February is National Pet Dental Health Month, sponsored every year by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The month is a reminder, but the work it points to happens all year: a toothbrush at home and a dental exam at the clinic.
Vets give teeth a whole month for a good reason. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some level of periodontal (gum) disease by age 2. Most of that disease sits below the gumline, where you can't see it, so a mouth can look fine from the outside and still be diseased underneath.
When is National Pet Dental Health Month?
National Pet Dental Health Month runs for all of February, every year, from February 1 to the last day of the month. The AVMA sponsors it. The dates never move; only the weekdays and the leap-year day change. The next one is February 2027.
Year | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
2027 | Monday, February 1 | Sunday, February 28 |
2028 | Tuesday, February 1 | Tuesday, February 29 (leap year) |
For the AVMA's own owner information, see its pet dental care page.
Why vets single out teeth
Dental disease in dogs and cats starts with plaque, a soft film of bacteria that forms on the teeth every day. Brushing wipes plaque off. Left for a few days, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), and a toothbrush can no longer remove it. Only a professional cleaning can.
Plaque along the gumline inflames the gums. That stage is called gingivitis: the gums turn red, swell and bleed easily, and the breath often smells. Proper cleaning can reverse gingivitis. Left alone, the infection can move deeper into the ligaments and bone that hold the teeth in place. That is periodontitis, and it is much harder to reverse. Over time, teeth loosen and are lost.
Tartar is the part owners notice, but it isn't the main problem. The disease that matters is under the gums, and the only way to measure it is with probing and dental X-rays while the pet is under anesthesia.
The damage doesn't always stay in the mouth. Merck notes that periodontal disease has systemic effects; in cats, for example, it has been associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease.
Common dental problems in dogs and cats
- Gingivitis and periodontal disease: very common in both species, described above.
- Tooth resorption in cats: the tooth structure breaks down from the inside, often first seen as a pink spot where the tooth meets the gum. Cornell's Feline Health Center reports it in 30 to 70% of cats; the cause is unknown and it can be very painful. You may see it called FORL (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions).
- Stomatitis in cats: severe inflammation of the mouth with pain, drooling, bad breath and poor appetite. More in our guide to feline stomatitis.
- Broken teeth: often from chewing hard things such as real bones, hooves, antlers or hard nylon toys. Any broken tooth needs a vet check.
- Retained baby teeth: baby teeth that stay put after the adult teeth come in. See what is normal during puppy teething.
- Bite problems (malocclusion): teeth or jaws that don't line up, which raises the risk of gum disease.
Signs your pet needs a dental exam
- Bad breath (bad breath in cats has its own list of causes)
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Yellow-brown tartar along the gumline, or discolored teeth
- Loose or broken teeth
- Drooling, or dropping food while eating
- Chewing on one side, or turning the head oddly while eating
- Pawing at the face or rubbing the mouth on things
- Reluctance to eat, or a new preference for soft food over kibble and hard toys
- Swelling of the face or jaw
Cats hide it well. Cornell lists hesitating at the bowl, tilting the head to chew and choosing soft food as signs of gum disease, so a cat that still eats can still have a sore mouth.
Not every sign is an emergency, but none of them can be fixed at home. Bad breath or a little tartar can wait for your next visit, or for a dental exam if one is overdue. Bleeding or swollen gums, a loose tooth, or a change in how your pet eats need an appointment soon. Call your vet right away if your pet stops eating, has a swollen face or jaw, breaks a tooth, or bleeds from the mouth and it won't stop. Your vet examines the mouth and recommends what comes next.
What happens at a professional dental cleaning
A proper dental cleaning is done under general anesthesia, with a breathing tube that protects the airway and lungs. With the pet asleep, the veterinary team can:
- examine every tooth, including the tongue-side surfaces an awake pet won't allow
- measure the gum pockets around each tooth with a probe
- take dental X-rays to see the roots and bone below the gumline
- scale tartar off above and below the gumline, then polish the teeth
If the exam finds teeth that are too damaged to save, your vet will talk you through the options, which can include extraction.
Why anesthesia-free cleaning isn't recommended
Some businesses sell "anesthesia-free" teeth cleaning, often done by people with no training in veterinary dental techniques. The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) calls it inappropriate in its position statement on dental scaling without anesthesia (adopted in 2004). It also points out that in the US and Canada, only a licensed veterinarian, or a trained veterinary technician under supervision, may provide dental services. The AVDC's reasons:
- Removing tartar takes sharp instruments, so even a slight head movement can injure the mouth, and the operator can be bitten.
- The most important part of a cleaning is below the gumline, and that area can't be reached in an awake dog or cat. Scraping off only the visible tartar is, in the AVDC's words, "purely cosmetic".
- A full oral exam isn't possible while the pet is awake, so painful problems are missed.
- Anesthesia with a breathing tube keeps the pet still and pain-free and protects the lungs.
No anesthetic is risk-free, and it's fair to ask your vet how they assess and monitor your pet. The AVDC notes that modern anesthetic and patient-evaluation techniques used in veterinary hospitals minimize the risks.
How to brush your dog's teeth
Brushing is the strongest tool you have at home. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, brushing daily, or at least every other day, appears to be the most effective way to keep the gums healthy. Any longer and plaque starts to harden into tartar.
You'll need:
- A toothpaste made for dogs. Merck says toothpastes made for people should not be used for dogs.
- A soft toothbrush sized for your dog's mouth, or a finger brush for small dogs.
Steps:
- Start slowly. Let your dog lick a little toothpaste off your finger, then off the brush, and reward them.
- Gently lift the lip and touch the brush to a few front teeth. Keep sessions short and end on a good note.
- Work back to the big teeth at the sides, brushing along the gumline, where plaque collects.
- Brush only the outside surfaces of the teeth (the side facing the lips and cheeks). The tongue keeps the inside surfaces cleaner, so you don't need to fight for them.
- Reward your dog after every session with praise, play or a small treat.
If your dog won't accept a brush, Merck suggests wiping the outside of the teeth with a gauze pad instead, which still removes plaque. Never force it. A fight turns brushing into something your dog dreads. If the gums bleed heavily or your dog seems to be in pain, stop and book a vet visit. More on common dog tooth problems and how they start.
How to brush your cat's teeth
Cats can learn to accept brushing if you take it slowly. Cornell's Feline Health Center recommends daily brushing and a slow, four-week introduction:
- Week 1: leave the brush and toothpaste where your cat can sniff them. Each day, offer a dab of cat toothpaste on your finger and reward your cat for licking it.
- Week 2: put a dab of toothpaste on one of the canine teeth each day, then reward.
- Week 3: let your cat lick toothpaste off the toothbrush, then reward.
- Week 4: gently lift the lips, slip the brush between lips and gums, and hold the bristles at a 45-degree angle aimed at the line where the teeth meet the gums. Brush the outside surfaces of the upper and lower teeth.
Use only toothpaste or gel made for cats; Cornell warns that human products can be toxic to cats. A soft cat toothbrush or a finger brush with very soft bristles works. You can skip the inside surfaces, because a cat's tongue keeps them fairly clean.
Keep sessions short and reward your cat every time.
Chews, diets and the VOHC seal
Brushing does the most. Some dental diets, chews and water additives also help slow plaque and tartar. The seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) tells you which ones have evidence behind them. The VOHC doesn't test products itself: it reviews the manufacturer's study data against set standards and awards its Seal of Acceptance for plaque control, tartar control, or both. Ask your veterinarian which product suits your pet's mouth, size and health.
Skip hard chews. Merck warns that real bones, hooves, antlers and hard nylon toys can crack or break teeth.
Don't count on dry food alone, either. Merck says the common belief that kibble cleans teeth "does not necessarily always hold true", so treat it as a small extra, not a replacement for brushing.
None of these products replace exams or cleanings. The VOHC itself says middle-aged and older pets need periodic professional cleaning on top of daily plaque control.
Ways to mark the month
February makes a good deadline for small habits that last the rest of the year:
- Book a dental exam if your pet hasn't had one recently, or sooner if you've noticed any of the signs above.
- Start the brushing routine this week and build it up slowly.
- Swap bones, antlers and hooves for VOHC-accepted options your vet approves.
- Look in your pet's mouth while you brush, so you spot changes early.
For vet teams, the month is a natural moment to show clients how to brush, explain why a cleaning needs anesthesia, and send home a brushing plan.
Organizations behind pet dental health
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) reviews the evidence for plaque and tartar control products and awards the VOHC Seal of Acceptance.
The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) certifies board-certified veterinary dentists. If your pet needs specialist care, you can find a board-certified veterinary dentist on its site.
The Veterinary Dental Forum, hosted by the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry and the AVDC, is the largest veterinary dental conference and has met every year since 1987.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Periodontal Disease in Small Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Dental Disorders of Dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Dental Disorders of Cats
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Dental Disease
- American Veterinary Dental College: Companion Animal Dental Scaling Without Anesthesia
- Veterinary Oral Health Council and its Accepted Products list
- American Veterinary Dental College
- Veterinary Dental Forum
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Dental Care
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
