Dental Care for Young Pets: It’s Not Just for Seniors 🦷🐾
- Grand Haven Animal Hospital
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
When people think about pet dental care, they often picture gray muzzles and senior pets—but dental health is just as important for puppies and kittens! In fact, young animals can develop a surprising number of oral health problems that deserve prompt veterinary attention.
Common Dental Issues in Young Pets
Even at a young age, pets can experience dental concerns such as:
Broken or fractured teeth
Retained baby teeth
Foreign objects stuck in the mouth
Gingivitis (inflamed gums)
Stomatitis (especially common in cats)
Oral papillomas (warts)
Burns from chewing electrical cords
And in rare cases, oral tumors
That’s why routine oral checks are a key part of every wellness exam.
Hazel’s Story: Why Retained Baby Teeth Matter
Hazel is the perfect example of why early dental care is so important.
When Hazel came in for her routine spay appointment at just 6 months old, we noticed something unusual—her baby canine teeth were still firmly in place, growing right alongside her adult canines. Dental X-rays confirmed that these baby teeth had fully developed root systems, meaning they were very unlikely to fall out on their own.
The teeth didn’t look diseased… so was this really a problem?
Absolutely yes.
Why Retained Baby Teeth Are a Big Deal
Retained baby teeth—especially in small dogs—cause overcrowding and create tight spaces where bacteria and plaque love to hide. In already small mouths, this can quickly lead to dental disease.
Small dogs are up to five times more likely to develop dental disease compared to larger breeds, making early intervention critical. (This increased risk is well documented by experts like the Waltham Petcare Science Institute - https://www.waltham.com/news-events/oral-health/small-dog-breeds-highest-risk-dental-disease.)
One Procedure, Big Benefits
Since Hazel was already scheduled for her spay surgery, we removed her retained baby teeth during the same anesthesia event. This approach:
Prevented Hazel from undergoing anesthesia twice
Saved her family a significant amount of money
Protected her adult teeth from future decay and disease
Now Hazel has more room in her mouth, a healthier bite, and—with good dental hygiene—she’s on track for a lifetime of clean, happy smiles.
What This Means for Your Pet
During your puppy or kitten’s initial vaccine visits, dental checks are always part of the wellness exam. Dr. Jen carefully monitors how baby teeth are falling out and adult teeth are coming in.
If your pet hasn’t been spayed or neutered yet, that procedure can be an ideal time to address retained baby teeth.
If your pet is older, removing problematic teeth and performing a full dental cleaning and polish is still incredibly valuable in preventing future issues.
Take Action Early—Your Pet’s Smile Depends on It 🐶🐱
Dental disease starts quietly, but once it progresses, it can be painful, costly, and life-long. The good news? Early intervention makes a huge difference. If your puppy or kitten has retained baby teeth, visible plaque buildup, bad breath, or if you’re simply unsure what’s going on in their mouth, now is the time to act.
📞 Call our clinic today to schedule a dental evaluation
📅 Ask about combining dental care with spay or neuter surgery
🦷 Protect your pet’s teeth before problems start
Your pet only gets one set of adult teeth—let’s work together to keep them healthy, comfortable, and shining for years to come. Reach out to our team today and give your young pet the dental care they deserve!