Dental Health

80% of animals will experience some form of dental problem during their lifetime – don’t let your pet be one of them

You know it’s important to visit the dentist once a year to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. But did you know it’s just as important for your pet to have their teeth checked annually too?

Roughly 80% of animals will experience some form of dental problem during their lifetime. Add to this the fact that pets can be good at hiding discomfort, and you could have a pet with a problem. It’s for that reason regular check-ups are strongly advised.

“Bad breath is a tell-tale sign of tooth and gum disease. However, most problems are relatively straightforward to treat, so make sure you bring your companion to see us at the first sign of bad breath.” Kelly Hill – RVN

If your pet’s teeth aren’t cleaned regularly, plaque can begin to build up on them – this can lead to yellow/brown calculus and bad breath. If left to develop further, your pet may be at risk of infection which can cause pain, bleeding and receding gums, swelling and tooth loss.

The best way to ensure that your companion’s mouth is as healthy as possible is to bring them to see us once a year. During your pet’s annual check-up they will have their teeth and gums examined thoroughly for any symptoms that could indicate a problem. Should your pet then require treatment, you can rest assured that we have some of the most advanced technology and equipment to scale and polish teeth, and remove them if necessary.

Finally, there are a number of ways in which you can look after your pet’s teeth in between visits to see us. You can clean their teeth regularly (this is typically most effective if you get your companion into a routine while they’re young), offer them dental treats (be careful if your pet is overweight) and feed them a dry or partially dry diet (crunching is an abrasive action which helps to remove plaque build-up).

For more information about your pet’s dental health, or to book an appointment for them at Chapel House Vets, please contact our Chesterfield practice on 01246 222232, or our Staveley practice on 01246 477581.