Your pet’s teeth
October 30, 2022
Looking after your pet’s teeth can help prevent dental problems which can be very painful and unpleasant.
Most cats and dogs who receive little to no dental care regularly at home, will develop a build-up of plaque over time which can appear either as brown stains or lumps of rough tartar. Sometimes there are obvious signs of dental disease such as broken or decaying teeth, bleeding gums, smelly breath or evidence of pain including mouth rubbing or chewing awkwardly. At other times it can be difficult to see what is going on until the tartar is removed.
Whilst having lots of tooth extractions can be a worry for some owners, dogs and cats actually do very well with very few teeth and will feel much better when they no longer have dental pain!
Like human dentists, we may take x-rays before dental work is carried out to find out what is going with the teeth below the gum line. This is important, as not all dental disease, particularly in cats, is visible above the surface!
As pet owners we are all much more aware these days of the need for good oral health in our pets. Some groomers do offer simple descaling, but this is no substitute for a proper dental examination with advice from your vet.
Every time your pet visits the practice for a routine health check we will examine their mouths; It’s never too late to start brushing your pet’s teeth and we can give you advice and demonstrate how to do it properly. We recommend a soft toothbrush (pet versions are available and even some that fit on your finger like a thimble) and only use pet-friendly toothpaste – human toothpaste must NOT be used.
If you would like any more information, our team of qualified nurses run clinics to help you work out the best way of caring for your pet’s teeth – please ask for details next time you’re in!
