Dental Health
at Benalla Veterinary Clinic
Dental Health
Just like humans, your pet’s teeth will need looking after also! The health of their teeth and gum’s has a significant impact on their overall quality of life. Imagine how your mouth would feel, and smell, if you never brushed your teeth. Imagine having a really bad toothache and not being able to tell anyone about it!
Dental disease begins with a build up of bacteria in your pet’s mouth. Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris, can cause plaque to accumulate on the tooth. As calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar (brown or yellow material starting near the gum line of the tooth). Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar build-up leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can cause oral pain, tooth loss and even heart or kidney problems.
Common signs of dental disease, in order of severity, include:
- Yellow-brown tartar around the gumline
- Inflamed, red gums
- Bad breath
- Change in eating or chewing habits (especially in cats)
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth
If your pet is showing any of these signs of dental disease please book an appointment to see one of our veterinarians or you may like to see a vet nurse who will be happy to do a FREE dental check on your pet.
Early assessment and action can save your pet’s teeth!
What does a professional dental clean involve?
It is the same as a scale and polish done by a dentist for us. However, unlike us, our pets won’t sit still or open their mouth to allow a comprehensive cleaning of their teeth. For this reason our pets need to have a general anaesthetic for a professional dental clean.
Your pet will need to be assessed by one of our veterinarians. The degree of dental disease will be assessed to determine if extractions, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories will be required. The assessment may also include a physical exam, blood tests and urine tests to ensure they are healthy prior to having an anaesthetic.
Once anaesthetised, we can give the teeth a thorough cleaning using our specialised dental equipment. Very detailed digital X-rays can now be taken if required.
When your pet goes home we will also discuss methods of reducing dental disease in the future, including specific dental diets, water additives and tooth brushing.
Rabbits also require regular dental check ups (at least annually) – over time they can develop severe dental disease especially if fed low – fibre diets. They have teeth that continually grow throughout their lives.
Book an Appointment with Us
We ask that you make an appointment if your animal requires veterinary attention. This ensures you will have fast and efficient service. This can now also be done online via our portal.
Proudly serving the pets of Benalla, Wangaratta, Euroa, Winton, Mansfield, Violet Town, Glenrowan, and the surrounding area.