Pet Dentistry

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see in pets.  Left untreated, it can lead to:

• Bad breath

• Painful gums

• Loose or broken teeth

• Difficulty eating

• Bacterial infections

• Organ strain (especially the heart, kidneys and liver)

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Routine dental care is the best way to prevent these complications and keep your pet comfortable

A scale and polish is the gold standard for maintaining your pet's dental health.  This procedure includes:
 

Comprehensive Oral Examination

With your pet safely anaesthetised, we are able to thoroughly examine all teeth, gums and oral tissue.  This allows us to identify issues such as fractured teeth, root disease and deep gum pockets that cannot be seen while a pet is awake.

We include dental x-rays in all dental procedures to give us a clear picture of what is happening under the gumline.  Often teeth that look very dirty on the outside don't always need extraction!

All findings are charted by our surgical team and saved to your pet's file for any future reference.

Ultrasonic Scaling
Removes plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gumline.  Cleaning under the gumline is crucial - it's where dental disease starts and where at-home brushing can't reach.

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Polishing
After scaling, the teeth are polished to smooth the enamel and slow the future buildup of plaque and tartar.

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A professional scale and polish improves breath, reduces oral bacteria, and helps prevent painful dental disease

All Veterinary dental cleanings are performed under a general anaesthetic - not because the procedure is risky, but because it is the safest and most humane way to perform high-quality dentistry.  Pets need anaesthesia because:

1. It Allows Thorough, Pain-Free Cleaning

A complete clean requires working below the gumline and around every tooth surface.  This cannot be done safely or comfortably while a dog or cat is awake.

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2. It Protects the Airway
Anaesthesia allows us to place a breathing tube, which keeps water, debris, and bacteria from entering the lungs.

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3. It Allows Accurate Assessment
With your pet still and relaxed, we can carefully inspect the entire mouth, take x-rays, and identify hidden disease.

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4. It Ensures Safety for the Pet and Staff
Dental tools - especially ultrasonic scalers - can be dangerous if a pet moves suddenly.  Anaesthesia makes the dental procedure precise, effective, and safe.

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Signs your pet may need dental care include:

• Bad breath

• Yellow or brown tartar

• Red or bleeding gums

• Drooling or dropping food

• Pawing at the mouth

• Reduced appetite

• Discomfort when eating

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Even if your pet shows no symptoms, dental disease can be silently progressing below the gumline.

Regular dental care leads to fresher breath, healthier gums, and a happier pet.  Our team is here to guide you through each step - from dental assessments to professional cleaning and long-term home care.