Dental disease is the most common condition we diagnose in dogs and cats, yet it is rarely the reason pets are brought to the clinic. In this video, Dr Ebeneze explains how dental problems often go unnoticed, why they cause real pain even when pets seem normal, and how untreated dental disease can lead to serious complications elsewhere in the body.
00:00 Why dental disease is often missed
00:21 How dental pain hides in pets
00:34 How infection spreads from the mouth
00:49 Home care options for tartar buildup
01:04 When professional dental treatment is required
01:16 Why full anaesthetic is necessary
01:28 Scale, polish and full-mouth X-rays
01:53 When extractions may be needed
02:02 How pets feel after dental treatment
Dental disease is the most common condition we diagnose in pets, but it is rarely the main reason owners bring their animals to the vet. Often pets arrive for an unrelated problem, and only during the consultation do we discover bad breath, heavy tartar buildup or inflamed gums. Because pets continue eating and behaving normally, these problems can go unnoticed for a long time.
The reality is that dental disease is uncomfortable and painful. Tartar sitting on the gum line acts as a constant source of infection, and over time bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and affect vital organs such as the heart and kidneys.
At home, you can help slow tartar buildup with regular tooth brushing using pet-safe toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, dental biscuits, or gels that are applied directly to the teeth and gums. These steps can delay progression, but once significant tartar is present, the only effective treatment is a professional scale and polish.
During a dental procedure, your pet is placed under full general anaesthetic so the airway is protected while water is used in the mouth. We thoroughly descale and polish the teeth and perform full-mouth X-rays. More than half of each tooth sits below the gum line, and problems beneath the surface often cannot be seen without imaging. If we find disease in the tooth roots, extractions can be performed during the same procedure. Many pets go home happier, healthier, and with much fresher breath.
Talk to us about your pet’s dental health
If you have noticed bad breath, tartar buildup, red gums, chewing changes, or signs that your pet may be uncomfortable, our team can help you work out the next step.
Use these pages after the video if you want to understand what dental disease means, when treatment is needed, or why dental procedures are planned under anaesthesia.
Return to the main dental page for signs, dental procedures, x-rays and long-term oral health support.
Understand the gum, bone and tooth-support changes behind bad breath, red gums and tartar.
Learn why charting, probing and x-rays can change the final dental treatment plan.
Read why anaesthesia, monitoring and pain relief are part of safe, humane dental care.
