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 Parker utilises dental X-rays, sophisticated ultrasonic cleaning equipment, and other facilities to provide the best dental care for your dog. After an ultrasonic clean has been performed, the team at Vets on Parker will formulate a dental care plan tailored to your dog’s needs.
FAQs
A full dental examination (including dental X-rays to visualise the teeth’s roots) and cleaning can only be performed when a patient is anaesthetised. This is the best practice to prevent unnecessary stress and fear in your furry friend.
Dental disease in dogs is graded from 0 to 4. Depending on the level of tartar present, the severity of gum disease, and the number of teeth requiring extraction due to irreparable damage, the cost of your dog’s teeth cleaning can vary.
Please schedule an appointment with one of our vets so they can assess and provide an estimate.
The frequency of cleanings depends on factors like:
- age,
- breed, and
- existing dental issues.
Generally, 6-month dental check-ups are recommended. If needed, one of our vets can provide personalised guidance based on your dog’s needs.
If your dog has a broken tooth, contact your vet immediately. Broken teeth can be painful and may lead to infection if left untreated.
One of our vets can assess the extent of the damage and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include extraction or other dental procedures.
