Did you know that more than 80% of pets already have some form of dental disease by age 3?
This is not a rare or unlucky situation. In fact, most pets will experience tooth loss or need a tooth extraction at some point in their lives. And although tooth decay can be extremely painful, pets are really good at hiding pain. By the time you notice something is off, the problem has usually been brewing for a while.
So before things go too far, here’s how to tell if your pet needs a dentist.
Five Signs Your Pet Needs Dental Care
1: Bad Breath That Does Not Go Away
Yes, pets tend to have bad breath. But there is a difference between normal pet breath and the kind that makes you pull back when your dog tries to kiss you. Persistent bad breath usually means bacteria are building up below the gumline, and that smell is the bacteria doing their work. It might just be tartar buildup, but it could also be a sign of tooth decay.
2: Yellow or Brown Teeth
Even when they’re healthy, a pet’s teeth will never be sparkling white. However, they shouldn’t look brown or yellow either. That yellowish buildup is tartar that has hardened onto the tooth. As tartar accumulates under the gumline, it causes infections that damage the bone and gum tissue supporting the teeth. Eventually, it causes tooth loss. That’s why it’s important to schedule dental cleanings for your pet at least once a year.
3: Dropping Food or Eating Differently
If your dog or cat suddenly seems reluctant to eat, drops their food everywhere, chews only on one side of their mouth, or avoids hard kibble entirely, their mouth is probably hurting. A lot of times this behavior gets written off as pickiness or aging, but it is actually one of the clearest signs that your pet needs dental care.
4: Red, Swollen, or Bleeding Gums
Healthy gums should be pink and firm. If your pet’s gums look red and puffy, that is gingivitis at minimum, and it can progress quickly to periodontal disease if it is not addressed. And if you notice any bleeding when your pet eats their food or chews on a toy, that’s another red flag.
5: Loose, Cracked, or Missing Teeth
Tooth fractures are very painful and can easily get infected. If your pet breaks a tooth by chewing or gnawing on something too hard, the pain will definitely affect their ability to eat and function normally. Dental extractions are the only option when a tooth cannot be saved, but the relief most pets show afterward makes it clear they had been hurting for longer than anyone realized.
Why Pets Need Dental Cleanings Even When Nothing Looks Wrong
Pets need dental cleanings even more than we do, because they can’t brush their own teeth. Even if you’re brushing your pet’s teeth at home, they still need dental cleanings to remove tartar buildup. And during their cleaning, we’ll take x-rays to make sure there aren’t any hidden problems.
It can be very difficult to see the signs of tooth decay with a visual examination alone, even for veterinary dentists. In fact, x-rays showed infected teeth in 28% of dogs and 42% of cats whose teeth looked completely normal to the naked eye. This is why diagnostic imaging is such an important part of our dental examinations. With x-rays, we can detect problems a lot sooner and prevent the pain that tooth loss causes.
Schedule an Exam at Texas Veterinary Dental Center
Symptoms like extremely bad breath, dark teeth, and bleeding gums always should be taken seriously. They mean that your pet is probably in pain, and the pain will only get worse as time goes on.
If you’ve noticed any signs of tooth decay, or if it has been more than a year since your pet’s last dental exam, it’s time to make an appointment. Our board-certified veterinary dentists are here to keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy. Call us at 281-325-0074 to schedule a visit at our clinic in Stafford.
Photo by Chau Le on Unsplash with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 4/26/26.