Dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see in dogs and cats.
Like ours, our pets’ teeth need looking after to keep them at their best.
There are plenty of products available that claim to help improve dental hygiene, from chews and toys to dietary supplements and antibacterial mouthwash.
For these to be effective they need to be used while the teeth are clean and healthy, as they are designed to prevent the build-up of plaque rather than removing what’s already there.
The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean is to brush them daily with specially formulated pet toothpaste –many dogs and even cats will happily accept this with some training.
Problems arise when the plaque on the teeth accumulates into layers of rock-hard brownish tartar.
This is made up of debris and bacteria, and can introduce infection into the gums as well as causing bad breath.
Animal teeth can also develop cavities just as ours can, which may make eating and grooming uncomfortable.
When tartar has developed, we usually need to use an ultrasonic scaler to remove it.
Unfortunately dogs and cats aren’t inclined to sit still through a scale and polish, so they are anaesthetised to avoid stress and discomfort.
We also examine all the teeth first and remove any that are loose or damaged.
Dental problems can often be recognised by bad breath, inflamed red gums, difficulty eating and sometimes pawing at the mouth after eating.
If you are concerned about your pet’s teeth, contact your vets for a dental health check.
Nobody likes having toothache!
Alder Veterinary Practice, 58 Bourne Road, Spalding, PE11 1JW. Call 01775 766646. Opening hours 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am alternate Saturdays. 24 hour emergency cover.
