Dental Care for Older Dogs: Why Healthy Teeth Matter More Than You Think

As dogs age, dental health often gets overlooked. We notice the grey muzzle or creaky joints first, but what’s happening in the mouth quietly affects much more than breath and chewing.

Chronic plaque and tartar build up are not just dental issues. They are ongoing sources of inflammation that can influence a dog’s overall health and quality of life.

What Goes Wrong in an Older Dog’s Mouth

Every dog’s mouth accumulates bacteria. Saliva and food debris cling to the teeth, forming a sticky film called plaque.

If it isn’t regularly removed through brushing or professional care, minerals in saliva turn that plaque into hardened calculus (tartar).

Once tartar forms, it’s much harder to remove without professional attention. Over time, this process leads to inflamed gums (gingivitis), which can progress deeper into the structures supporting the teeth (periodontitis).

In older dogs, periodontal disease is extremely common and usually advanced by the time it’s noticed. More than 80% of dogs over three years old show signs of dental disease.

Left unchecked, this chronic inflammation damages gums and bone, causing pain, loose teeth, and infection. Dogs are experts at hiding discomfort, so many show only subtle signs like pawing at the mouth or preferring softer food.

Beyond the Mouth: Systemic Impacts of Chronic Oral Inflammation

Inflammation doesn’t stay local. Bacteria from plaque and the immune response to persistent gum inflammation can enter the bloodstream. Research shows links between periodontal disease in dogs and health issues affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver. One study found a statistically significant association between periodontal disease and cardiac disease, especially in older dogs.

Other research notes that systemic changes like elevated inflammatory proteins and microscopic organ changes can occur with untreated oral infections. Removing the source of infection through dental treatment can reduce these markers of inflammation.

The takeaway is clear: ongoing oral inflammation doesn’t just hurt gums. It has the potential to drive chronic systemic inflammation and contribute to broader health risks.

The Difference Dental Care Makes

When we clean a dog’s teeth professionally and follow it up with good home dental care, the effect can be profound. Older dogs often show noticeable improvements in comfort, appetite, energy, and overall demeanour after dental treatment. Owners frequently report that their pets seem years younger once dental pain and infection are resolved.

Professional cleaning under anesthesia allows veterinarians to remove tartar above and below the gumline, assess for deeper issues, and extract diseased teeth if necessary. But long-term success depends on consistent home care to slow plaque accumulation and reduce inflammation going forward.

Practical Steps for Owners

• Daily brushing with pet-specific toothpaste is the most effective way to disrupt plaque before it becomes tartar.

• Regular professional dental check-ups ensure hidden disease is caught early.

• Age-appropriate dental plans become especially important in older pets when immune response and tissue repair are slower.

Closing Thoughts

Teeth are more than tools for eating. In older dogs, they are gateways to both comfort and overall health. Chronic inflammation from tartar and plaque isn’t just a local nuisance. It’s a slow, sustained insult to the body that can contribute to wider health issues. Taking dental care seriously gives older dogs a real chance to feel better and stay healthier for longer.

Come and see us for a FREE dental check up