The ‘Tooth’ Of The Matter: Why Pet Dental Care Is So Important

February 5, 2026

Dental issues are extremely common in pets, and they often cause significant pain. However, most pets show few to no outward signs, and their discomfort can go unnoticed even as it affects their quality of life. 

Fortunately, most dental problems can be avoided. Regular, at-home preventative care paired with routine veterinary checkups is key to preventing disease and protecting pets’ long-term health. 

Dr. Leah Taylor, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, shares insights on common dental problems and dental care both at a veterinary clinic and at home. 

Common Dental Problems

One of the most common dental concerns in dogs and cats is periodontal (gum) disease, which happens when bacteria build up on the teeth and under the gums.

“It results in tooth loss, bad breath, and dental calculus — the hard, brown buildup you see on teeth when plaque isn’t removed,” Taylor said. “In most animals, this disease comes from a lack of oral hygiene practices, such as regular tooth brushing.”

Genetics is also a key factor in the development of gum disease, with small dogs being the most at risk. Because home dental care may not be sufficient to prevent tooth loss and gum disease in these dogs, annual dental cleanings by a veterinarian are strongly recommended.

Cats also commonly develop tooth resorption lesions, a painful condition that looks and feels a lot like a cavity. However, unlike human cavities, these lesions aren’t because of poor hygiene.

“What happens is the cat’s body degrades the enamel and dentin — the hard layers of the tooth — which can lead to infection within the tooth,” Taylor said. “There is no known underlying cause at this time.”

Large-breed dogs often fracture their teeth, which can expose the center of the tooth — the pulp, where nerves and blood vessels live.

“The pulp becoming exposed is painful and can lead to infection inside the tooth and at the root,” Taylor said. “This can happen from chewing on treats, toys, or other items that are too hard or inflexible. To test the safety of chews and toys, you should be able to flex them with your hands or leave a thumbnail imprint when pressure is applied.” 

Because pets hide tooth discomfort so well — many continue to eat despite pain — spotting dental trouble early can be difficult. Some signs to look out for include: 

• Chewing on only one side of the mouth
• Pulling away when you try to look at their teeth 
• Bad breath 
• Brown buildup on teeth
• Red or swollen gums 

Addressing Concerns With Veterinary Care 

According to Taylor, pets should have regular oral exams and yearly dental cleanings, starting at age 1 for small pets and age 2 for large dogs. This must be done under anesthesia so veterinarians can thoroughly clean under the gumline as well as perform a full dental evaluation and any necessary procedures at the same time. 

“Full-mouth X-rays are needed to truly diagnose dental disease,” Taylor said. “A visual exam isn’t enough to identify them.” 

Without daily care, dental disease can build quietly for years — much like if people only had their teeth cleaned once a year with no brushing in between. Advanced problems can easily develop if pets receive little to no dental care at home. 

Untreated dental disease can lead to serious complications, including: 

• Infection
• Jaw fractures from bone loss
• Openings between the mouth and nose
• Bacteria entering the bloodstream 

“I see many older patients that have not had regular dental care, so we end up having to extract 20 or 30 teeth at one time,” Taylor said. “Slower, ongoing care could have prevented this. Although these cases are severe, dogs generally do well with tooth extraction and continue to be able to eat and play normally afterward.”

At-Home Care 

The most effective at-home dental care is regular toothbrushing. 

“Toothbrushing is the gold standard, but to be effective it should be done daily or every other day,” Taylor said. “Even three to four swipes on each tooth can have a huge impact on dental health.

A children’s soft-bristeled toothbrush can be used, and there are pet-safe toothpastes that come in many flavors and can be swallowed safely. 

Other helpful options include: 

• Dental chews 
• Dental-focused diets 
• Water additives that fight bacteria
• Oral gels that break down plaque
• Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved options 

“Your veterinarian can help guide you in this at-home care when the pet is seen for annual dental cleanings and treatment,” Taylor said. “I typically recommend starting with toothbrushing, a water additive, and a daily dental chew.” 

With proactive care at home and regular veterinary visits, pets can avoid dental disease and enjoy comfortable, happy, and healthy lives free from tooth-related concerns.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.

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