Warning Signs Your Pet Needs a Dental Checkup
Persistent bad breath: A strong or foul smell from your pet mouth usually indicates bacterial activity in the mouth – a classic sign of active gum disease or tooth decay.
Difficulty eating or chewing: If your pet avoids hard food, chews on one side only, or drops food, dental pain is likely. Common causes are a fractured tooth, gum disease, or a tooth root abscess.
Pawing at the mouth: Pets that repeatedly paw at their muzzle or rub their face along the floor are usually experiencing oral discomfort.
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums: Healthy gums are pale pink and firm. If gums appear red, puffy, or bleed when touched, periodontal disease is likely already present.
Visible tartar: Yellow or brown deposits along the gumline indicate significant plaque buildup. Tartar cannot be removed with brushing – it requires professional descaling under anaesthesia.
Loose or missing teeth: Adult teeth should never be loose. Loose teeth indicate advanced periodontal bone loss.
Behaviour changes: Increased irritability, reluctance to be touched around the head, or reduced appetite can all signal chronic oral pain.
Why Professional Dental Cleaning Is Essential
At-home brushing slows plaque accumulation but cannot remove established tartar, and cannot address what happens below the gumline – where most serious dental disease starts. A professional dental cleaning at Paw Sisters includes:
Full oral examination – every tooth assessed for fractures, resorption, mobility, and pocket depth.
Dental X-rays where indicated – revealing root fractures, bone loss, and abscesses invisible externally.
Ultrasonic scaling – removing tartar under general anaesthesia, the only way to clean below the gumline thoroughly and pain-free.
Polishing – smoothing tooth surfaces to slow plaque reattachment after cleaning.
Extractions if needed – severely damaged or infected teeth removed to eliminate pain and prevent spread.
How Often Does My Pet Need a Dental Checkup?
For most cats and dogs, an oral examination once a year is the minimum. Pets that accumulate tartar quickly may need cleaning every 6 months. Small breeds such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers are particularly prone to dental disease and often need more frequent attention.
Book a Dental Examination at Paw Sisters
If your pet is showing any of the signs above – or if it has been more than 12 months since their last oral examination – book at Paw Sisters in Al Garhoud, Dubai. Call 04 259 8688 or book online. We are open 7 days a week.
