Small dogs and cats from four years of age upwards especially suffer from bad teeth. Dental problems start with plaque production on the back teeth, causing a bad odour and inflammation of the gums.

As the plaque contains and maintains a large variety of bacteria, by the time it produces stomatitis, gingivitis and the so-called ‘neck lesions’ on the back teeth, the roots of the back teeth are becoming infected. They suffer decay, the inflamed gum loosens around the roots, and by the time the back teeth fall out, the animal has suffered pain, swelling and the production of pus.

In the worst cases, the infection passes over to the tonsils, and through the blood stream bacteria reach the heart valves, causing an infectious endocarditis (an infection with pus in the heart valves). This infection is life threatening, and can kill older dogs or cats.

It is therefore very important for your pet to have regular dental checks, and if necessary, consecutive teeth cleaning. Animals with heart problems are at a higher risk of suffering heart problems and infections caused by bad teeth, in exactly the same way as human. Hence it is advisable to have their teeth cleaned whenever it is necessary.

The cleaning procedure is the same as with humans, employing a special ultrasound cleaner which leaves the ‘neck lesions’ on the back teeth completely clean. And since this cleaner is able to reach dental parts beneath the gum, the plaque is thoroughly removed. The inflammation calms down and the gum tightens up again around the roots of the back teeth. And the animal is once again able to chew biscuits without pain!