DENTISTRY
 Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
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Did you know?
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ORAL DISEASE BEGINS WITH A BUILD UP OF BACTERIA IN YOUR PET’S MOUTH
Here is a photo of Pooka, a Maltese Terrier, before and after his dental scale and polish. Pooka also required multiple extractions.
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DENTAL DISEASE CAN LEAD TO OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS
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COMMON SIGNS OF DENTAL DISEASE
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT DENTAL DISEASE IN YOUR PET
Pets can't brush their own teeth, but you can protect them from dental disease by combining a good dental homecare program, with regular dental examinations and a complete and balanced clinically proven dental food.
As well as receiving a thorough dental examination with your pet’s yearly check-up, Wilston Vet provides complimentary dental checks with our qualified nurses to help you keep your dog or cat’s teeth clean and improve their quality of life.
WE RECOMMEND:
HAVING YOUR PET’S TEETH PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED
Regular check ups, a good diet and at home care are fundamentals of good oral care for your pet. But sometimes this just isn’t enough. To give your pet’s teeth a clean start they may need to be professionally cleaned. Here is what is involved -
Anaesthesia is required to properly clean and polish your pet’s teeth. Anaesthesia is very safe and all animals are examined and assessed first. All patients have a tube placed in their throat that administers medical oxygen and anaesthetic gases throughout the procedure. Older and high-risk patients are given blood and urine tests and the use of alternative drugs to ensure their safety. Please talk to one of our vets for more details.
 Photo above- Pet undergoing a dental scale and polish under anaesthesia
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Scaling of the plaque from the tooth is done with an ultrasonic scaler that vibrates and breaks up the tartar without damage to the tooth. All tooth surfaces are carefully scaled, both inside and out.
After mechanical scaling is complete, hand scalers are used to complete the removal of plaque and tartar from below the gum line.
Polishing. After scaling, the tooth can still have a rough surface that allows the re-attachment of plaque. At Wilston Vet we have a variable speed dental polishing unit and use polishing paste that can restore a smooth healthy surface to the teeth, both above and below the gum line.
Extractions are often required where the tooth cannot be saved. The tooth may be broken, the roots may be rotten, the enamel may be too badly eroded, or the gums, bones and other supporting structures may be too far gone to continue to support the tooth. We are equipped with professional equipment including high-speed dental cutting burrs, elevators, forceps and root picks for such procedures.
Sometimes it is only possible to decide if a tooth can be saved, after the tartar has been removed. Occasionally, whether to extract a tooth or try to save it may even be influenced by the owner’s ability or willingness to keep the teeth and gums clean at home. Where brushing at home is not possible, it may be better to extract a tooth to ensure the health of the rest of the mouth.
This is our ultrasonic dental machine.
Antibiotics will often be prescribed, to kill the plaque bacteria immediately before, during and after the clean. Anti-inflammatories and pain-relievers are also given where necessary.
Complimentary recheck appointments are scheduled 4 days after your pet’s procedure
DENTAL MONTH
Dental Awareness Month is August so look out for in clinic promotions and discounts. Our waiting room has many dental displays for you to look at and we have giveaways and competitions as well.
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