Pet Dentistry

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Pets

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems affecting dogs and cats. In fact, by three years of age, most pets have some degree of periodontal (gum) disease, often without obvious signs. Left untreated, dental disease can cause chronic pain, infection, tooth loss and may affect your pet's overall health and quality of life.

At Bohle Veterinary Surgery, we believe good oral health is an essential part of your pet's preventative healthcare. Our experienced veterinary team provides comprehensive dental examinations, professional dental cleaning, digital dental radiography, tooth extractions and personalised home dental care advice to help keep your pet comfortable and healthy.

Why Is Dental Care Important?

Dental disease is much more than bad breath.

As plaque and tartar build up, bacteria cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Without treatment, this progresses to periodontal disease, damaging the gums, ligaments and bone supporting the teeth.

Dental disease can result in:

Pain and discomfort
Bad breath (halitosis)
Bleeding gums
Loose or broken teeth
Tooth root infections
Difficulty eating
Tooth loss
Reduced quality of life

Many pets continue to eat despite significant oral pain, making regular dental examinations essential.

Signs Your Pet May Need a Dental Check

Many pets hide the signs of dental pain.

Watch for:

Bad breath
Yellow or brown tartar build-up
Red or bleeding gums
Dropping food while eating
Difficulty chewing
Pawing at the mouth
Excessive drooling
Swelling around the face or jaw
Loose or broken teeth
Reduced appetite
Reluctance to play with toys or chew treats

If you notice any of these signs, we recommend booking a dental examination.

What Happens During a Dental Procedure?

A professional dental procedure allows us to thoroughly examine every tooth and treat disease that cannot be seen while your pet is awake.

Your pet's dental procedure includes:

Comprehensive oral examination
General anaesthetic
Ultrasonic scaling above and below the gum line
Polishing of every tooth
Periodontal assessment
Tooth extractions if required
Individualised pain management

Cleaning below the gum line is the most important part of a dental procedure and can only be performed safely under a general anaesthetic. Non-anaesthetic dental cleaning does not treat periodontal disease and is not recommended.

Anaesthesia & Patient Safety

Your pet's safety is our highest priority.

Every dental procedure includes:

A thorough pre-anaesthetic examination
Pre-anaesthetic blood testing where appropriate
Individual anaesthetic planning
Intravenous catheter placement
Intravenous fluid therapy when indicated
Advanced patient monitoring
Dedicated veterinary nurse monitoring throughout the procedure
Multimodal pain relief
Careful recovery monitoring

Modern anaesthesia allows us to safely examine, clean and treat your pet's teeth while protecting their airway and ensuring their comfort.

Tooth Extractions

Sometimes a damaged or diseased tooth cannot be saved.

Removing a painful tooth is often the best way to restore comfort and prevent ongoing infection.

Our team uses gentle surgical techniques and effective pain management to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

Many owners are surprised at how much brighter, happier and more active their pets become after painful teeth are removed.

Home Dental Care

Professional dental treatment is only one part of maintaining good oral health.

The best home dental care includes:

Daily tooth brushing using pet-specific toothpaste
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-approved dental diets, chews or dental products
Regular dental health checks
Prompt treatment when problems are identified

Starting tooth brushing when pets are young makes it much easier throughout their lives.

Brushing Teeth Daily

Teeth Friendly Chews and Toys

Special
Dental Diets

Human toothpaste should never be used, as it may be harmful if swallowed.

Dental Care Throughout Life

Puppies & Kittens

During routine health checks we monitor:

Baby tooth eruption
Retained deciduous (baby) teeth
Jaw alignment
Bite abnormalities

Early treatment can help prevent lifelong dental problems.

Adult Pets

Annual dental examinations allow us to detect plaque, tartar and periodontal disease before it becomes advanced.

Senior Pets

Older pets are more likely to develop:

Advanced periodontal disease
Broken teeth
Tooth root abscesses
Oral tumours
Tooth resorption in cats

Regular examinations help maintain comfort and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet still eats normally. Could they still have dental disease?

Yes. Dogs and cats instinctively hide pain and will often continue eating despite severe dental disease. Bad breath, tartar and red gums are often the first signs that treatment is needed.

Why does my pet need an anaesthetic for a dental clean?

A thorough dental procedure requires cleaning below the gum line, a complete oral examination and, where indicated, dental X-rays and treatment. These procedures cannot be performed safely or effectively while a pet is awake.

How often should my pet have a dental check?

We examine your pet's teeth at every routine health check. The need for professional dental cleaning varies depending on your pet's age, breed and oral health.

Can I prevent dental disease at home?

Daily tooth brushing is the gold standard for preventing plaque build-up. Dental diets, approved dental chews and regular veterinary examinations also play an important role in maintaining oral health.

Bohle Veterinary Surgery