This definately should be a wake up call. I only feed Jack (dog) and Turk (cat) dry food, as it is best for their teeth. They have always had annual exams.
I actually brush Jack's teeth every morning, gross, yes. When he was a pup, i read that it was in his best interest to do so...and now it is a part of our routine, I say ''brush, brush'' and he comes to the bathroom - reluctantly, but he does it.
Last Christmas, SIL's mother (not MIL) lost her dog at the age of 8 to dental disease. I am not a vet, but apparantly before they put a dog under anaestetic for dental work, they inject antibiotics to ensure that the bacteria on the teeth does not get in the blood stream. Well, that is precisely what happened -- SIL's mother blames the vet for not administering the antibiotics early enough, when they did the dental cleaning, the bacteria got into the blood stream and the dog died.