Dentistry and Your Pet
During your annual vet check, you should also have your dog’s teeth checked. Healthy teeth and gums are important for your pet’s health and wellbeing. General maintenance of your dog’s teeth starts with the prevention of plaque build-up. Plaque traps germs leading to infection of the gums and periodontal tissue. Infection in the mouth can also enter the blood stream and affect major organs such as the heart and the kidneys. Corruption in the mouth can also pass into the blood stream and effect major organs such as kidneys and heart.
What Owners Can Do
You can help reduce plaque with daily brushing with vet recommended toothpaste designed for pets. You can also use dental hygiene chews which help combat plaque and tartar build-up. A good quality food helps with prevention of tartar and a reduced risk of gum disease. A prescription diet may be recommended for pets that already have issues with plaque build-up or gum disease.
Symptoms of dental disease includes : bad breath, pain when eating, red and swollen gums, loose or lost teeth, lower appetite, preference for soft foods, yellow or brownish build-up on the teeth at the gum line.
While you should have your pet’s teeth checked at the annual check-up, if you discover signs of dental health issues at any other point, ensure your pet is checked by your vet as soon as possible.
Hamilton Veterinary Clinic is equipped with the most sophisticated dental equipment including ultrasonic scalers, low and high speed dental drills as well as a dedicated dental x-ray unit. After treatment, your vet may require a more regular dental check-up for your pet.