01803 247999 01626 247999 Email Us

01803 247999 01626 247999 Email Us

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FREE Nurse Dental Clinics

80% of cats and dogs over 3 years old have dental disease

Free Dental clinics to check your pet’s teeth

Bay Vet Group believes that a healthy smile is very important for the health of your pet. We offer free dental checks with our nurses and always check your pet’s teeth when we see them for a health check.  These clinics are not appropriate for your pet if you have concerns over their general health for example they are not eating or are in pain.  If the nurse feels that your pet would benefit from dental treatment then you will be offered a consultation with our dental vet who will be able to diagnose the problem, advise on the best course of treatment and can prescribe medication for your pet if required.  

Why dental disease is so important

Over 85% of dogs and cats have some type of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease simply means that the gums and bone that hold the teeth in place are being destroyed by bacteria in the mouth. This preventable disease is the number one diagnosed disease in our pets, yet many animals suffer needlessly.

We offer FREE dental checks with our nurses to see if there is a problem.

Dogs and cats hide pain very well and will continue to eat even when their mouth hurts a lot. If your pet has smelly breath or dribbles a lot then tooth problems could be the cause.

If our nurses are concerned they will refer you to make an appointment to see our dental vet for a consultation.

The free nurse consult is not appropriate if you feel your pet is in pain or is struggling to eat.  if this is the case then you need to make an appointment with our vets for a consultation to be prescribed treatment.

 

Daily brushing really helps

The best way to stop tooth problems is brushing daily.  Some dental chews and special foods can also help.  Our FREE dental checks will show you how to clean your pet’s teeth and which products work well.

We recommend an enzymatic toothpaste (DO NOT use human toothpastes because the fluoride is toxic to pets) , Whimzee Brushzees and Veggie Dent chews and Hills t/d food.

Tooth brushing
Signs of periodontal disease

  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Difficulty eating
  • Chewing on one side of the mouth
  • Dropping food
  • Pawing at the face
  • Rubbing the face on the floor
  • Drooling
  • Becoming head shy
  • Painful mouth/face
  • If an abscess forms there may be a large swelling on the side of the head

How does dental disease start?

Periodontal disease begins with plaque
Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue, which is caused by plaque. Plaque is a mixture of saliva, bacteria, glycoproteins and sugars that adhere to the tooth surface. Within minutes after a cleaning, a thin layer of plaque has adhered to the teeth.
Plaque becomes tartar
Eventually this hardens to become calculus or tartar. Calculus by itself is not a problem – it does not cause disease. However, it does create a rough surface for more plaque to adhere to, and pushes the gums away from the teeth, which increases surface area for more plaque to adhere.
Bacteria destroys the bone holding the tooth
Eventually, the supporting structures of the tooth (bone, tissue, periodontal ligament) are destroyed and the tooth becomes mobile and will either fall out on its own or need to be extracted.
What can you do to help?
Veterinarians recommend the following care for pets:

STEP 1: Bring your pet in for a FREE dental exam. Don’t wait for his annual check-up if you suspect a problem.

STEP 2: Begin a dental care regimen at home. Brushing your pet’s teeth daily is very important. We also recommend using a specially formulated dental rinse, and dental chews and food. Please ask us if you need instructions on brushing your pet’s teeth, or if you have any other questions.

STEP 3: Schedule your pets for an annual teeth cleaning with x-rays. This is also very important and ensures we are catching any disease early enough to treat. Periodontal disease and oral bacteria can easily affect other organ systems including the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain.

Dawlish

01626 862020

Opening times
Mon-Fri: 8-7
Sat: 9-1
Sun: CLOSED

Newton Abbot

01626 247999

Opening times
Mon-Fri: 9-6
Sat: CLOSED
Sun: CLOSED

Paignton

01803 467999

Opening times
Mon-Fri: 8-7
Sat: 8-4
Sun: CLOSED

Teignmouth

01626 778882

Opening times
Mon-Fri: 9-6
Sat: CLOSED
Sun: CLOSED

Torquay

01803 314940

Opening times
Mon-Fri: 9-6
Sat: CLOSED
Sun: CLOSED

Bay Vet Group is a thriving independent and locally owned veterinary practice with a highly experienced team and advanced equipment. Providing our local community with exceptional, appropriate, veterinary care to enhance the happiness of pets and support the people they share their lives with.