Dental Month FAQs

We check every pet’s teeth during their annual health check and vaccination. If signs of dental disease are found, we may recommend a recheck in six months. Dental Month is the perfect time to book a professional scale and polish under general anaesthetic at a reduced price.

Call us on 9913 7979 and our reception team can arrange an estimate for a scale and polish under general anaesthetic. On the day of the procedure, your vet will examine your pet and provide an updated estimate for any extra treatments, such as extractions or antibiotics. During Dental Month, the scale and polish is discounted by $115.

Ultrasonic scaling removes tartar using fine vibrations that can feel strange or uncomfortable. Even very calm pets won’t tolerate this awake. Anaesthesia allows us to clean every surface of every tooth safely and complete polishing to protect the enamel and slow plaque build-up.

A pre-anaesthetic blood test checks for hidden health problems and provides a valuable long-term health record. At Pittwater Animal Hospital, we include this test before every procedure. It helps detect age-related changes or illness that may not be obvious on examination, allowing us to make the anaesthetic as safe as possible.

Plaque and tartar can return quickly without daily brushing. Even if your pet had a dental procedure last year, we recheck annually and recommend another scale and polish if needed to prevent painful dental disease.

Teeth that are loose or have infection under the gum are permanently damaged and a source of pain. Leaving them in place allows further bone loss and can damage neighbouring teeth. Removing diseased teeth restores comfort and prevents ongoing infection.

When extractions are likely, we recommend dental X-rays (additional $200) to assess the bone around each tooth root. Loss of bone is the main reason to extract a tooth, and without X-rays, significant disease can be missed. Removing damaged teeth early prevents chronic pain and further deterioration.

Bones can help reduce plaque build-up but cannot treat infected or damaged teeth. Bones can also fracture teeth or cause digestive problems. If your vet recommends a tooth extraction, diet changes alone will not reverse the disease.

Start dental care early with the right diet and regular checks. Daily brushing (with a pet-safe toothbrush or wipes) is the gold standard. Dental diets, chews, and plaque-reducing powders can help, but professional cleaning is still essential when plaque and tartar build up.