Overview
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems affecting cats and dogs, with over 80% of pets showing signs by age three. Left untreated, dental disease can cause pain, tooth loss, and serious infections that may affect your pet's heart, liver, and kidneys.
At TKVets, we provide comprehensive dental care including examinations, scale and polish procedures, and extractions when necessary. Our goal is to keep your pet's mouth healthy, pain-free, and fresh.
What to Expect
- Pre-Dental Assessment: We examine your pet's mouth and may recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests to ensure they're fit for anaesthesia
- General Anesthesia: Safe anaesthesia is required for thorough cleaning and treatment
- Scale & Polish: We remove tartar above and below the gum line using ultrasonic scaling equipment
- Full Oral Examination: Every tooth is checked for disease, damage, or infection
- Extractions if Needed: Diseased or damaged teeth are removed to prevent pain and infection
- Pain Relief: Comprehensive pain management is provided throughout and after the procedure
- Same-Day Discharge: Most pets go home the same day with after-care instructions
Signs Your Pet May Need Dental Care
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Yellow or brown tartar buildup on teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Difficulty eating or dropping food
- Drooling or pawing at the mouth
- Loose or missing teeth
- Changes in chewing behaviour
After-Care
Following dental treatment, your pet will need:
- Soft food for a few days if extractions were performed
- Pain medication as prescribed
- No hard chews or toys for 7-10 days
- Gentle handling around the mouth area
- Regular tooth brushing at home (we'll show you how)
- Annual dental check-ups to maintain oral health
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my pet have a dental check-up?
We recommend annual dental examinations as part of your pet's routine health check, typically conducted during their yearly vaccination appointment. However, some pets may require more frequent monitoring depending on their individual dental health status, breed predisposition to dental disease, age, and diet. Small breed dogs and cats are particularly prone to dental problems and may benefit from examinations every six months. We'll advise you on the best schedule for your pet based on their specific needs.
What are the signs of dental disease in pets?
Common signs of dental disease include persistent bad breath (halitosis), difficulty eating or chewing, dropping food whilst eating, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, red or swollen gums, bleeding from the mouth, and visible yellow or brown tartar buildup on the teeth. You might also notice your pet becoming reluctant to eat hard food or showing signs of facial pain. If you observe any of these symptoms, contact us promptly for a dental examination to prevent the condition worsening.
Does my pet need anaesthesia for dental treatment?
Yes, general anaesthesia is absolutely necessary for proper dental cleaning and treatment. This ensures your pet remains comfortable and stress-free throughout the procedure whilst allowing us to safely and thoroughly examine, scale, and polish all tooth surfaces, including crucial areas below the gum line where most periodontal disease develops. Anaesthesia also enables us to perform dental X-rays when needed and complete any necessary extractions. We use modern, safe anaesthetic protocols with comprehensive monitoring throughout the procedure.
Can I prevent dental disease in my pet?
Regular tooth brushing at home is the gold standard for preventing dental disease in pets, ideally performed daily using pet-specific toothpaste. We can demonstrate proper brushing techniques and recommend appropriate products for your pet. Additionally, feeding dental-specific diets and providing dental chews can help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation. Regular professional dental examinations allow us to detect early signs of disease before they become serious problems. Starting dental care routines early in your pet's life establishes good habits that benefit them throughout their lifetime.
Is dental treatment safe for older pets?
With modern anaesthetic agents and comprehensive monitoring equipment, dental procedures are generally very safe for senior pets when properly managed. Before any procedure, we perform thorough pre-anaesthetic health assessments, including blood tests if indicated, to identify and manage any potential risks. The reality is that the significant benefits of treating painful dental disease—including improved quality of life, better appetite, and prevention of systemic infection—usually far outweigh the minimal anaesthetic risks involved in the procedure.