Dental Care

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in pets. While home care helps, many owners don’t notice problems until signs like bad breath or discomfort appear—our vets however are skilled at examining teeth and can detect problems early during routine check ups.

What’s Involved in a Professional Dental Cleaning?

Anaesthesia is essential for a safe, thorough cleaning. Pets can’t tolerate the noise or sensation of dental tools when awake. Anaesthesia ensures a stress-free procedure and allows a thorough examination and clean.

Pre-Anaesthetic Safety
To minimise risk, especially in older pets, we recommend a Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Profile to check organ function. IV fluids are also given to support circulation and reduce anaesthetic risk.

Before Dental Fasting:

• No food after 8:00 PM the night before surgery.
• Water is allowed overnight but should be removed in the morning.
  This reduces the risk of vomiting under anaesthesia.
• Where you pet has been diagnosed with a chronic illness or prescribed on going medications, follow the direction of your consulting vet or HERE you can find a list to the most common variances.

Dental Procedure Overview

Under anaesthesia, your pet receives a full oral exam and, if needed, dental X-rays to check for disease below the gumline. The procedure includes:

• Ultrasonic scaling to remove plaque and tartar
• Polishing to prevent future buildup
• Extractions, if teeth are too damaged or infected

For extractions:

• A local nerve block is used for pain relief and reduces anaesthetic requirements
• Antibiotics are given if an infection is present
• The mouth is rinsed with antibacterial solution
• Additional pain relief is provided post-procedure

Recovery & Home Care

Most pets go home 2–3 hours after the procedure. You’ll receive a personalised Dental Care Plan, which may include:

• Dental diets
• Water additives
• Brushing techniques

If extractions were done, a 7-day post-op check ensures proper healing before starting at-home care.

Ongoing Dental Maintenance

We recommend check-ups every 6 months to monitor oral health and update care plans.

Why It Matters

Untreated dental disease can cause pain, infection, tooth loss, and affect organs like the heart and kidneys. Routine dental care is vital to your pet’s health.