Why is Pet Dental Care Important?
Dental Care Is About More Than Clean Teeth
Just like ours, pets’ teeth require regular care to stay healthy. And just like people, dental problems typically develop gradually, often without obvious symptoms, rather than showing up overnight.
Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions in dogs and cats. By the age of three, the majority of pets already show signs of oral disease, even if they’re eating normally and acting like themselves.
Proactive dental care promotes comfort, prevents more severe issues, and protects your pet’s long-term health.
What Dental Disease Looks Like
Plaque forms on teeth shortly after eating. If it isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus), and once that happens, it can no longer be removed at home by brushing.
As tartar builds up, bacteria begin to collect beneath the gumline. Gums become inflamed (gingivitis), infection develops around the roots of the teeth, and the bone supporting those teeth can begin to break down over time. Ouch!
The head, face, and mouth contain a high density of nerve endings, which means gingivitis and infected teeth are very painful. Oral pain can be more intense than pain in other parts of the body, yet many pets continue eating and acting relatively normal despite significant discomfort. This is one of the reasons dental disease is often missed until it becomes more advanced. Dogs and cats are tough when it comes to pain.
A pet’s teeth are used daily for eating, playing, carrying toys, and interacting with their world. When dental disease is present, those activities can become uncomfortable or inconvenient, even if the signs aren’t obvious to us.
This connection between oral health and overall health is well-documented, and it’s one of the main reasons veterinarians emphasize early, proactive dental care.
The “Iceberg” Problem: Why Clean Teeth Aren’t the Full Picture
One of the most important things to understand about dental disease is that what you see on the surface is only a small part of the story.
Teeth are like icebergs: Most of the important structures, including the roots and bone and nerves, are below the gumline. That means a tooth can look clean on the outside and still be affected underneath. To fully protect your pet’s dental health, you need:
Dental X-rays
A thorough oral exam
To clean beneath the gumline
The Limitations of Dental Cleanings Without Anesthesia
It’s completely understandable that pet parents feel hesitant about anesthesia. The idea of putting a beloved pet “under” can feel scary, especially for seniors or pets with medical conditions. However, anesthesia is what allows veterinary dental care to be thorough, safe, and humane. Nowadays, we have safer medications and better monitoring so the risk of anesthesia is much lower than it used to be.
Dental cleanings performed without anesthesia don’t address the most important aspects of oral health. Without anesthesia, it isn’t possible to:
Assess pain or infection below the gumline
Take dental X-rays to evaluate tooth roots and bone
Fully examine each tooth and the surrounding tissues
Clean beneath the gumline, where disease begins
Ensure the pet remains comfortable and stress-free
Dental cleanings can be uncomfortable or frightening for pets and may require restraint, which can increase stress rather than reduce it. They also don’t allow veterinarians to identify early infections, fractured teeth, or oral tumors, all of which often hide beneath the surface.
When anesthesia is used appropriately, it allows veterinarians to carefully evaluate the entire mouth, manage pain effectively, and perform necessary treatment without causing fear or discomfort. For more information, check out this new study from the AVMA!
Dental Care Is Especially Important for Cats
Cats deserve special attention when it comes to dental health. Unlike dogs, a cat’s immune system can overreact to tartar buildup earlier, leading to a painful condition called stomatitis — severe inflammation of the mouth that can make eating, grooming, and even opening the jaws uncomfortable.
Because cats are exceptionally good at hiding pain, dental disease is often more advanced by the time signs appear. That’s why early, consistent prevention is so important.
What Helps Protect Your Pet’s Teeth
While there are many dental products available, the most effective approach is simple and consistent:
At Home
Daily dental wipes to mechanically remove soft plaque (similar to brushing our own teeth)
Toys that can help brush the tartar off of teeth; nothing so hard you can’t easily indent it with your thumbnail–the other “rule of thumb”
With a Veterinarian
Annual comprehensive oral exams
Professional dental scaling for when tartar becomes permanent
Dental X-rays to assess roots and bone health
Screening for oral tumors, which are more common than many pet parents realize
Supporting Oral Health at Every Stage of Life
Dental care is a core part of your pet’s overall wellness. When addressed early and regularly, it helps:
Reduce chronic inflammation
Prevent painful infections
Support heart, kidney, and overall health
Preserve comfort, function, and quality of life
Healthy gums, strong roots, and stable jaw bones matter more than pretty teeth. Protecting them requires both at-home care and regular veterinary support.
At Dallas Veterinary Concierge, dental care is approached thoughtfully and thoroughly, with a focus on prevention, early detection, and long-term comfort. The goal is simple: helping pets eat, play, and enjoy life without oral pain for as long as possible.
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If you have questions about your pet’s dental health or want to schedule an annual oral exam, we’re here to help you build a care plan that supports their long-term well-being. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Olson today.