DOGS AND CATS · OWNER EDUCATION
Dental and Periodontal Disease
Disease affecting the teeth, gums or surrounding bone can cause pain even when an animal continues eating normally.
THE SHORT VERSION
Understanding supports better veterinary conversations.
Dental disease includes periodontal inflammation, fractured teeth, infection, tooth resorption and other oral conditions. Important changes can be hidden beneath the gumline.
What is this condition?
Dental disease includes periodontal inflammation, fractured teeth, infection, tooth resorption and other oral conditions. Important changes can be hidden beneath the gumline.
Which animals can be affected?
Risk factors, examination findings and management can differ between species and individual patients.
Why can it happen?
- Plaque-associated periodontal disease and chronic inflammation.
- Fractured teeth, retained teeth, tooth resorption or oral masses.
- Age, anatomy, home care and other health conditions can influence risk.
What might an owner notice?
- Bad breath, drooling, chewing changes or food dropping.
- Pawing at the mouth, facial swelling or decreased grooming.
- Some animals continue eating despite substantial oral pain.
How is the problem investigated?
- Awake oral examination followed by a complete anesthetized assessment when indicated.
- Dental radiographs to evaluate roots, surrounding bone and hidden disease.
- Biopsy or additional imaging when an oral mass or unusual lesion is present.
What might treatment involve?
- Professional cleaning and treatment of identified disease under appropriate anesthesia.
- Extraction or other treatment when individual teeth cannot be managed conservatively.
- Pain control and a veterinarian-directed home-care plan.
This is an overview, not a prescription or a recommendation for a specific individual animal.
What can owners do at home?
- Follow postoperative food, medication and activity instructions.
- Use only approved dental-care products and techniques.
- Report drooling, swelling, bleeding or refusal to eat.
Avoid actions that could make care less safe.
- Do not attempt to scrape teeth, pull a loose tooth or treat an oral infection with leftover antibiotics.
- Do not give human medications, leftover prescriptions or supplements without veterinary approval.
- Do not stop, increase, decrease or double prescribed medication without contacting your veterinary team.
- Do not delay assessment if symptoms are worsening, the animal stops eating or an emergency sign appears.
What can the longer-term outlook involve?
Comfort often improves after diseased teeth or infected tissue are appropriately treated; future care depends on the underlying condition and ongoing prevention.
Can risk be reduced?
- Discuss regular oral assessments, home brushing and professional care when indicated.
When should you arrange care?
- Call for bad breath, drooling, chewing changes or visible gum inflammation.
Seek emergency veterinary care if you notice:
SEEK EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE- Facial swelling with breathing difficulty, major oral bleeding, jaw trauma or inability to close the mouth.
Sources behind this guide
American Animal Hospital Association veterinary guidelinesPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: feline health topicsPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗Content last reviewed: August 23, 2026. Review status: veterinary-informed; independent veterinarian review not yet completed.