It is a startling reality that up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats suffer from dental disease by the age of three. Yet dental problems often go unnoticed until they are severe and painful. At Bruma Lake Vet, we regularly see pets affected by advanced oral disease — conditions that don’t just impact the mouth, but can threaten overall health and quality of life.

Meet Nikey, who recently came into our clinic for a dental procedure. Nikey was at the advanced end of Stage 3 dental disease, where professional dental scaling and multiple extractions were required to relieve pain and prevent further complications.

The Danger Zone: Why Dental Care Is Not Optional

When a pet’s teeth rot, the mouth becomes a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria. These bacteria can breach the gum barrier and enter the bloodstream — a condition known as bacteraemia.

This can lead to serious, and sometimes life‑threatening, complications:

• Heart damage: Bacteria may settle on the heart valves, leading to endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) and potentially heart failure.
• Kidney and liver failure: As these organs filter infected blood, chronic inflammation and micro‑abscesses can develop, resulting in permanent organ damage.
• Brain and jaw complications: Advanced infections may cause tooth‑root abscesses that erode the jawbone, leading to fractures or even blindness if infection spreads to the eye sockets.

Common Oral Enemies

• Plaque and tartar: A sticky biofilm of bacteria that hardens into calculus (tartar) within as little as 24 hours if not brushed away.
• Gingivitis: Painful, red inflammation of the gums. This is the only stage of dental disease that is fully reversible with treatment.
• Periodontitis: A chronic infection that destroys the bone and ligaments supporting the teeth, leading to irreversible tooth loss.
• Pyorrhoea: Advanced disease characterised by the presence of pus and loose, “floating” teeth.

Four Proactive Steps to Protect Your Pet

• Daily brushing: Use a soft‑bristled toothbrush and pet‑specific toothpaste. Human toothpaste may contain toxic ingredients such as xylitol or fluoride. Focus on the outer surfaces of the upper teeth, where plaque accumulates most rapidly.
• “Lift the lip” weekly: Check for red‑flag signs such as bleeding gums, excessive drooling, bad breath, or reluctance to chew hard food.
• Professional dental scaling: Schedule a professional dental clean with your vet at least once a year. This procedure requires anaesthesia to allow safe and thorough cleaning below the gumline, where the most dangerous bacteria reside.
• Veterinary‑approved dental treats: Use products recommended by your vet and include dental care as part of your pet’s routine health plan to help reduce plaque buildup.

Visual Guide to Dental Disease Stages

• Stage 1: Red, swollen gum line (gingivitis). No bone loss is present; urgent intervention can save the teeth.
• Stage 2–3: Receding gums and visible yellow‑brown tartar. Permanent damage to supporting structures has begun. Some extractions may be required in Stage 3.
• Stage 4: Severe decay, exposed tooth roots, and pus. Extraction is often the only way to resolve the intense but often “silent” pain.

If you are concerned about your pet’s teeth or breath, or if it has been more than a year since their last dental check, please contact Bruma Lake Vet. Early intervention can prevent pain, protect vital organs, and significantly improve your pet’s quality of life.