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Importance of dental health in pets

Why should we have our pet's teeth professionally cleaned?

Bad breath is not a normal situation in animals, it occurs mainly when there is a build-up of tartar on the teeth.

Tartar is the crystallisation of bacterial plaque that forms on the teeth due to the accumulation of minerals from saliva and food debris, which, in addition, is often accompanied by inflammation of the gums and bleeding.

Risks of tartar build-up on the teeth of animals:

  • Inflamed gums
  • Loss of teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Stomatitis
  • Endocarditis
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Septic arthritis 

Tartar build-up is more common in small breeds because most of their teeth are crowded into a small space. Pay special attention to the following breeds: Yorkshire, Pomeranian or Shit-Zu, French Bulldogs, Boxers or Pugs, amongst others.

However, tartar does not only affect dogs, you should also pay special attention to your cat's teeth.

If your dog or cat is more than 3 years old and has bad breath or tartar in the mouth, initially yellow and then brown, visit your vet.

How do we clean your dog's or cat's teeth?

This is a common procedure in our veterinary clinics, where with the animal anaesthetised and controlled, we use ultrasound equipment to remove tartar, bacterial plaque and any remaining dirt adhering to the surface of the animal's teeth. We finish the process using a special drill to polish the teeth and restore their healthy appearance.

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