Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Your dog’s permanent teeth, like your own, need to last their entire life. If they aren’t properly cared for, they can suffer decay and damage like human teeth.
If your dog chips a tooth, it will need to be repaired. This can be painful, involve uncomfortable procedures, and cost money.
Ensuring you give your dog safe chews and toys can help prevent damage to their teeth.
It’s a bad day for you and your dog when they chip a tooth. Chipped teeth can happen for a number of reasons, but they always require a trip to the vet. Your dog’s permanent teeth, like your own, need to last their entire life. When a tooth has been chipped, it will need to be removed or repaired.
Dog dental care can really add up, and most pet owners don’t have dental insurance for their animals. The cost of repairing a chipped tooth can come at an inconvenient time and cost you hundreds of dollars you weren’t expecting to spend. Not to mention, your dog will likely experience pain from the chipped tooth.
Making sure your dog’s teeth are well cared for is important, and not just so you can avoid costly doggie dental services. Your dog’s health and wellness are directly linked to their oral health, so keeping their teeth and gums healthy actually keeps their bodies healthy. It doesn’t take a lot of extra time or work to take care of your dog’s teeth.
The canine dental care experts at Yummy Combs will explain how a dog’s teeth might become chipped, what to do if you see your dog has chipped a tooth, and, most importantly, how to reduce the risk of your dog ever chipping a tooth.
Once your dog has lost all their puppy teeth, the adult teeth should be fully intact. These teeth should not be loose or missing, and if they are properly taken care of, they shouldn’t chip. It isn’t normal for a dog to chip teeth.
If your dog does chip a tooth and you don’t see how it happened, there are a few probable explanations.
If your dog experiences a blow to the muzzle, it could result in a chipped tooth. It might seem uncommon for a dog to receive this type of injury, but keep in mind that crystal-clear glass doors can be culprits for dogs just like they can be for birds.
It’s also possible for a dog to chip a tooth during rough play. If they are playing with other dogs and become particularly rough, they could chip a tooth.
Tooth decay and gum disease are more common in dogs than most people realize. By the age of three, about 80 percent of dogs will have some form of periodontal disease. This can lead to loose teeth, chipped, and broken teeth.
The best ways to prevent tooth decay are to get regular, professional cleanings and practice good dental care at home.
The biggest culprit responsible for chipped and broken teeth in dogs is unsafe chew toys. Not all chews and toys are safe for your dog’s teeth.
In fact, many of them simply are not. Many chews and toys are marketed to all dogs but aren’t actually safe for all dogs. For instance, large dogs may be able to tolerate a chew stick or bone that is hard, but a small dog may need a much softer chew.
Chew toy safety is a big concern, not just because your dog could chip a tooth. Unsafe chews and treats can also cause other risks, like gastrointestinal tears, obstructions, and choking hazards.
No matter how your dog chips a tooth, you’ll need to have it examined by their veterinarian. It’s also possible that you may not notice that your dog has chipped a tooth.
If your dog has chipped a tooth in the back of its mouth, you may not see it. It may even be difficult to spot in the front of their mouth unless you are actively looking for it.
Symptoms of a chipped tooth may include:
If you find your dog has a chipped tooth, you should take action immediately. Your dog could be in pain, and if left untreated, the tooth will develop decay and lead to more dental issues.
Discovering your dog has chipped a tooth can be saddening and make you feel like panicking. Your dog should be seen by their veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if they are showing signs of pain (like whining, whimpering, or pawing their face).
Your dog’s veterinarian will take X-rays to examine the damage of your dog’s tooth. Your dog will likely be sedated for this process so that the veterinarian can have safe, complete access to your dog’s mouth.
Once your dog’s veterinarian has seen the extent of the damage, they’ll decide on a course of action. If the fracture is extremely small and does not involve the underlying layers of the tooth (the dentin), your dog’s veterinarian may suggest that you take no action and monitor the tooth.
If the tooth has been badly fractured, you’ll likely have two options.
Dental care for your dog can quickly add up, and can cause your dog a lot of unnecessary discomfort. Your dog will also be placed under anesthesia to keep them calm and ensure their veterinarian can work on their teeth safely. Some dogs may have undesirable reactions from anesthesia.
As such, it’s important to take care of your dog’s teeth at home and ensure that the treats and chews you offer them are safe for their teeth.
Your dog may love to chew on a rawhide bone, but they aren’t the safest option. Dogs can be prone to gulping large pieces of these types of chews, which can place them at risk of choking.
In addition, these chews don’t digest quickly when your dog eats them, which can lead to life-threatening issues (like bowel obstructions) when they are digested. At Yummy Combs, safety and efficacy go hand in hand to create a chew that is not just safe for your dog’s teeth and body but proactively helps keep their teeth healthy and their bodies nourished.
Our dental treats are unlike anything else on the market. They’ve got scientific research to back them.
A study of the effectiveness of Yummy CombsⓇ treats showed that they were effective in removing up to 25% of hardened tartar on dog teeth — something other treats and chews cannot do. Yummy Combs also help keep your dog’s breath neutral, so you can enjoy close-up snuggles more.
Yummy Combs unique honeycomb design not only scrubs and flosses 360 degrees of your dog’s teeth and keeps your dog chewing safely.
Giving your dog a treat has never been safer or more effective. And you can feel good about reducing their kibble to account for the calories in Yummy Combs. We combine 44% chicken protein with 12 longevity ingredients to keep your dog full, satisfied, and thriving.
Dogs love to chew, but if they aren’t chewing safely they could break a tooth, experience pain, and cost their owners a wallop of dental expenses. Play it smart by giving your dog Yummy Combs to help keep their teeth healthy and avoid dental mayhem.
Sources:
How to Choose Edible Dog Chews That Are Also Safe|AKC.org
Fractured Teeth in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals
Risks from a fractured tooth | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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