Here’s why early signs are easy to miss — and what to do about it.
If you’ve ever caught a whiff of your dog or cat’s breath and thought, yikes… you’re not alone.
Bad breath is one of the most common signs of dental disease in pets — but it’s far from the only one. And unfortunately, it’s often brushed off (pun intended) as “just part of getting older.”
The truth?
Dental disease is painful, progressive, and entirely preventable — if we catch it early.
Dental disease hides in plain sight
Dental disease, also called periodontal disease, is a sneaky one.
It starts small — a little plaque, a touch of bad breath. But over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which creeps below the gumline. That’s where the real damage happens: gum inflammation, bone loss, loose or fractured teeth, and even tooth root abscesses.
The tricky part?
Your pet will likely keep eating and acting normal, even when their mouth is sore.
At Rouse Hill Family Vets, we’ve seen so many dogs and cats with severe dental disease who never once showed signs at home. They still played, snuggled, and wolfed down dinner.
But once those painful teeth were removed or cleaned? They were brighter, happier — and many owners said, “I didn’t realise how much pain they must have been in until it was gone.”
What dental disease actually looks like
It’s not always obvious, but here are some signs we look for during a dental check:
- Bad breath (the kind that makes you lean back)
- Red or swollen gums
- Yellow or brown buildup on teeth
- Bleeding when chewing or playing with toys
- Dropping food or chewing on one side
- Pawing at the mouth
- Reluctance to chew bones or hard treats
The most important thing? Many of these signs don’t show up until the disease is well advanced. That’s why regular checks — and dental X-rays — matter.
Want to see what a real dental clean looks like behind the scenes?
👉 Watch Ollie’s annual dental clean here
Special offer: Free dental checks until 30th September
To help more pets avoid preventable pain, we’re offering free dental checks for all dogs and cats until 30th September, 2025.
We’ll examine your pet’s mouth, explain what we see, and talk through any recommended treatment or home care.
👉 Book your free dental check now
📞 Or call us on 02 9086 9130
What we offer at Rouse Hill Family Vets
We provide full-mouth dental care with:
- Fear Free admission and handling
- Pre-anaesthetic blood work and exam
- Dental X-rays to catch hidden issues
- Scale, polish, and any necessary extractions
- Home care guidance based on your pet’s personality and your lifestyle
Plus, all procedures are done with pain relief, local anaesthetic blocks, and individual monitoring to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.
Why choose us?
At Rouse Hill Family Vets, we don’t believe in rushing through dental work. We take our time, talk you through every step, and treat your pet like they’re part of the family — because they are.
🧡 All our staff are Fear Free Certified
🐾 We’re a Gold Standard Cat-Friendly Clinic
✨ And we’re big believers in proactive, personalised care
With fresh breath and wagging tails,
Dr Belinda
Rouse Hill Family Vets
