Like cats, dogs can also get dental disease if their teeth are not looked after at home.

We encourage owners to brush their dog’s teeth from a young age to get them used to this and to be tolerant of dental exams. Brushing your dog’s teeth is the most effective way to prevent tartar build up, gingivitis and the development of periodontal disease. We provide guidance on tooth brushing a at our puppy clubs and then later in life as needed during our free oral care clinics.

Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums and the tissues that hold the teeth in place. It can lead to jawbone loss and loose teeth meaning teeth will need extracting. It is caused by plaque and bacteria in the mouth which can be prevented by preventative dental care. Tooth brushing is ideal, but alternative options such as food and water additives can be helpful and are also discussed in our oral care clinics.

Despite our best efforts, it is still possible to develop periodontal disease and for this to be treated, dogs must come in for a dental procedure. All of our dental procedures are performed under general anaesthesia to allow a full and adequate oral examination. Although humans can undergo conscious dental treatment, this is not safe for our furry patients and could cause more pain. It’s also really important to examine and remove tartar below the gum line; without this, dental disease will still progress despite the tooth on the surface looking clean and this can only be done in an anaesthetised patient.

For our dental exams, the first thing we do once the patient is under anaesthetic is to make up a chart of the patient’s mouth. This notes down a gingivitis and calculus score for each tooth. It also allows identification of loose teeth, fractures, root exposure and spaces around the tooth consistent with periodontal disease.

Once we have charted the patient’s mouth we will then scale the teeth, removing calculus and tartar and also cleaning under the gum line. The necessary extractions will then be performed with the aid of dental x-rays if needed. Finally, the teeth are polished and any extraction sites are flushed with an antibacterial wash.

Your dog will likely go home with further pain relief and occasionally antibiotics. A post op check will take place around 5 days later to ensure the mouth is healing well. We would advise coming for an oral health clinic about a month after this in order to try and help you maintain any remaining teeth as best you can.

Dog Specific problems

We may see tooth fractures and other oral injuries in dogs that chew inappropriate items. These may be sticks, bones or very hard chews.

We have seen patients with fractured teeth from chewing items that are too hard. These fractured teeth usually need to be extracted as the pulp cavity and nerve of the tooth can be exposed, causing pain and opening the tooth to infection. Dogs that chew sticks can be prone to injuries anywhere on the body but oral injuries due to sticks are common. Pieces of wood may get lodged between teeth, or in the roof of the mouth, or splinters of wood could penetrate the gum. This could go unnoticed for a while but may develop a swelling or abscess which may need surgical treatment.

Many dental problems in dogs can be prevented or slowed down with at-home care which highlights the importance of our RVN oral care clinics. If you have any concerns with your pet’s mouth then we encourage you to contact us on 01606 880890 or 01606 717969 for an appointment

Did you know we offer free ‘Oral Care Clinics‘?

Our Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN’s) offer free Oral Care Clinics to help provide and support you with preventative dental care and treatment for your pets. They have all completed the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) oral care certificate to ensure this is done to the highest standard possible.

Within these consultations, our RVN’s will assess and document oral findings and help create a tailored plan for each pet they see.  This involves examining your pets mouth with the aid of an ultraviolet light to show tartar, taking photos of your pets teeth and discussing the findings. From this, they will explain what preventative care options are available.

Tooth brushing is the best way to keep teeth healthy, but we understand that some patients may dislike their teeth being brushed so our nurses role will be to show you how to do this slowly and positively to build up to brushing at home. The nurses will then book you back in at regular intervals to see the progress you are making and to help fine tune your cleaning routine.

Despite the hard work that can go in to trying to brush our pets teeth, not all patients will tolerate it. If this is the case, then alternatives, such as chews and treats, special diets, and food and water additives will be discussed to decide which is best for you and your pet. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval is awarded to products that have been proven to be effective at reducing tartar and dental disease and you will find this on most of the products we recommend.

Although the main aim of our oral care clinics is to help you maintain good oral health in your pet and reduce the need for veterinary treatment, if your pets’ teeth are at a stage where we feel at-home care wouldn’t be adequate, then the RVN may recommend a dental procedure. We will discuss more about what happens during these in our later posts.

Once your pet has a dental procedure, we will book an initial post operative dental check with a nurse 5-7 days after. Our oral care clinics are then available again post dental to help support you in managing to keep on top of your pet’s dental health and prevent any problems from recurring.

If you have any concerns about your pets’ teeth then you can book an appointment with one of our nurses for an initial assessment. From there, they may refer you to see a vet, recommend dental treatment, or provide advice on at-home treatment to improve the current health of your pet’s mouth. Please contact us on 01606 880890 or 01606 717969