Dental Care
There are 3 really important things to know about teeth in our pets.
- Our dogs and cats get tooth ache and dental disease in exactly the same way as we do and it causes the same amount of pain that we experience. If you have ever had tooth ache you know exactly what I mean.
- Our dogs and cats are really good at covering up pain and not showing us that they have dental disease and tooth ache.
- This makes it our job to prevent dental disease and keep our pet's mouth healthy and pain free. PREVENTION IS THE ONLY CURE
The process of dental disease is as follows and is identical for dogs and cats. After every meal plaque is formed and sticks to the teeth. Unless this is removed by brushing, more plaque will develop every time food is eaten. Over time the plaque hardens to a yellow/brown solid material called tartar.
During this process bacteria build up along the gums and cause inflammation and damage to the gum until the gum disappears allowing bacteria to work down the root loosening the tooth eventually causing a root abscess.
This process can take months, even years and during the entire time the teeth involved are painful. In addition to this bacteria from the mouth are released into the blood stream on a daily basis and this causes extra work for the immune system as well as damaging other organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart.
The photo on the left shows an extreme case of tartar build up. The photo on the right shows what the teeth look like after tartar removal. It is clear to see how much damage the tartar has caused to the gums as a large proportion of gum is missing causing exposure of some of the roots. This is a case where these teeth will be vulnerable forever as they have lost the protection of healthy gum.
The teeth on the opposite side of the mouth where much worse and multiple extractions were needed as those teeth had past the point of no return and were not treatable. This dog would have been in pain for months to years in getting to this stage of disease. Also the operating time to treat something like this can be very long and so recovery from something like this not insignificant.
Moderate Dental Disease
The photo on the left shows a moderate build of tartar on the teeth. The photo on the right shows the teeth after tartar has been removed and the teeth polished. This dog's teeth where cleaned just in time as the disease was at a point that was fully reversible. He now has a healthy mouth that is pain free and as good as new. If this mouth had not been treated at that point he would have progressed to irreversible stage of disease just like the dog above. This dog would have been in moderate pain for a few months prior to this.
The photo on the left shows a moderate build of tartar on the teeth. The photo on the right shows the teeth after tartar has been removed and the teeth polished. This dog's teeth where cleaned just in time as the disease was at a point that was fully reversible. He now has a healthy mouth that is pain free and as good as new. If this mouth had not been treated at that point he would have progressed to irreversible stage of disease just like the dog above. This dog would have been in moderate pain for a few months prior to this.
This photo shows the perfect time for dental treatment to be done in the form of a scale and polish. Up to this point the dog will only have experienced mild gum pain for a very short period of time unlike the dogs in the moderate and severe category that would have been in pain for much longer.
The procedure to treat this is extremely quick and so operating and anaesthetic time is very short as is the recovery time. We recommend dental treatment to be done at this stage as this is the perfect example of prevention being the only cure.
Why Dental Care Matters:
Dental health is not just about having a bright smile; it directly impacts your pet's overall health and quality of life. Proper dental care can:
Prevent Pain: Dental issues, such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and oral infections, can be painful for your pet. Regular dental check-ups can help identify and address these issues before they cause discomfort.
Enhance Nutrition: Healthy teeth and gums are crucial for your pet's ability to chew and digest food properly. Good dental health can improve their nutritional intake and overall vitality.
Prevent Systemic Health Issues: Dental problems can lead to more serious health issues in other parts of the body, affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regular dental care can help prevent these systemic complications.
Improve Quality of Life: Pets with good dental health tend to be more energetic, happier, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Our Veterinary Dentistry Services:
Dental Exams: Our team of experienced veterinarians performs comprehensive dental exams to evaluate the condition of your pet's teeth, gums, and oral cavity.
Dental Cleanings: We offer professional dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Digital Dental Radiography: Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to capture high-resolution dental X-rays, enabling us to identify hidden dental problems.
Oral Surgery: If necessary, our skilled surgeons can perform dental extractions, oral mass removals, and other oral surgeries with the utmost care.
Dental Health Education: We provide guidance on at-home dental care, including toothbrushing techniques, dental diets, and appropriate chew toys.
Fillings and restorative dentistry: We are fortunate to have veterinary surgeons who are able to offer restorative and reparative dental treatments such as fillings and crown repairs.
What Sets Us Apart:
Experienced Team: Our veterinary dentists have advanced training and experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of dental conditions.
Advanced Technology: We utilize the latest dental equipment and digital radiography to provide the most accurate assessments and treatments.
