“It smells like something crawled in his mouth and died.”
I hear that a lot during exams. When I check a pet’s mouth, I often find thick layers of hardened plaque coating the teeth, gums that are receding, and black discoloration at the gumline—clear signs of bacteria settling in.
But what I can’t see at first glance is what’s happening beneath the surface.
The Hidden Progression of Dental Disease
As dental disease advances, bacteria eat away at the jawbone surrounding the teeth. Infection settles into the pocket between the tooth and bone, gradually eroding its way deeper. Eventually, the damage reaches the very tip of the root, invading the pulp chamber—the area where the nerve lives. And when that happens, the tooth starts to HURT.
Surprisingly, many pet owners don’t realize their furry friend is in pain.
“But he’s still eating!” they say.
It’s a common misconception. Think about it—when humans have a toothache, they don’t stop eating; they just chew on the other side of their mouth. Dogs do the same thing. In fact, I’ve treated dogs with infections so severe that they had open abscesses on their faces, yet they were still eagerly eating their meals. Cats tend to be a bit more sensitive, sometimes showing signs like dropping food, tilting their head, or eating less.
How Do We Know They’re in Pain?
Because of how dramatically they improve after treatment.
Time and again, I hear pet parents say, “She’s playing with her toys again!” or “He’s acting like a puppy!” What they had assumed was simply aging turned out to be dental disease.
One of my favorite stories is about a Pomeranian patient who had a complete turnaround after a dental procedure. His owners were so amazed that every time they met a grumpy person, they joked, “That one needs a vet dental!” When their little guy passed years later, they called to thank me, saying his final years had been happy and pain-free.
What Happens During a Dental Procedure?
First, your pet is placed under anesthesia. This is essential—not only for a deep cleaning but also for safely detecting and treating hidden dental issues.At Whole Pet, every patient has a dedicated anesthesia assistant whose sole job is to ensure your pet stays stable and comfortable.
Once your pet is asleep, we follow many of the same steps as a human dentist:
✅ Ultrasonic scaling to remove tartar and calculus
✅ Polishing with bubble-gum-flavored polish (yes, the same one you’re used to!)
✅ Dental X-rays to check for hidden issues below the gumline
✅ Probing around each tooth to assess bone loss and gum health
Where veterinary and human dentistry differ is in extractions. If a tooth is severely damaged or infected, we surgically remove it and suture the site closed. Pet tooth roots are anchored differently than human tooth roots, and unlike humans, pets can’t hold gauze in their mouths after an extraction, so suturing ensures proper healing.
Keeping Your Pet’s Smile Healthy
Once your pet’s mouth has healed (typically around two weeks), home care is key to
maintaining a healthy mouth.
Daily tooth brushing is ideal—after all, even humans who brush twice a day still need
professional cleanings every six months! But I’m a realist, and I know that daily brushing isn’t always possible. The good news? Even brushing once a week makes a small but measurable difference.
If brushing isn’t an option, there are other great tools to help:
🦷 Dental wipes for easy plaque removal
🦷 Oral supplements to reduce bacteria and improve periodontal ligament strength
🦷 Special diets to decrease plaque buildup and improve oral chemistry
The more care you can provide at home, the less often your pet will need professional cleanings—and the fresher their breath will be!
The Takeaway
Bad breath isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a sign of disease lurking below the gumline. Dental
problems don’t just cause discomfort—they impact a pet’s overall health and quality of life. But with proper care, both professional and at-home, your pet can stay happy, pain-free, and ready to flash a healthy, fresh-smelling smile.