--- title: Why dental care matters more than most owners expect description: Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see, and one of the most preventable. image: https://www.nopethemes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-pawcare/images/helpers/helper-img-6.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/blog/why-pet-dental-care-matters#main-content) [![PawCare](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-pawcare/images/logos/pawcare-logo-dark.png?height=30&name=pawcare-logo-dark.png)](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/home) [Services](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/services) [About](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/about) [Appointments](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/appointments) [Contact](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/contact) [Blog](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/blog) Open until 6pm [(503) 555-0142](tel:+15035550142) [Book a visit](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/appointments) [Services](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/services) [About](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/about) [Appointments](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/appointments) [Contact](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/contact) [Blog](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/blog) [Book a visit](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/appointments) [(503) 555-0142](tel:+15035550142) Open until 6pm # Why dental care matters more than most owners expect Dr. Elena Hart, DVM June 12, 2026 1 min read ![PawCare](https://www.nopethemes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-pawcare/images/helpers/helper-img-6.jpg) By the age of three, most dogs and cats show some sign of dental disease. It starts quietly — plaque hardens into tartar, the gums inflame, and bacteria work below the gumline where you can't see it. Left alone, it leads to pain, tooth loss, and strain on the heart and kidneys. ## Signs worth a closer look - Bad breath that doesn't go away - Yellow or brown buildup along the gumline - Red or bleeding gums - Dropping food, chewing on one side, or eating less ## What a cleaning involves A proper cleaning happens under anaesthesia so we can scale below the gumline, take dental X-rays, and check each tooth without distressing your pet. It's the only way to treat what's actually causing the problem rather than just polishing the surface. ### At home, between visits Daily brushing with a pet-safe paste is the gold standard. If your pet won't tolerate it, dental chews and water additives help. We're happy to show you a technique that works for your animal at your next exam. Keep reading ## More from the blog ### [![Your puppy's first year: a simple vaccination timeline](https://www.nopethemes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-pawcare/images/helpers/helper-img-2.jpg) Your puppy's first year: a simple vaccination timeline The first year is when your puppy builds the immunity that protects them for life. Vaccines are given in a series ... Dr. Elena Hart, DVM · June 18, 2026](https://www.nopethemes.com/pawcare-preview/blog/puppy-first-year-vaccination-timeline) ### [![Five signs your senior cat is due for a checkup](https://www.nopethemes.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-pawcare/images/helpers/helper-img-3.jpg) Five signs your senior cat is due for a checkup Cats are built to hide weakness, so the early signs of age-related illness are easy to miss. Once a cat reaches about ... 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