The Critical Mistake That Cost My Dog's Life

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12-05-2025

What began as a 'routine' care decision for our beloved dogs veered into irrevocable loss.
We raised our two adorable West Highland white terriers in a house of love, spoiling Duncan and Dooley beyond measure. Rather than serving them dog food, my wife prepared special meals every day — chicken and rice or hamburger and noodles. Born from the same litter, they ate with us, slept with us and traveled with us. We raced to their rescue after skunk sprayings, possum gashes and a terrifying coyote attack. But like most pet owners, it never occurred to me to consider their dental care — and I worked as a dentist for nearly 40 years.
When the dogs were 11 years old, Duncan developed a benign cyst on his shoulder, and needed it removed. Our vet recommended that she clean Duncan's teeth while he was under for surgery, and, oh, why not bring Dooley in for a cleaning, too?
Sedation for canine dental care is a relatively common practice done to keep dogs still during the procedure and for the safety of the dental staff. Both dogs were anesthetized, but Dooley never woke up. My wife couldn't forgive herself for putting Dooley under anesthesia just to get his teeth cleaned, and we have never gotten over the loss. Our vet, traumatized as well, vowed to stop elective cleanings under general anesthesia.
Since then, I've made it my mission to inform people about of what's needed to control their pets' oral health and how to avoid problems like infection and abscessing that can require invasive treatment or tooth extractions under anesthesia.
Most people aren't aware that the exact same progression that leads to decay and periodontal disease in humans also happens for dogs; only the bacterial species is different. Inflammation causes the gums to swell and bleed, then comes breath odor, loose teeth and, finally, abscesses that typically require a tooth to be pulled.
But just like with humans, there's a preventative solution for these problems — daily oral care. We know how important that is for us, but for some reason we haven't gotten that message with our pets.
Stop brushing your teeth for one day and you feel the effects. It's gross. Now imagine not cleaning your mouth for weeks or years, and you begin to understand what dogs experience.
The veterinary community recommends daily brushing as the gold standard, but most dog owners simply don't do it. As much as we adore our animals, one survey found that only 7% of dog owners brush their pet's teeth every day.
We dog lovers take great care in feeding, sheltering and vaccinating our pets but we ignore this basic and treatable health concern. Even if your dog's teeth look healthy, it's estimated that 80-90% of dogs over the age of 3 are dealing with some form of periodontal disease. If you think those problems are minor, they're not. Periodontal disease can lead to health issues that affect the kidneys, liver and heart.
If you've ever had a toothache, abscess, infected gums or mouth sore, you know how distressing and downright painful periodontal disease can be. Some say tooth-related pain in humans, when it is severe, is matched in intensity only by acute cardiac pain or the pain of childbirth. Dogs experience pain, too, but there is a difference: they can't tell you what they are feeling. That's why so many dental problems in dogs go unnoticed until they are severe.
Ignoring your dog's dental care inevitably leads to more invasive treatment down the road. Without regular at-home cleaning, your pet is more likely to need intensive procedures like cleaning under the gumline to remove hardened tartar or extractions — and those almost always require sedation, which can put your pet at risk.
Duncan lived to be 16 and had a wonderful life. Today, we have a new furry friend, Bogey, a Maltese-Westie mix we rescued off the street around the start of the pandemic. It's not always convenient, even for me, to clean my dog's teeth, but I do it.
You never want to use human toothpaste because it can contain ingredients that are toxic to them. I apply a dog-friendly product with a finger cot similar to one I used as a dentist, but a soft-bristled dog toothbrush or even a bare finger works, too. I'll rub Bogey's teeth and gums for about 30 seconds. If your dog resists, try just the front teeth first. Once they get used to it, you'll find that it's a real bonding moment for you and your pup. It's recommended that you brush every day or, at the very least, three times a week to help keep your dog's mouth healthy.
It is time to end the disconnect and start educating dog owners about the science of canine oral health. That begins with dispelling certain myths people have about dog's teeth. No, dogs' mouths are not cleaner than humans' mouths. No, chewing on bones won't clean their teeth; in fact, fragments from bones often cause injury to dogs. Perhaps the saddest fallacy is that dental problems are just an inevitable part of a dog's aging process — that your pup will get old, get infections and lose a couple teeth — but it doesn't have to be that way.
Learning from Dooley's passing was tough — it showed us how crucial dental care is for our pets. That lesson came too late for him but it's not for others. Start cleaning your dog's teeth early and keep it consistent.
We owe it to our four-legged family members to prioritize their dental care — not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental responsibility. By doing so, we not only safeguard their well-being but also deepen the loving and powerful connection we share through our commitment to their overall health.