How Dental Health Affects Your Pet’s Body - The Kidneys

When we think about dental care for our pets, we often focus on avoiding bad breath, keeping teeth white, or preventing painful gum disease. But there’s a bigger picture—poor dental health can have serious effects on organs far from the mouth, including the kidneys.

Dental disease doesn’t stay in the mouth. Once bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can travel throughout the body and cause harm to vital organs. Here’s how that process can impact your pet’s kidneys, and why a healthy mouth is key to a healthy life.

What’s the Connection Between Teeth and the Kidneys?

Dental disease begins when plaque—a sticky mix of food particles and bacteria—builds up on the teeth. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums and allows bacteria to slip under the gumline. This causes periodontal disease, a painful infection of the tissues supporting the teeth.

When gums are inflamed and infected, bacteria can enter the bloodstream—a process called bacteremia. Because the kidneys filter the blood, they are constantly exposed to anything circulating in it, including harmful oral bacteria.

What Do the Kidneys Do?

The kidneys are vital to your pet’s health. They:

• Filter waste products from the blood

• Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance

• Regulate blood pressure

• Produce hormones for red blood cell production

Healthy kidneys are essential for keeping your pet’s body in balance.

How Can Dental Disease Affect the Kidneys?

When bacteria from the mouth reach the kidneys, they can cause inflammation and contribute to kidney damage. In some cases, repeated or long-term exposure to bacteria may lead to or worsen chronic kidney disease (CKD)—a common and serious condition in older cats and dogs.

Chronic inflammation doesn’t just cause direct tissue damage; it can also make the kidneys work harder than they should, reducing their ability to filter the blood effectively over time.

(Image credit: Wagging Right)

Signs Your Pet May Have Dental or Kidney Problems

Because pets often hide signs of illness, both dental and kidney disease can go unnoticed until they are advanced. Watch for:

Dental signs:

• Bad breath

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums

• Dropping food or chewing on one side

• Loose or missing teeth

Kidney-related signs:

• Increased thirst and urination

• Weight loss

• Reduced appetite

• Lethargy or weakness

• Vomiting

If you notice any of these symptoms, a vet check is essential.

Protecting Your Pet’s Kidneys with Good Dental Care

You can significantly reduce your pet’s risk of kidney-related complications from dental disease with proactive care:

• Brush your pet’s teeth daily using a pet-safe toothpaste

• Schedule regular dental check-ups with our vets

• Consider dental diets or chews that help control plaque and tartar

• Follow our vets’ advice on professional dental cleans under anaesthesia when needed

• Include kidney health checks (blood and urine tests) during annual wellness visits

Final Thoughts

Your pet’s kidneys work around the clock to keep them healthy—but dental disease can make their job harder. By keeping your pet’s mouth healthy, you’re not just preventing tooth loss and bad breath—you’re helping to protect their kidneys for years to come.

A healthy smile means a healthier body. Speak with our team today about creating a dental care plan that supports your pet’s whole-body health.