Dental Care Services for Pets

Dental care should never be neglected for your cherished pets. Ideally your pet's teeth should be brushed daily while at home. Though it is easier said than done, there are safe ways to clean their teeth such as dental chews or treats. Your pet should have a dental consultation for a professional cleaning and examination at least once a year. Without a dental routine, your pet can have tooth decay/loss, infections or even cardiac disease. To book an appointment for your pet, call us at 905-683-6430.

What is periodontal disease?

This is an umbrella term that describes what happens when the mouth is not cared for. When your pet eats, some food particles are left behind in their mouth which mixes with saliva and bacteria to form plaque. With time, the plaque hardens to tartar which damages the gum line and results in tooth decay or loss.

What are signs of dental disease?

When your pet has dental disease, it can be very dangerous for their overall health. Infections from the mouth can spread to other organs through their bloodstream. Here are some signs that your pet has periodontal disease:

• Bad breath
• Yellow or brown buildup on their teeth
• Swollen/red/bleeding gums
• Chewing on one side
• Blood on their chew toys
• Pawing at the face
• Loose teeth

What dental services are performed at your hospital?

1. Professional dental cleaning. The veterinarian will recommend a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) that will be performed under anesthesia to ensure that all regions of the mouth and teeth can be assessed and treated. At our hospital, we have a digital dental X-ray to assess teeth in addition to above and below the gumline, and ultrasonic hand scalers and polishers. Our registered veterinary technicians clean your pet's teeth in the same way your own dental hygienist cleans yours.  Diseased teeth and gums are treated by the veterinarian in a way that is appropriate to the level of infection/concern.
2. Bonded sealant therapy. We have the equipment and ability to offer this service for recently cracked or chipped teeth and open root planing for teeth affected by mild gingival recession. When appropriate, the use of these compounds and surgical procedures can help to seal and protect teeth that would have previously required extraction.
3. Tooth extraction. In some cases, tooth extraction will be required due to severe and painful periodontal disease or dental abscessation. Our veterinarians use a surgical flap technique after placing a dental nerve block (local anesthetic to freeze the region surrounding the tooth to prevent pain).  This method ensures that there is no opening after the tooth is extracted and will be more comfortable with faster healing after the procedure. 

We now offer Post-Extraction Laser Therapy to help patients recover more quickly from dental procedures!