Dentistry

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions in cats and dogs. It can be painful for your pet and is also linked to other health issues, including kidney, heart, and liver disease. In fact, up to 80% of pets are affected by dental disease.

Signs of dental disease

Watch for:

• Smelly breath
• Drooling or dropping food
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss

Dental treatment at Lathlain Vet Clinic

Cats and dogs require a general anaesthetic for a full dental assessment and treatment, as we cannot examine teeth thoroughly while they are awake. This allows us to clean below the gum line and assess oral health properly.

We perform dental X-rays with all scale and polish procedures to assess the tooth roots and detect hidden disease below the gum line. Severely affected teeth are often removed to prevent ongoing pain and future complications.

You can book online today for a dental check-up or contact Lathlain Vet Clinic on (08) 9470 4445

Teeth Cleaning / Scale & Polish Procedures

When there is significant build-up of plaque, tartar, or dental calculus, a professional dental procedure under general anaesthetic is required. This allows for a safe and thorough examination and enables ultrasonic scaling to remove debris from both above and below the gum line.

Excessive tartar accumulation commonly leads to halitosis (bad breath), as well as gingivitis, which appears as redness and inflammation along the gum margin. If left untreated, this can progress to periodontal disease, resulting in gum ulceration, infection, bone loss, and loosening of teeth. In advanced cases, infection may lead to purulent discharge from the gums.

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent progression and reduce long-term pain and tooth loss.

The frequency of dental procedures varies between individual pets and is influenced by factors such as breed, diet, metabolism, and the level of preventative care provided at home. Small breed dogs are generally more prone to dental disease and require more frequent dental care than larger breeds. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds are also at increased risk due to dental crowding, which contributes to faster plaque accumulation and reduced natural cleaning of the teeth.

Regular dental assessment is recommended to determine the most appropriate timing for professional cleaning and ongoing home care strategies.