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Dental Hygiene

You may be surprised to learn that your pet’s teeth are very similar to yours

Pets lose their milk teeth, are susceptible to tooth and gum disease and should have a dental check-up once a year

It’s extremely important that your pet is receiving these regular dental check-ups. At The Neighbourhood Vet, your pet will have their teeth and gums thoroughly checked each time they visit us for a routine health check. Both tooth and gum disease can become extremely painful if left to develop. In extreme cases, certain oral problems can even lead to death.

We Recommend

As with most things, preventative care is the most effective approach to your pet’s health. For that reason we recommend the following for your pet in-between visits to see us:

  • Brushing your pet’s teeth – The easiest way to get your pet used to having their teeth brushed is to start the process from an early age. You should always use specialist animal toothpaste and never human products. All our vets and nurses are happy to demonstrate how to brush your pet’s teeth (including cats!) as it can be a bit of a challenge at first and it’s important to get it right from the start. We have lots of home-care information for you so please don’t hesitate to ask.
  • A dry or partially dry diet – When an animal chews on a hard biscuit it will act in an abrasive way against their teeth, removing any plaque build-up (which in time leads to tartar and eventually disease).
  • Dental treats – As well as removing plaque, dental treats can also prevent bad breath. Please note: overweight animals should not be given dental treats too often.

If your pet ever begins to demonstrate any of the following symptoms you should make an appointment for them to see one of our veterinary professionals as soon as possible:

  • Quiet or subdued behaviour
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Not eating/difficulty eating/chewing on one side of the mouth
  • Keen to eat (visiting the food bowl) but then moving away from the bowl
  • Excess salivation
  • Face swelling (in severe cases)

Should your pet ever need dental treatment, they’re in the best possible hands at The Neighbourhood Vet. As well as having a team of highly experienced veterinary staff, we also have some of the most advanced equipment available.