Why pet dentals are important!

Written by Sara Neuman, Jan 2026

February (and September!) ushers in Dental Month here at Gainesville Animal Hospitals East and West, and that means we’re seeing a lot of open mouths. What do you see when you look in your pet’s mouth? Are their gums red? How about plaque or tartar on those back teeth? Maybe a cracked tooth? When our doctors evaluate a patient, they check their mouths for signs of dental disease and recommend dental cleanings as needed. Just like with humans, the best prevention for dental disease is to get regular dental cleanings every six months. 

The importance of keeping your pet’s mouth healthy can’t be overstated. “Dental disease can affect many other organs, like the heart and kidneys, resulting in systemic illness,” according to Senior Veterinarian Dr. Sujdak. When a pet’s gums and teeth are unhealthy, the bacteria travel from their mouth, through the blood stream to the rest of the body, causing damage to vital organs. This can also affect your pet’s immune system, making it difficult for them to fight off other infections. Inflammation resulting from dental disease even increases the risk of other chronic diseases, like diabetes.

Oral health can often be overlooked at home, because it’s difficult to see inside a pet’s mouth, and impossible to evaluate what’s going on beneath the gum line. For those areas that are beneath the gums, we use x-rays to determine if there are any unseen issues brewing.

Some signs of dental issues can be apparent at home, based on your pet’s behavior. Consider bringing your pet in for our doctors to examine if your pet has any of the following behaviors or symptoms:

-Foul smelling breath

-Discolored teeth

-Rubbing or pressing their face on surfaces regularly

-Pawing at their mouth regularly

-Chewing on one side

-Reluctance to eat, or avoiding hard foods/kibble

-Whimpering or crying out when chewing

-Excessive drooling, with or without blood

-Facial swelling, especially below the eyes

In the world of dental health, the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” really applies. When dental issues are tackled early on, they can prevent chronic issues, not just in the mouth, but for your pet’s overall health.

Dental Month at Gainesville Animal Hospitals East and West incentivizes this critical part of your pet’s wellness by offering a discount on dental procedures done during February and September. Call us to speak with our team regarding scheduling your pet’s dental cleaning, and take advantage of the perks of Dental Month!