![\"vets](\"https:\/\/www.ledburyvets.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/leadovale-practice-300x200.jpg\")
We\u2019re giving pet owners advice on how to look after their animals\u2019 dental health as part of an awareness campaign from January to March 2019.<\/p>\nWe\u2019re giving pet owners advice on how to look after their animals\u2019 dental health as part of an awareness campaign from January to March 2019.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re urging people to be vigilant when looking after their pet\u2019s pearly whites, as dental disease among cats, dogs and rabbits is one of the most common problems dealt with at its three branches.<\/p>\n
As part of our awareness campaign, we\u2019re offering free dental health checks with a vet nurse at all of its practices from January until March 31, during which nurses will examine pets\u2019 mouths and give advice, if needed, on what treatment may be appropriate.<\/p>\n
Dr Kevin Wood, our clinical director, said the aim of the campaign was to encourage pet owners to be aware of the risks faced by animals and to prevent issues going forward.<\/p>\n
Dr Wood said: \u201cUnfortunately, dental disease is extremely common in pets due to a combination of dietary and genetic factors. If we didn\u2019t follow our dentist\u2019s advice and look after our teeth by brushing twice a day, think what our mouths and teeth would be like \u2013 pets are no different.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout daily brushing, plaque can build up on animals\u2019 teeth and this contains a complex film of bacteria which cannot always be seen by the naked eye but can be damaging to gums and roots.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf plaque isn\u2019t removed it can build up and become calcified. The brown substance which can be seen on the teeth of cats and dogs is tartar, which can allow more bacteria to grow and cause more damage if left untreated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis can eventually lead to toothache, gingivitis (gum infection) and tooth loss. All these conditions can be very painful and you may see your pet having difficulties eating.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegular proactive dental care can help prevent oral health issues. Daily brushing with pet-friendly toothpaste will help reduce the build-up of plaque and there are also a number of prescription dental diets which can be used to help prevent plaque build-up and keep teeth clean.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor cats and dogs where tartar is already present, a scale and polish under a general anaesthetic is needed to remove the build-up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Wood also warned dog owners of potential dangers to their pet from chewing on what may seem an innocuous object, such as a tennis ball.<\/p>\n
Dr Wood said: \u201cWithout sounding like a killjoy, tennis balls are not best friends to our dogs\u2019 teeth. The tennis ball fibres collect sand, dirt and grit which can be very abrasive and, along with the tennis ball fibres themselves, they can wear teeth down so the root is left exposed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen choosing a ball for your dog to play with, it\u2019s best to choose a soft or rubber ball. It\u2019s also important not to let your dog or cat chew and play with hard or brittle items which could cause painful fractures to their teeth.\u201d<\/p>\n
To find out more the dental health campaign search for us on Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re giving pet owners advice on how to look after their animals\u2019 dental health as part of an awareness campaign from January to March 2019. We\u2019re urging people to be vigilant when looking after their pet\u2019s pearly whites, as dental disease among cats, dogs and rabbits is one of the most common problems dealt with… <\/p>\n