19 Jun How to Keep Your Senior Pet’s Teeth Healthy
As our beloved pets age, their needs change, including how we care for their dental health. While many pet parents focus on mobility or diet in senior years, dental care for senior pets is just as important. In fact, dental disease is the most common health issue in senior pets, and it can quietly lead to pain, infection, and serious complications if left untreated.
The good news? With a few proactive steps, you can help your senior pet maintain a clean, comfortable mouth well into their golden years. Most importantly, you can save them from needless pain and infection caused by dental disease.
Why Dental Care Is Crucial for Senior Pets
Over time, plaque and tartar accumulate on your pet’s teeth. If not removed, this buildup can cause gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and even impact vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver through bacterial infection. What goes on in the mouth of your pet does not stay in the mouth. Studies have shown that pets with periodontal disease have an increased risk of negative tissue changes in their heart, liver, and kidneys. Not only does that association exist, but the worse the periodontal disease is the worse the negative changes are in those vital organ systems.
For older pets whose immune systems may already be slowing down, preventing infection and inflammation is key to a better quality of life.
Warning Signs of Dental Problems in Senior Pets
Senior pets may not show obvious signs of pain, so it’s important to watch for subtle symptoms, including:
- Bad breath (a common red flag)
- Drooling, possibly with blood in the saliva
- Difficulty chewing
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Loss of interest in food or hard treats
- Behavioral changes like irritability or lethargy
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time for a vet visit. However, it is critical to remember that pets most often suffer in silence. To show pain is to show weakness and be more susceptible as prey. Even if they are mostly indoor pets, that predator-prey mechanism is still present. I have personally seen countless pets with rotting and infected mouths that were still eating because that survival instinct to continue to eat is so strong. It is not a question of whether they are in pain, but how can they not be in pain?
7 Ways to Keep Your Senior Pet’s Teeth Healthy
1. Schedule Regular Veterinary Dental Exams
Senior pets should have their teeth checked by a veterinarian at least once a year—more often if they already have dental disease. A professional exam can catch issues you can’t see, like infections beneath the gumline or loose teeth. It is now recommended that humans have their teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months … and we brush our teeth multiple times daily! How much more important is it for our pets to have regular professional dental cleanings, especially if they are not getting daily at-home dental care?
2. Consider Professional Dental Cleanings
Veterinary dental cleanings under anesthesia are the only way to remove tartar from below the gumline. While anesthesia may seem risky for older pets, modern veterinary practices use advanced monitoring and tailored protocols to keep senior pets safe. Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery in Colorado Springs utilizes a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist for all of our senior patients, many of whom have other conditions, such as cardiac, renal, and/or liver disease. That being said, old age is not a disease in and of itself, but it has added concerns. Each anesthetic patient should be treated as an individual with specific health issues that may change an anesthetic protocol.
Some pet owners may believe that since their dog or cat is “old,” they cannot safely have an anesthetic procedure. This is simply not true. Done properly, an anesthetic procedure on a 12-year-old pet can be just as safe as the same procedure performed on a 2-year-old pet.
3. Brush Their Teeth (If They’ll Allow It)
Brushing your pet’s teeth is the gold standard for at-home dental care. Use a pet-specific toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste (never use human toothpaste—it can be toxic to pets).
Start slowly if brushing is new:
- Begin by letting your pet lick the toothpaste
- Gradually introduce brushing a few teeth at a time
- Reward with praise or a dental treat afterward
- Brush their teeth at the same time each day. Pets are creatures of habit. If brushing is a positive event, they will actually remind you to brush their teeth.
4. Try Dental Wipes or Gels
If brushing isn’t an option, dental wipes or gels can help reduce plaque and bacterial buildup. While they’re not as effective as brushing, they’re a valuable alternative for pets who resist more invasive care.
5. Use Dental Treats and Chews
There are many VOHC-approved dental treats formulated to reduce plaque and tartar through chewing action and special ingredients. Just keep an eye on calories—senior pets may be less active, so choose treats that align with their diet. VOHC stands for the Veterinary Oral Health Council, which evaluates these products for efficacy independently.
6. Incorporate Dental-Friendly Food or Additives
Ask your vet about:
- Dental diets with kibble designed to clean teeth will help reduce plaque
- Water additives that freshen breath and help reduce bacteria in the mouth
These are great tools to add to your pet’s daily routine with minimal effort, but they still will not be as effective as tooth brushing.
7. Adjust Their Diet if Needed
If your senior pet has lost teeth or has sore gums, you may need to soften their food by:
- Adding warm water or broth to kibble
- Switching to canned or wet food
- Using senior-specific diets that are easier to chew
Keeping your pet comfortable at mealtime can prevent weight loss and improve their overall well-being.
Final Thoughts
Senior pets deserve to age gracefully—and that includes dental care for a healthy, pain-free mouth. By combining professional veterinary care with gentle, consistent at-home practices, you can prevent dental problems before they start, relieve discomfort, and give your furry friend more happy, tail-wagging years.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for your senior pet’s dental care.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (06/19/2025) Photo by Reba Spike on Unsplash
