In dogs and cats, dental disease starts early in life. The statistics are somewhat staggering and will come as a surprise to many. We know that upwards to 80% of dogs and cats have some degree of periodontal disease by 3 years of age! Sometimes this can be visualized during an exam of the mouth and appear as some degree of redness along the gumline. 

It's important to understand that periodontal disease can develop regardless of the amount of tartar build up on the teeth. In other words, the teeth themselves don’t have to “look bad” for a pet to have disease under the gumline. In fact, roughly 30% of dogs and 40% of cats have disease under the gumline – that cannot be seen by the naked eye – and can only be identified by dental radiography (x-rays). Additionally, 50% of those pets (with disease seen only on x-rays) are likely to have more than one problem that requires treatment.^1,2,3  Why does this matter? It’s because dental disease can affect a pet’s overall health and their quality of life. Pets with dental disease don’t always show obvious signs of pain or discomfort and they wind up suffering in silence.

Veterinarians commonly recommend dental x-rays to confirm pathology they suspect or to determine the extent of a problem they know to exist. For example, approximately 1 in 4 pets with a simple-looking crown fracture can develop deeper root infections - something only X-rays can diagnose. It’s just as important that we routinely take x-rays to look for what the eye cannot see because, again, 30-40% of dogs and cats have disease under the gumline that could cause pain and suffering. These hidden issues include periodontal disease, tooth root infections, fractures, unerupted teeth, resorptive lesions, and tumors.

The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) strongly recommends full-mouth dental X-rays - or comparable advanced imaging such as cone-beam CT (typically available at a veterinary dental specialty practice) - every time a dog or cat undergoes a dental procedure.³  The reason is simple: a visual oral exam alone cannot detect many painful or clinically significant problems hiding below the gumline. Dental radiographs allow veterinarians to detect hidden disease, plan safer procedures, and ensure pets receive the most complete and compassionate care possible.

References:

1. Diagnostic value of full-mouth radiography in dogs. Am J Vet Res 1998 Jun;59(6):686-91.  PMID: 9622735  

2. Diagnostic value of full-mouth radiography in cats. Am J Vet Res. 1998 Jun;59(6):692-5. PMID: 9622736

3. AVDC position statements. American Veterinary Dental College. October 2023. Accessed December 4, 2025.