Just like us, our pets need to go to the dentist regularly for check ups, cleans and extractions too. Here at Brunswick Central Vet Clinic we have many veterinarians and veterinary nurses that have extensive knowledge on dental hygiene and can help ensure your pet is nice and happy with healthy teeth!
What is periodontal disease?
Does your pet have bad breath, trouble eating, red gums or discoloured teeth? These can be crucial indicators of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, occurring.
Periodontal disease is often present even when your pet’s teeth appear to be in good condition. According to study, 85% of dogs and cats have gum disease by the age of three years old. The most noticeable symptom of gum disease is bad breath, but other warning signs include appetite loss, red or inflamed gums, teeth that are yellowing or teeth that are loose.
Periodontal disease progresses through four primary phases, from modest gingivitis (gum inflammation) or small plaque build up to severe gingivitis to moderate or serious gum recession (periodontitis), which can lead to tooth loss or even damage to bone tissue.
Dental check-ups
To assess whether your pet has periodontal disease we recommend animals come in for 6 monthly dental checks with any of our experienced vets or nurses to evaluate their teeth and gums to assess signs of periodontal disease. All pets are allowed unlimited free dental checks with veterinary nurses. During the check we will create a plan with you to ensure your pets dental health is cared for effectively through at home prevention or a dental cleaning procedure done in our clinic.
Preventing periodontal disease?
There are multiple different options to prevent periodontal disease which you can choose from:
- Toothbrushes
- Specialized dental diets that aid in cleaning the teeth
- Dental wipes
- Dental treats
- Teeth wipes etc.
These can all be used at home and if you make an appointment with us we can discuss which option will work best for you and your pet at home.
Dental cleaning and staging
If your pet has periodontal disease and requires a dental procedure there is nothing to worry about. We have multiple veterinarians in the clinic who have a special interest in dentistry, including Dr Tania who has gone and done additional studies to further her knowledge of animal dentistry.
For our dental procedures we perform staged treatments as research shows two shorter anaesthetics are safer and allow better recovery than one long procedure. This approach does not add extra fees. These staged procedures are:
- Stage 1: Includes x-rays, full dental assessment, scaling, and polishing. You’ll receive your Best For Pet discount here.
- Stage 2: Involves any necessary extractions, usually done 1–2 weeks later. Both stages are booked together, and Stage 2 is cancelled if not needed.
- Stage 3: For any additional extractions that were not able to be done in stage 2 due to increased risk of a longer anaesthetic.
We’ll provide estimates for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 up front and adjust the Stage 2 estimate after Stage 1 if needed. If only minor extractions are required, they may be completed during Stage 1 at the vet’s discretion.
Dental procedures are done under general anaesthetic as a day stay. Pets are usually admitted between 8–9am and go home later that day once they have recovered.
