At Rexdale Animal Hospital in Etobicoke, ON, we provide pet dental care that helps prevent pain, infection, and tooth loss. Many families across Toronto, Ontario search for a vet near you when they notice bad breath or visible tartar, but dental problems often start long before obvious symptoms appear. We focus on early detection, safe treatment, and clear home-care guidance so you can protect your pet’s mouth between visits.

Plaque bacteria build up along the gumline every day. When plaque hardens into tartar, it irritates the gums and can progress into dental disease. As gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, bacteria can reach deeper structures and cause painful inflammation, loose teeth, and infection. Pets often keep eating even with significant mouth pain, so we rely on exams to uncover problems early.

We evaluate the gums, tooth surfaces, and the back teeth where tartar often builds fastest. We check for bleeding, gum recession, broken teeth, foul odor, and abnormal chewing behavior. We also assess for swelling along the jaw or under the eye, which can signal tooth root infection. When findings suggest more advanced dental disease, we recommend a professional dental procedure so we can clean thoroughly and evaluate below the gumline.

We perform dental procedures under anesthesia for safety and effectiveness. Anesthesia allows us to protect the airway, manage stress, and clean areas that pets cannot tolerate while awake. We scale the teeth to remove plaque and tartar, then we polish to smooth the enamel and reduce future buildup. We take dental radiographs when indicated to evaluate tooth roots and bone support, since many painful problems hide under the gumline.

Families sometimes call this dog cleaning or cat cleaning, but professional care includes more than surface removal. We evaluate every tooth and we document findings so we can guide long-term prevention.

We recommend tooth extractions only when we cannot save a tooth or when keeping it creates ongoing pain or infection risk. We extract teeth with severe periodontal attachment loss, fractured teeth that expose the pulp, or teeth with root infection. We use local nerve blocks and pain control to support comfort during and after the procedure. We also provide home-care instructions and follow-up guidance so healing stays on track.

Regular brushing with pet-safe toothpaste provides the strongest protection. Dental chews and approved diets can also reduce plaque buildup. We can recommend options based on your pet’s age, chewing habits, and medical history.

If you want pet dental support from a vet near you, call Rexdale Animal Hospital in Etobicoke, ON at (416) 740-7387 to schedule an appointment. We welcome families from across Toronto, Ontario and we provide pet dental care, tooth extractions when needed, and treatment for dental disease to help dogs and cats stay comfortable and healthy.