How Dental Health Affects Your Pet’s Body: The Liver
- Practice manager
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
When we think about dental health in dogs and cats, we usually think about smelly breath or sore gums—but did you know that poor dental hygiene can also affect your pet’s liver?
Dental disease isn’t just a problem in the mouth. It can have serious effects on organs throughout the body, and one of the most important is the liver. Here's how bacteria from the mouth can travel to the liver—and why looking after your pet’s teeth is a powerful way to protect their overall health.
What’s the Connection Between Teeth and the Liver?
Dental disease starts when plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) builds up on the teeth and hardens into tartar. This irritates the gums and leads to gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease, which causes infection and inflammation below the gumline.
When gums are inflamed or damaged, bacteria can enter the bloodstream—a process called bacteremia. From there, they can travel to different organs in the body, including the liver.
What Does the Liver Do?
The liver plays a vital role in your pet’s body. It:
Filters toxins from the blood
Helps with digestion and metabolism
Supports the immune system
Stores important nutrients
Because the liver constantly filters the blood, it’s one of the first places affected by harmful bacteria that travel from the mouth.
How Can Dental Disease Affect the Liver?
When oral bacteria reach the liver through the bloodstream, they can cause inflammation, strain the liver’s filtering system, and may contribute to liver disease—especially if your pet already has underlying health conditions.
In some cases, the liver may show signs of distress in blood tests even before your pet shows obvious symptoms. Over time, chronic exposure to bacteria can lead to:
Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
Reduced liver function
Damage to liver tissue
This is particularly important for older pets, whose liver function may already be declining with age.
Signs Your Pet May Have Dental or Liver Issues
Many pets hide signs of discomfort, but here are a few symptoms that may indicate a problem:
Dental signs:
Bad breath
Red or bleeding gums
Drooling
Difficulty eating or chewing
Loose or missing teeth
Liver-related signs:
Lethargy or reduced energy
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Yellowing of the eyes or gums (jaundice)
Increased thirst and urination
Poor appetite
If your pet shows signs from either list, it’s important to speak with our vets.
Protecting Your Pet’s Liver with Good Dental Care
The good news is that dental disease—and the liver issues it may contribute to—is often preventable. Here’s how you can help:
Brush your pet’s teeth regularly with a pet-safe toothpaste
Schedule routine dental checks with our vets
Use dental chews or diets approved by our vets
Arrange professional dental cleans when recommended
Ask for blood work during your pet’s annual health checks to monitor organ function
Final Thoughts
The mouth is the gateway to the body, and dental disease doesn't stay put—it can impact vital organs like the liver. By keeping your dog or cat’s teeth clean, you’re doing more than preventing bad breath—you're protecting their long-term health.
Talk to our vets about your pet’s dental routine. A healthy smile can mean a healthier liver, and a healthier life.
