February is the national Dental Health Month

For humans, brushing teeth twice a day to prevent cavities and plaque is second nature. For pets, however, brushing was long considered “excessive and unnecessary,” but numerous studies have shown just how important it is to brush their teeth to keep their mouths healthy!

Food residues and oral bacteria form a so-called biofilm on the teeth (plaque). Initially, this is invisible, but new bacteria and food particles adhere to it, leading to mineralization and tartar formation. This results in inflammation and pain in the gums, known as gingivitis. This can develop even at a young age.

Most animals will not readily show that they have dental pain and will almost always continue eating as usual. In more severe cases, however, it can lead to abnormal chewing,, bad breath or educed grooming behavior. worden gezien.

The good news is that gingivitis is still reversible with the right treatment aimed at removing and preventing plaque buildup. Your pet helps to some extent by chewing properly and through the natural substances in their saliva, but you can assist by brushing your pet’s teeth daily. This may sound challenging, but experience shows that with plenty of patience and rewards, most pets will eventually allow their teeth to be brushed.

With daily brushing, there’s a good chance you can keep your pet’s teeth healthy and avoid the need for veterinary treatment; prevention is better than cure! We recommend visiting the clinic at least once a year for a general health check-up, during which we will also assess the condition of your pet’s teeth and provide advice. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis – an inflammation that can affect the gums, teeth, and even the jawbone.

In some cases, brushing just isn't possible, the effect may be insufficient, or there may be other dental issues where brushing alone won't help (such as FORL in cats, double teeth, crooked bite, or broken teeth). In such situations, a treatment by the veterinarian is necessary to prevent chronic pain and inflammation. Under general anesthesia, we will assess all dental elements (sometimes with dental X-rays to evaluate the roots), clean and polish the teeth, and perform the necessary treatments (after prior consultation with you).

Free dental check-ups

Because it can be difficult for you as an owner to look properly in your pet's mouth and recognize problems, we invite you to visit us during the months of January & February for a free dental check- up for your pet (s).

This is a brief consultation with one of our veterinary technicians – the teeth will be assessed, and advice will be given for proper oral care. If the recommendation is to schedule a dental treatment, you will receive a free dental care product to take home along with a prevention plan after the treatment.

If a treatment is not necessary and you have received brushing advice, you will receive a 5% discount on all dental care products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and chew sticks.

If you would like to take advantage of the brief dental consultation or order products, please let us know by phone (020-1619548).