Keeping your pet’s teeth healthy with preventative care

Keeping your pet’s teeth healthy with preventative care

Your pet’s dental health is an important part of their overall well-being. Dental disease can cause pain, inflammation, and tooth loss, but regular preventative care and professional treatment can help keep their mouth healthy.

For pet parents in York Region, we’re making it easier to prioritize your pet’s dental health! The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society York Region Veterinary Clinic now offers dental services for pets.

Whether you’re noticing signs of dental disease or looking to stay on top of your pet’s oral health, our veterinary team is here to help.

Does your pet have signs of dental disease?

Dental disease often starts with plaque, which begins forming on the teeth shortly after eating. If plaque isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar and contribute to gingivitis, receding gums, pain and loose or damaged teeth.

Some signs to watch for include:

• Bad breath
• Brownish tartar buildup
• Red or irritated gums
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in behaviour
• Broken or loose teeth
• Bleeding or discharge from the mouth

Dental problems aren’t always easy to spot at home. If you’re concerned about your pet’s teeth or gums, a veterinary examination can help determine what care they may need.

Dental care at our York Region Veterinary Clinic

The Ontario SPCA York Region Veterinary Clinic now offers dental services to help address your pet’s oral health needs.

Dental care begins with assessing your pet’s mouth and determining the appropriate treatment.

When needed, a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) is performed under general anesthesia, allowing the veterinary team to thoroughly examine and treat areas of the mouth that can’t be fully assessed while your pet is awake.

Dental packages include:

• A pre-surgical examination with a veterinarian on the day of surgery
• Day hospitalization
• A dental examination, cleaning and polishing
• Dental radiographs (X-rays)
• Extractions, as required
• Anesthesia and anesthetic medications
• Standard post-operative pain medication
• A recheck examination for surgery-related complications, as determined by a veterinarian

Please note that a dental consultation appointment is required to determine an appropriate treatment plan and is separate from the cost of the dental package.

Keeping teeth healthy at home

Professional dental care is only one part of protecting your pet’s oral health. Regular care at home can help prevent plaque from developing into tartar and reduce the risk of dental disease.

We recommend brushing a minimum of three to four times a week, although daily brushing is ideal. Always use toothpaste and a toothbrush designed specifically for animals and introduce brushing slowly if it’s new to your pet.

Dental diets, treats, rinses, and gels can also help support oral health. Look for VOHC-approved products and avoid excessively hard chews, such as antlers or hard nylon bones, which can fracture teeth. Learn more on dental habits in our blog Take a Bite Out of Dental Health.

We’re here to help keep York Region pets smiling

Dental disease can be easy to overlook, but your pet’s mouth deserves the same attention as the rest of their health. Staying on top of at-home preventative care, watching for changes, and seeking veterinary care when concerns arise can help keep your pet comfortable and healthy.

With dental services now available at our York Region Veterinary Clinic, our team can help you take the next step in caring for your pet’s oral health. Begin your pet’s dental journey here: ontariospca.ca/dental-services