Dental Health Care

Dental Health Care

One of the most common reasons for pets to "act old" isn't old age, it is pain from dental disease. Your dog or cat can't tell you when they're in pain. Occasionally, there are signs such as odor, bleeding, or pawing at the face. They may also have altered eating or playing behaviors, but in most instances there are no obvious signs; your pet has to deal with the pain and simply act older. It is our job to diagnose and treat dental diseases. We are very passionate about your pet's well-being and the painful conditions with which they might be dealing.

Small Animal Dentistry

A dental exam is part of every comprehensive physical exam we perform. If dental disease is detected we will make recommendations for what can be done to address the problem.


  • Most dogs and cats over age five have at least one painful tooth in their mouth
  • Approximately 70% of dogs and cats are in need of some level of dental care
  • 80% of dogs and cats over three years of age have periodontal disease.  It's the most commonly diagnosed medical condition in dogs and cats
  • 80% of cats over 5 years of age have at least one painful cavity near (or under) the gum line
  • Without dental x-rays, most painful dental problems will be missed!


Discounts on dental cleanings are offered for the entire month of February.

Schedule your pet's dental exam today!

Why dental care for pets?

AAH periodontal radiograph

Imagine for a moment that you stopped brushing your teeth. Not just for today, but for the next 5 years. Do you think it would change the look of your pearly whites when you smile? Affect how close people stand to you when you talk? Maybe alter the taste of your food? Well, the same thing happens with your pets. 


Pets need regular dental care, just like we do. Without it they can develop tartar build up, bad breath, gum disease and dental infections. Left untreated these can progress to painful teeth, tooth loss, lack of appetite, and even the spread of bacteria to other parts of the body. Once tartar has accumulated on the teeth a professional cleaning under anesthesia is the only way to get the teeth clean and evaluate the pet for any other underlying dental issues.


Though not all pets are appreciative of daily brushing, there are many products on the market that can help to minimize the buildup of bacteria and tartar as well as keep the mouth cleaner and healthier. Though these products will not likely eliminate the need for professional cleanings entirely, they can reduce the number of cleanings that are necessary over the course of your pet's lifetime and prevent the progression of tartar to a more serious infection. 

Imagine for a moment that you stopped brushing your teeth. Not just for today, but for the next 5 years. Do you think it would change the look of your pearly whites when you smile? Affect how close people stand to you when you talk? Maybe alter the taste of your food? Well, the same thing happens with your pets. 


Pets need regular dental care, just like we do. Without it they can develop tartar build up, bad breath, gum disease and dental infections. Left untreated these can progress to painful teeth, tooth loss, lack of appetite and even spread of bacteria to other parts of the body. Once tartar has accumulated on the teeth a professional cleaning under anesthesia is the only way to get the teeth clean and evaluate the pet for any other underlying dental issues.


Though not all pets are appreciative of daily brushing, there are many products on the market that can help to minimize the buildup of bacteria and tartar and help keep the mouth cleaner and healthier. Though these products will not likely eliminate the need for professional cleanings entirely, they can reduce the number of cleanings that are necessary over the course of your pet's lifetime and prevent the progression of tartar to a more serious infection. 

AAH periodontal radiograph

Why choose us?

Treatment for dental diseases varies from pet to pet and should be assessed after dental x-rays and careful consideration of your pet's age, breed, and the individual circumstances. We will work with you to select a treatment method that will achieve the best results. Abilene Animal Hospital has the most up-to-date equipment, which allows us to ensure the best possible outcome. Anesthetic safety is a priority. Our well-trained staff and sophisticated monitoring equipment allows us to provide general anesthesia with a very high level of safety.

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