Most of us brush our own teeth twice a day without thinking about it. But when was the last time you really looked at your dog or cat’s teeth? If you’re like most pet owners, dental care probably isn’t at the top of your priority list. That needs to change. Royal Touch Pet Dental specializes in helping pets maintain healthy mouths, and the benefits go way beyond fresh breath.
What Happens When Dental Problems Go Untreated
Here’s something that might surprise you: most cats and dogs will develop some form of gum disease by age three. That’s not a small percentage—we’re talking about the vast majority of pets. And it’s not just about having yellow teeth or bad breath.
The real danger starts when bacteria from diseased gums gets into the bloodstream. Where does it go? Straight to major organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Think of it as a slow poison that builds up over months and years.
Want to know something even more sobering? Pets with good dental care typically live three to five years longer than those without it. That’s a lot of extra time to spend with a beloved companion. Just from taking care of their teeth.
Gum Disease: The Real Enemy
Cavities aren’t really the issue with pets—they account for less than 10% of dental problems. The big problem? Periodontal disease. It’s a fancy term for gum disease, and it works like this:
First, plaque builds up along the gumline. No big deal yet. But that plaque hardens into tartar, which you can’t brush away at home. The gums get irritated. They start bleeding. Bacteria moves in and sets up shop. Before long, the infection spreads underneath the gums where you can’t see it.
In the worst cases, teeth fall out. Bone gets damaged. Your pet is in constant pain but can’t tell you. They just stop eating as much or become quieter. You might not even realize something’s wrong until it’s become a serious problem.
What Actually Happens During a Professional Cleaning
Let’s be clear about one thing: professional pet dental work requires anesthesia. There’s no way around it. You can’t ask a dog to sit still with their mouth open for an hour while someone scrapes tartar off their molars.
Before anything happens, your pet gets a full health check. Blood work makes sure they’re healthy enough for anesthesia. Once they’re safely asleep, the real work begins.
The dental team removes all that built-up tartar—above the gumline and, more importantly, below it where you can’t reach. They polish the teeth so new plaque has a harder time sticking. They examine every tooth, every bit of gum tissue, looking for problems.
X-rays show what’s happening under the surface. Is that tooth root infected? Is the bone deteriorating? You can’t see any of this just by looking in your pet’s mouth. Sometimes teeth that look fine on the outside are actually dying from the inside.
If teeth need to come out, they come out right then. Better to deal with it while your pet is already under anesthesia than to put them through the whole process again later.
What You Can Do Between Professional Visits
Professional cleanings are crucial, but they’re not the whole story. What happens the other 364 days of the year matters too.
Brushing your pet’s teeth at home makes a huge difference. Yes, really. Use toothpaste made for pets—human toothpaste can make them sick. There are also dental chews and special foods designed to scrape plaque off as they eat.
But here’s the thing: most people don’t know how serious this is. They think bad breath is just part of having a pet. They don’t realize that infected gums can literally shorten their pet’s life by years. Once you understand the connection, the choice becomes pretty obvious.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
How long has it been since your pet had their teeth professionally cleaned? If the answer is “more than a year” or “I’m not sure,” that’s a problem. Some breeds need cleanings more often than others. Pets with existing dental issues definitely need more frequent attention.
The longer you wait, the worse things get. And here’s the frustrating part—early gum disease is reversible. Advanced periodontitis? Not so much. At that point, you’re managing damage, not preventing it.
Your pet depends on you to make these decisions for them. They can’t schedule their own appointments or tell you their teeth hurt. If you’ve noticed bad breath, difficulty eating, or visible tartar buildup, those are red flags. Even if you haven’t noticed anything, that doesn’t mean everything’s fine.
Get in touch with Royal Touch Pet Dental and schedule an examination. Find out what’s actually going on in your pet’s mouth. Because those extra years together? They’re worth it.
