Dog & Cat Tooth Anatomy

Dental disease affects 68% of cats and 78% of dogs over the age of 3.  Periodontal trouble in pets cause the same range of problems that it does in humans: from mild tartar and gingivitis to receding gums; significant inflammation; and finally tooth loss, with smaller dogs being more prone to such issues than larger breeds.

Everybody has bacteria in their mouths. And bacteria love to hang out on our teeth and grow. When they grow, they make plaque. That’s why we brush our teeth twice a day, to remove the bacterial plaque that has built up in just a few hours. Since our pets don’t have thumbs (among other reasons), they can’t brush their teeth. So, plaque builds up over time. Plaque can be where you can see it (below the gumline) and where you can’t see it (above the gumline).