When most people think about dental disease in pets, they think of bad breath or a bit of tartar. But in reality, some of the most serious dental problems we see are fractured teeth and painful tooth root abscesses—conditions that can significantly affect your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Understanding dental disease in pets, especially these more advanced problems, helps owners recognise when something is wrong and why early care is so important.
What Are Carnassial Tooth Root Abscesses?
One of the most common advanced forms of dental disease in pets is a carnassial tooth root abscess.
The carnassial tooth is the large upper fourth premolar—the main chewing tooth in dogs. Because of its size and function, it is particularly prone to fracture.
When this tooth cracks or fractures, bacteria can enter the root and form an abscess.
Signs to watch for include:
- Swelling under the eye
- A discharge or “hole” on the cheek
- Bad breath
- Pain when chewing
- Reluctance to eat hard food
These abscesses are often mistaken for skin wounds, but they originate from deep dental infection.
Fractured Teeth – More Common Than You Think
Fractured teeth are a major contributor to dental disease in pets and are often caused by chewing on hard objects.
Common causes include:
- Bones
- Hooves
- Hard nylon chew toys
- Stones
Even small cracks can expose the sensitive pulp of the tooth, leading to infection, pain and eventual abscess formation.
Pets will often continue eating despite significant pain, which is why these problems are frequently missed at home.
Other Symptoms of Dental Disease
Dental disease can sometimes cause other symptoms that one won’t initially link wiht the teeth. The following symptoms may be related to diseased teeth and gums:
- Chronic nasal discharge
- Bleeding from the nose
- Chronic coughing
- Heart murmurs
- Kidney and liver disease
Many owners are surprised that loss of appetite is NOT a symptom of dental disease. Even dogs and cats with the most diseased and painful mouths will continue to eat. Don’t delay treatment if your pet is eating. They could still be having significant pain.
How Do We Decide Whether to Extract a Tooth?
When assessing dental disease in pets, we carefully evaluate each tooth.
A tooth may need to be extracted if:
- It is fractured and the pulp is exposed
- There is a root abscess
- The tooth is loose due to periodontal disease
- There is significant bone loss around the tooth
- The tooth is causing ongoing pain or infection
In some cases, advanced dental procedures like root canal treatment may be an option, but extraction is often the most practical and effective solution.
Why Dental Procedures Can Be Costly
Owners are often surprised by the cost of treating advanced dental disease in pets. This is because these are not simple procedures.
Dental treatment involves:
- General anaesthesia with full monitoring
- Surgical extraction techniques
- Suturing of the gums
- Pain management and aftercare
These procedures are time-consuming and require specialised equipment and expertise.
You can read more about how we ensure safety during procedures in our blog on anaesthesia in pets:
https://www.cottagevet.co.za/blog/anaesthesia-in-pets
Prevention – The Key to Avoiding Major Dental Problems
The good news is that most advanced dental disease in pets is preventable.
Simple preventative steps include:
- Annual dental checks
- Professional dental cleaning before disease progresses
- Avoiding hard chew items like bones and hooves
- Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly
- Using vet-recommended dental diets and chews
Routine dental care allows us to catch problems early—before fractures, abscesses and expensive procedures become necessary.
You may also find our blog on annual check-ups helpful in understanding how early detection works:
https://www.cottagevet.co.za/blog/annual-check-ups-in-pets
In Summary
Dental disease in pets is often far more serious than it appears. Fractured teeth and carnassial tooth abscesses are painful conditions that frequently go unnoticed until they are advanced.
While treatment can be complex, early detection and preventative care can dramatically reduce the need for major dental procedures.
If your pet has bad breath, difficulty chewing, or swelling near the face, don’t wait.
👉 Book a dental assessment at Cottage Vet Clinic today:
https://www.cottagevet.co.za/contact-us
