Pet Dental Services West Midlands
Veterinary Dentist West Midlands
Here at Trusted Vets formerly Tudor House, we are passionate about animal dentistry. With only the best dentistry equipment you can rest assured your animal’s oral health is in great hands! It is estimated that by the age of three 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have significant oral disease.
Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning
Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by a veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:
- Bad breath
- Broken or loose teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Teeth that are discoloured or covered in tartar
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
Did you know that pets often need their teeth cleaned to remove plaque and calculus or oral surgery to extract damaged teeth just like humans do? Much of the plaque in the mouth isn’t even visible above the gumline.
Pet Dental Services FAQs
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF DENTAL PROBLEMS IN PET DOGS AND CATS
Although cavities are less common in pets than in people, they can have many of the same dental problems that people can develop:
- Broken teeth and roots
- Periodontal disease
- Abscesses or infected teeth
- Cysts or tumours in the mouth
- Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and bite
- Broken (fractured) jaw
- Palate defects (such as cleft palate)
WHY DO I NEED TO BRING MY DOG/CAT/PET TO THE VETS TO CLEAN THEIR TEETH?
Dental problems can often start as mild discomfort for dogs, but if left untreated can lead to more serious health issues. Scheduling regular vet visits for teeth cleaning can help prevent dental conditions from developing.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY DOG/CAT/PETS 'S TEETH CLEANED?
Most veterinary dentists recommend professional pet teeth cleanings once a year for most breeds. In some cases, especially smaller breeds they may need 2 visits per year due to prevent loss of teeth.
WILL MY DOG/CAT/PET NEED ANAETHESTIC?
Yes, in some cases your pet must be anaesthetised to allow a thorough evaluation of his mouth. Clean his teeth above and below the gum line, and treat any painful dental conditions.
HOW CAN I KEEP MY DOG/CAT/PETS TEETH HEALTHY?
The number one thing you can do to prevent dental disease in your pet is regular brushing. Use a soft-bristled pet toothbrush and pet-safe toothpaste. It is best to start a routine for cat and dog teeth cleaning early with puppies and kittens. This will allow them to become comfortable with the feeling of a toothbrush in their mouth. While it’s slightly harder in adult dogs and cats. With positive reinforcement, it is a great way to make daily brushing achievable. Daily brushing is ideal for disease prevention and oral health. But doing it twice per week can have dramatic improvements in your pet’s health and well-being.
Giving your dog or cat just one dental treat per day will help prevent tartar buildup. In canine and cat teeth tartar buildup can lead to serious oral disease. Dental treats are great for reinforcement with brushing to create a pleasant experience for your pets. (Try dog dental chews or cat dental treats). Pet Treats high in sugar are likely to worsen dental health problems and are best avoided.
Lastly going for regular veterinary dental checks is vital to your pet’s dental health. Nothing can replace annual or biannual teeth cleaning under anaesthesia.
ARE DENTAL XRAYS REQUIRED?
Pet Dental care and dental X-rays can decrease the chance of developing serious dental disease. These should be performed when you or your veterinarian start to observe visible plaque and tartar.
Pet Dental X-rays can be a vital part of a dental evaluation. More than half of each tooth sits below the gum line and can’t be evaluated without imaging. A tooth where the visible portion seems clean and healthy can still have disease internally. Or maybe causing deterioration of the jawbone and tissues.
Many pet dental problems can only be detected through a thorough anesthetised oral evaluation and dental X-rays. The sooner the evaluation is performed, the more likely teeth can be treated. This way extractions and tissue damage can be avoided.