6 simple steps to brush your pet ’ s teeth :
Dental Disease
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does dental disease matter ?
Dental disease matters because it is painful . We all know someone who has had a toothache or cavity . Our pets have nerves to their teeth , just like us . If it would hurt in your mouth , it will hurt in their mouth , too – they just can ’ t tell us , unless we know what signs to look for .
How common is dental disease ?
Extremely common . By two years of age 85 % of cats and dogs have some form of dental disease .
Why do they need a general anaesthetic to clean their teeth ?
A general anaesthetic allows us to perform a full examination of your pet ’ s mouth that they would not tolerate awake , and allows us to thoroughly clean all the surfaces of their teeth , including beneath the gum line . We can probe the gum line and teeth looking for any cavities or signs of dental disease which quite often can be hidden from plain sight . Due to the type of plaque and tartar buildup that animals get , veterinarians use an ultrasonic scaler to clean your pet ’ s teeth . This is the same machine that some human dentists use on your teeth . It squirts water and emits a high-pitched sound as it works . Most animals would not tolerate this awake .
What happens during a “ dental scale and polish ” under general anaesthetic ?
We start by examining the mouth fully to assess whether there are any abnormalities , such as gum disease , loose or rotten teeth , cavities , fractures or missing teeth . This way we not only develop a treatment plan specific to your pet , but we can also advise you on future prevention of problems . If there are specific problems that require dental X-rays , we will then perform them . Dental X-rays are recommended with any pet with dental disease , to pick up subtle problems early – similar to how we get dental X-rays done regularly . A “ dental scale ” is performed using an ultrasonic scaler . This machine has a tip that vibrates at a high frequency , allowing us to thoroughly remove any tartar or plaque on your pet ’ s teeth . We clean all tooth surfaces , inside and out , as well as under the gums . We finish by polishing your pet ’ s teeth to leave a nice smooth surface which reduces groove formation in the enamel . If the teeth are not polished , micro-grooves are created that tartar quickly accumulates in . A smooth enamel surface means their teeth stay tartar free for longer .
Dog ’ s teeth before dental cleaning
Dog ’ s teeth after dental cleaning
Why brush my pet ’ s teeth ?
Brushing your pet ’ s teeth reduces the buildup of plaque and tartar , which can develop rapidly . This keeps their teeth cleaner for a longer period of time . This means less scale and polish procedures are needed during the life of your pet . If you aren ’ t sure that brushing is an option , speak to our staff about other homecare options .
What happens in the wild ?
Some animals are lucky and don ’ t get much dental disease . Most in the wild have plaque and tartar buildup causing gum inflammation . As the gum inflammation progresses , the gum surrounding the tooth recedes and can lead to cavities , infections , broken teeth and abscesses ( pus filled infected areas around the tooth root ). The animal will continue to eat because it needs to in order to survive . Sometimes infected teeth will fall out after a substantial period of discomfort , or the animal will continue to cope with chronic mouth pain . There is no need for pets to suffer this dental pain .
Why can ’ t I just give bones ?
In the past , bones were used extensively to keep teeth clean . Yes , the abrasion of rubbing their teeth on a solid object does help clean their teeth . However , a number of dogs and cats do break their teeth on bones resulting in pain and subsequent infection . Fractured teeth often need extraction . Some pets get the bones stuck in their mouths , throat or stomach . Other dogs get constipated , which at the worst may require a general anaesthetic to remove the impactions ! For these reasons , we do not routinely recommend chewing bones to counter dental disease .
6 simple steps to brush your pet ’ s teeth :
Select the flavour of toothpaste you are going to use ( chicken or malt ) and introduce it to your pet on your finger as a treat . Make it fun and encourage them to lick it .
Gently rub their incisors and canines ( front teeth ) with the toothpaste on your fingers .
To be most effective , brush them every day .
Gradually , over the next few days , start to move your finger down the sides of their mouths to rub the back teeth with your finger and toothpaste .
Focus on rubbing the outside of all the teeth ( top and bottom ). This is where most tartar accumulates .
Move on to a soft bristle toothbrush ( such as a veterinary-approved toothbrush or a child ’ s soft toothbrush ) or finger brush and continue brushing your pet ’ s teeth .