganholme.