In truth, many of us remember a time when no one spoke of pet dental health – or maybe erroneously relied on bone chewing as the sole dental hygiene practice. However, current statistics estimate that 95% of dogs and cats will have dental disease requiring correction at some point during their lives.

Dental disease can trigger other common conditions and diseases that can impact your pet’s health when dental hygiene and care are ignored. Some of them you may be familiar with. Others are not as well known or common, but can present pain, discomfort, and infection. A preventative approach will better ensure your pet’s oral and dental health, even through the golden years.

Dead, Worn, or Fractured Teeth – Whether caused by chewing on hard objects, an oral tumor or trauma, abnormalities in your pet’s teeth can lead to serious infections that can spread to the heart and other vital organs. One of the common signs of dead or dying teeth is discoloration. Unfortunately, this sign is often ignored as normal until a serious health risk is posed. Even if no severe infection has developed, your pet is likely in pain or discomfort, which in turn can result in difficulty chewing food and resulting in weight loss or nutritional deficiencies.

Periodontal Disease – Periodontal disease (gum disease) is caused by a buildup of bacteria in plaque, that film that develops over teeth. As the levels of bacteria increase, so too, your pet’s immune defenses as white blood cells attack the invading bacteria. As enzymes are released, they, in turn, begin to break down the tissues of the gums, resulting in chronic inflammation. Untreated, periodontal disease can result in pain, tooth loss, and bacterial infections that can be life-threatening.

Lesions – While we often focus on dogs when it comes to oral and dental diseases, feline oral resorptive lesions are the second most common type of oral disease in pets. It has been reported that 60% of cats over 6 years of age have at least one lesion, and those that have one usually have more.

Abscesses – An abscess is a serious infection around the root and tissues surrounding the tooth. Often caused by a tooth breaking (from chewing on bones, antlers, etc.), a severe, painful infection can develop and require the tooth to be extracted or, when possible, saved by a root canal.

Common Signs of Pet Dental Disease

While each of these oral or dental challenges present their own, unique symptoms, here are some of the more tell-tale signs that your dog or cat is dealing with dental or oral disease or is experiencing pain.

  • Broken or worn teeth
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Drooling
  • Loss of appetite or difficulty eating
  • Bleeding from mouth
  • Rubbing or pawing at mouth
  • Discolored teeth
  • Behavioral changes

If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a thorough examination. The sooner infections or other serious dental or oral problems are diagnosed, the better the treatment results. Remember: early diagnosis and treatment can save teeth, prevent long-term pain, and help extend the life of your pet.