Did you know that 80% of dogs in Australia are silently suffering from painful dental disease? While many dog owners think bad breath is normal for their furry friends, it can actually be a sign of dental disease that requires attention. At Vets on Parker, we specialise in comprehensive dental care to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Our expert team provides everything from routine cleanings to dental treatments, ensuring your furry friend can live a happy, healthy life free from dental discomfort.
Signs of dental disease in dogs include:
- Inflamed gums (gingivitis)
- Bad breath caused by bacteria in the mouth
- Discoloured teeth
- Loose teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Reluctant to eat hard food or chew
- Facial swelling
- Changes in behaviour (aggression, disrupted sleep patterns)
So, how can I care for my dog’s dental health?
1. Daily Chewing
Encourage your dog to chew daily for at least 5 minutes to help clean their teeth mechanically. Options include dental diets, specially designed chews, raw hides, and pigs’ ears.
2. Avoid Bones
Do not feed your dog bones. Cooked bones can splinter and cause serious internal damage, while raw bones can lead to pancreatitis or digestive issues.
3. Dental Diets
Hills Science Diet T/D is recommended for daily use as part of your dog’s diet. It’s designed to reduce tartar and calculus buildup.
4. Tooth Brushing and Mouth Rinses
Brushing your dog’s teeth, especially from a young age, is the best preventive measure for dental disease. Use dog-specific toothpaste and soft brushes. Antibacterial mouth rinses are also recommended to reduce bacteria that cause bad breath and periodontal disease.
5. Plaque Off and Water Additives
Plaque Off, a seaweed-based powder, helps prevent plaque buildup when added to your dog’s food. Water additives can also help neutralise bacteria growth in your dog’s mouth, but always provide fresh water alongside.
6. Veterinary Dental Cleaning
Regular professional dental cleanings by a vet can prevent irreversible dental disease and tooth loss, and remove infected or damaged teeth that cause pain. As part of your dog’s regular health assessments provided at Vets on Parker, your vet may recommend a professional dental scale and polish to:
-
- Prevent the onset of irreversible dental disease and tooth loss; and
- To extract infected and damaged teeth that might be causing your dog pain
Vets on Balwyn utilise dental X-rays, advanced ultrasonic cleaning equipment, and other facilities to provide the best dental care for your dog. After an ultrasonic clean is performed, the team at Vets on Balwyn will formulate a dental care plan tailored to your dog’s needs.
FAQs
Teeth cleaning (including a dental examination and X-rays to assess the roots of the teeth) can only be carried out under anaesthetic). This ensures your dog’s safety and comfort during the procedure..
Dental health in dogs is assessed on a scale of 0 to 4. The cost of cleaning your dog’s teeth varies depending on factors like:
- the severity of gum disease,
- the level of tartar buildup, and
- the potential need for tooth extraction due to damage.
To get an estimate of costs, book an appointment with one of our veterinarians.
Dental checks and daily home care are crucial for maintaining oral hygiene. Typically, dental check-ups once every 6 months are advised. But, the timing of these cleanings varies based on factors such as age, breed, existing dental conditions and how well they respond to home care. Our veterinarians can offer personalised recommendations tailored to your furry friend.
If your dog has a broken tooth, contact Vets on Balwyn to schedule an examination and appropriate treatment. Broken teeth can be painful and may lead to infection if left untreated.
