Commonly our pet’s teeth can look a little bit neglected. This is often just due to your pet’s own predisposition to plaque and tartar build up. Diet can also play a role, which is why we strongly advise a good quality dry food. Plaque and tartar build up is extremely common, but it can lead to dental decay, foul-smelling breath and have a huge impact on your pet’s general health. We advise that you get your pet’s teeth cleaned as required. During a health check, we will check your pet’s teeth and give you advice regarding the need for a dental.
A dental is a day procedure. Your pet will come in to us in the morning and be checked over by one of our vets. A sedation is required so that we can examine the mouth and all the teeth fully and to ensure absolutely no discomfort to your dog or cat. If your pet is older, we may discuss running a blood screen prior to the anaesthetic or sedation.
During the dental, the enamel surface of the teeth will be descaled of any plaque or tartar build up and the surface will be polished. Any damaged teeth will be assessed and it will be decided if any extractions are required.
The gums are normally a little sensitive after a dental but this is completely normal. Your pet will get a pain relief injection if the gums are a bit inflammed, and we advise feeding a soft food for a few days. The gums heal very quickly.
Depending on the individual case, we may advise a tooth paste or use of an oral hygiene gel after the procedure to help prevent further build up of plaque and tartar or a prescription diet where indicated.
