What is a common infection associated with untreated dental disease in pets?

Dental abscesses are a common infection associated with untreated dental disease in pets. When periodontal disease progresses, bacteria from plaque and tartar can invade the dental pulp, leading to infection. This often results in the formation of an abscess, which is a localized accumulation of pus that can cause pain and discomfort for the animal.

The process begins with inflammation and infection surrounding the tooth root due to untreated periodontal disease, where the supporting structures of the tooth, such as gums and bone, are compromised. If left untreated, this can lead to tissue necrosis and the development of an abscess, which may require surgical intervention to resolve.

The other options, while related to dental health, do not specifically represent common infections in the same way. For example, periodontitis is a stage of dental disease but is not an infection per se; rather, it involves inflammation and damage to the supporting structures of the teeth without necessarily indicating an abscess. Oral tumors, on the other hand, are typically not a direct result of dental disease but rather represent a separate pathology that can occur in the oral cavity. Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontal disease characterized by inflammation of the gums and may lead to more severe forms of dental disease, including abscesses