Your pet’s dental health is about more than fresh breath—it’s about comfort, longevity, and whole-body wellness. Many pet parents underestimate how severe oral disease can become: from pain and tooth loss to potentially life-threatening conditions. Recent data show very high rates of dental problems in both dogs and cats. For example, one large-scale analysis found that 73% of dogs and 64% of cats seen by veterinary practices had a dental-related diagnosis.1
We’re exploring the most common dental issues in companion animals, what signals to watch, and how you can proactively support your pet’s dental health.
Why pet dental health should be a priority
- The mouth is a gateway to systemic health. In pets, just like humans, bacteria and inflammation from the gums (periodontal disease) can be associated with conditions affecting the kidneys, heart, and more.1
- Many pets hide pain. In a year-long study of 22,333 dogs, approximately 12.5% were affected by dental disease, and many cases go undetected because pets continue eating despite pain.2
- Prevention is far cheaper (and better for quality of life) than treating advanced disease—early intervention avoids extractions, infections, and systemic complications.
Common dental issues in dogs
1. Periodontal (gum) disease
- According to one estimate, periodontal disease affects 80-89% of dogs older than three years.3
- It starts with plaque (a film of bacteria) which mineralizes into tartar/calculus; beneath the gumline, bacteria and their toxins can cause pain, discomfort, and loss of teeth.4
- Because dogs don’t always show obvious signs of dental discomfort (no “ouch” signal), owners often underestimate severity.5
Why it matters: According to Banfield, periodontal disease in dogs has been linked with increased risk of chronic kidney disease and heart valve infections
2. Tooth fractures & wear
- Dogs may chew aggressively, play with hard objects, or have misaligned teeth that predispose them to fractures (cracks entering the pulp) or excessive wear.
- Why it matters: A fractured tooth can lead to pain, root infections, and abscesses, which may require extraction or a root canal.
- Tip: If you see a sharp chip, a brown or pink discolouration in the crown, or your dog now drops food or resists chewing, get a dental check-up.
3. Retained deciduous (“baby”) teeth, malocclusion
- Some breeds (especially small-breed dogs) may retain deciduous teeth, which can crowd permanent teeth, trap plaque, and accelerate gum disease. For example, Banfield reported data from large-scale veterinary records which found that extra-small breeds (<14.3lbs) had up to 5-times greater risk of periodontal disease than giant breeds.
- Malocclusion (mis-bite) or abnormal alignment (for example, from inherited jaw conformation) also creates abnormal wear, trauma, and periodontal risk.
What to do: Ask your vet about routine puppy dental screening (deciduous-tooth retention) and corrective options if needed.
Common dental issues in cats
1. Gingivitis → periodontitis
- Data shows that 50% to 90% of cats older than 4 years suffer some form of dental disease.6
- Gingivitis (gum inflammation) is reversible with early care; if untreated it may progress to periodontitis.
Signs: red/swollen gums, plaque/tartar, drooling, head tilt when eating, decreased appetite, reluctance to chew.
2. Tooth resorption (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs))
- Particularly common in cats: the body essentially resorbs the tooth, beginning often at the gum-crown junction.6
- These lesions can be quite painful yet subtle (cats hide pain well).
What to do: Regular dental checks, radiographs may be needed, extraction is often the treatment.
3. Stomatitis / gingivostomatitis
- Some cats develop a severe inflammatory condition affecting gums and mucosa (often immune-mediated, associated with virus/infection).
- Watch for: severe bad breath, ulceration, drooling, and weight loss.
Why it matters: Treatment often involves extractions of many teeth plus medical management.
Signs your pet may have dental disease
- Bad or persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Yellow-brown buildup (tartar) at gum line
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Drooling, especially when eating or play-chewing
- Difficulty chewing, dropping food, reluctance to eat hard kibble
- Loose or missing teeth, broken teeth, discolored teeth (brown, pink)
- Pawing at face/mouth, head tilt/turn when chewing
- Weight loss or behavioral change (e.g., less playful, hiding)
- For cats: sudden change in food-preference (soft only), reluctance to eat, avoiding food.
Red flags requiring immediate veterinary attention:
- Facial swelling (possible tooth root abscess)
- Severe bleeding from mouth
- Teeth suddenly discoloured or fractured
- Large amounts of drooling in dog/cat not otherwise heavy drooler
- Sudden refusal to eat, especially hard food
- Swelling under the eye or cheek (possible dental fistula)
- For cats: visible holes in teeth, severe pain signs (yowling, aggression, hiding).
Prevention and home care strategies
1. Daily and routine home care
- Daily brushing with pet-safe toothpaste & soft pet-toothbrush is considered the gold standard.3
- Start young to get them comfortable with brushing early on.
- Brush the outside of upper teeth (where plaque accumulates) with small gentle circles near the gum-line.
- Dental chews, toys, and diets formulated for dental care can help—without replacing routine brushing and professional care.7
- Diet & treat choices matter: Sticky sugary treats or high carbohydrate foods increase plaque risk. Consider kibble or special dental diets.4
- Breed and size considerations: Smaller dog breeds, flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs are at higher risk of dental disease than larger dogs.2
2. Professional care
- Annual (or at-least yearly) dental exam under anaesthesia with full dental cleaning, scaling, polishing, and dental radiographs.
- Early in life: For puppies and kittens, check for retained baby teeth, alignment issues, extra/missing teeth.
- Work with your vet to assess if your pet is showing early signs of disease even if outward signs look mild (because much disease lies below the gumline).
3. Create a “dental-smart” environment
- Provide safe chew-appropriate toys; avoid very soft items that trap food or very hard bones/toys that cause fractures.
- Encourage pets to chew appropriate items (rawhide alternatives, rubber dental-toys) under supervision.
- Keep records: note dental treatments, costs, when last cleaned; build this into your pet’s annual health review.
Strategies by lifestage
- Puppy/Kitten (0-2 years): Initiate tooth-brushing habit; vet exam for baby-teeth retention; choose appropriate dental-safe toys.
- Adult (2-7 years): Maintain brushing routine; regular professional dental cleaning as advised; monitor for early tartar, bad breath.
- Mature/Senior (7+ years): More frequent screening as risk increases with age; higher chance for systemic disease associations with dental issues; more attention to pain signs, eating changes.
Dental health in pets is far more than cosmetic—it influences comfort, behavior, system-wide wellness, and quality of life. With updated data showing the prevalence remains high (and some breeds/sizes at greater risk), the message is clear: don’t wait until you smell the bad breath or see obvious tartar. With proactive home care, routine veterinary support, and attentive observation you can significantly reduce your pet’s risk of painful, costly dental disease.
If you notice persistent bad breath, changes in chewing or eating, loose teeth or swelling, please schedule a dental check-up promptly.
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