Your pet’s teeth won’t look after themselves

What causes dental disease?

Dental disease is inflammation of the teeth and gums caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar. Plaque, which is made up of food particles, saliva, and bacteria, sticks to the tooth surface and if not removed, will calcify into tartar.

Tartar also builds up below the gum line, making it harder to tell if your pet is developing or already suffering from dental disease. This tartar destroys tissue and bone, resulting in your pet’s bad breath, oral pain, and tooth decay or tooth loss. If left untreated, severe dental diseases can lead to heart, liver, and kidney problems.

The good news is, in most cases, dental disease is preventable.

Visit your vet for a dental check up.

Book now

What are the signs of dental disease?

Discolouration or build-up of plaque/ tartar on teeth
Bad breath
Difficulty eating or loss of appetite
Redness or inflammation of the gum
Pawing at the mouth
swelling under the eye
Discomfort, lumps or bleeding around the mouth

Book now

80% of dogs and cats have dental disease. And it’s preventable.

How can I help my pet have healthy teeth and gums?

Regular vet checks will help to identify any development of dental disease. For adult pets with existing dental disease, a scale and polish under general anaesthetic is often necessary to get their mouth back into top condition. This will allow us to start preventative measures with a clean mouth and prevent, or slow down, dental disease developing again in the future. There are things you can do at home such as follows:

Introduce specialty dental diets that can significantly reduce the development of tartar.
Feed chewy treats are also specifically designed to reduce tartar, promote healthy gums and freshen breath.
If your pet is calm and relaxed, daily brushing of their teeth with a specially designed pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste is also beneficial.

For more information about how to keep your pet’s teeth healthy, visit your local Greencross Vets.

Find a vet

Before and after dental procedure

A dental scale and polish procedure is sometimes required depending on the grade of dental disease present. It includes charting and scaling, both ultrasonically and by hand, and then finishing with a polish.

Just like your own dentist, we use specialised instruments to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable throughout the procedure.

Book now

Dental Disease & Your Pet

Book online for a dental check up

Your pet’s teeth won’t look after themselves

What causes dental disease?

Visit your vet for a dental check up.

What are the signs of dental disease?

80% of dogs and cats have dental disease. And it’s preventable.

How can I help my pet have healthy teeth and gums?

Before and after dental procedure