One of the most common things owners tell us when we recommend dental treatment is:
“But he’s eating normally. Surely his teeth aren’t hurting?”
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
At Sandringham Veterinary Hospital, we regularly see dogs and cats with significant dental disease that are still eating perfectly normally.
Do Dogs and Cats Hide Dental Pain?
Yes. Very well.
Animals are remarkably good at adapting to dental pain.
A dog with a badly infected tooth may simply chew on the opposite side of its mouth. A cat with painful teeth may swallow its food with very little chewing.
Some animals continue eating normally even when they have several severely diseased teeth.
Eating normally does not mean the mouth is pain-free.
What Are the Signs of Dental Pain?
Some signs are quite obvious, while others are easily missed.
- Bad breath
- Red, inflamed or bleeding gums
- Dropping food while eating
- Chewing on one side of the mouth
- Avoiding hard food or toys
- Pawing at the mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Becoming quieter or less interested in playing
However, many dogs and cats show none of these signs, even with advanced dental disease.
How Do We Know If a Tooth Is Painful?
During an examination, we look for fractured teeth, inflamed gums, loose teeth and other signs of dental disease.
But the biggest limitation is that we cannot see what is happening underneath the gums during a normal consultation.
Dental X-rays allow us to examine the roots and surrounding bone, where significant disease may be hidden.
This is particularly important in cats, which can develop extremely painful resorptive lesions that are difficult to identify without dental X-rays.
Will My Pet Feel Better After Dental Treatment?
Very often, yes.
Owners frequently tell us that after dental treatment their dog or cat seems happier, more playful or more interested in food.
Sometimes they hadn’t noticed anything wrong beforehand.
It is only after the painful teeth have been treated that they realise how much their pet may have been putting up with.
Our Advice at Sandringham Veterinary Hospital
Don’t wait for your dog or cat to stop eating before having their teeth examined.
By that stage, dental disease may already be quite advanced.
Our goal is not simply to give your pet clean-looking teeth.
We want to make sure they have a healthy, pain-free mouth.
If you’re concerned about your pet’s teeth, contact Sandringham Veterinary Hospital on 9598 7848 for a dental assessment.