DENTAL HEALTH CARE

Dental issues begin when oral bacteria, saliva, and food particles form plaque. If not removed, this plaque hardens into tartar (brown or yellow material starting near the gum line of the tooth) within just a few days. Left untreated, this leads to periodontal disease, an infection that destroys the supportive tissues around the teeth and can even spread bacteria to the heart and kidneys.

Watch for these red flags in your pet:

• Early Signs: Discoloured yellow-brown tartar near the gums or persistent bad breath.

• Progressive Signs: Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums.

• Behavioural Changes: Fussy eating, dropped food, or chewing on only one side of the mouth.

• Advanced Signs: Excessive drooling, pawing at the face, or visible pain when touched.

If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact us to book a dental assessment. Catching these signs early is the key to saving your pet's teeth.

Maintaining a healthy mouth starts at home. We recommend starting a routine as early as possible to get your pet comfortable with the process.

• Daily Brushing Your Pets Teeth: Always use pet-specific toothpaste, as human formulas contain ingredients that are toxic if swallowed.

• Targeted Nutrition: Feed pets raw, meaty bones or special dental diets. This can help reduce the accumulation of tartar, and act as a natural toothbrush.

• Supportive Aids: Dental chews, enzymatic treats, and specialised toys can further reduce tartar buildup.

Regular and frequent attention to your pet’s teeth may avoid the need for a professional dental clean under anaesthetic, and will also improve your pet’s overall health.

When home care isn't enough, a professional veterinary dental procedure is required. Because our patients won't "open wide" for a deep clean, these procedures are performed under general anesthesia to ensure a thorough, pain-free examination.

WHY WE USE A "STAGED DENTAL" APPROACH

At Narangba Veterinary Clinic, we prioritise safety and transparency. We divide complex dental work into two distinct phases. This "Staged" approach is similar to how human specialists operate and offers two major benefits:

Because our patients can’t pinpoint exactly where it hurts, digital dental X-rays are our most powerful diagnostic tool. At Narangba Veterinary Clinic, we use X-rays to look beyond the surface, evaluating the tooth from the crown all the way down into the jawbone.

A Stage 2 visit is only scheduled if our veterinarians identify teeth that require extraction or specialised surgical care during the initial assessment. Following the Stage 1 findings, we will provide you with a detailed and accurate cost estimate so there are no surprises at discharge.

To ensure the treatment plan remains accurate and to prevent further dental deterioration, we recommend that Stage 2 is performed within four weeks of the initial Stage 1 procedure. Our goal is to resolve your pet’s oral discomfort as efficiently as possible.

Why do we split this into two visits?

We often get asked why we don’t perform everything at once. At Narangba Veterinary Clinic, we follow a "safety first" protocol for two primary reasons: