What Happens When a Dog Chips a Tooth?

Dogs end up with broken teeth very easily. It is one of the most common occurrences due to their food and play habits. A dog can break its teeth while chewing hard substances, including bones, or due to trauma, such as being hit by a ball or a rock. The easiest teeth to break are the canines that lie in the front and resemble fangs. The second teeth that can break easily are the fourth premolars, which are located on the top and after the canines.

  1. Effects of a Chipped Tooth

    • The disadvantage of having a broken tooth is the infection that the dog becomes prone to. A broken tooth develops bacteria and it is capable of infecting the bone and the entire mouth. As a result, the broken tooth will die and the infection spreads to the other teeth. The bacteria and the white blood cells together will cause bone mass depletion. The infection will not restrict to the mouth and spread to other parts of the body through blood cells. The most susceptible organs to get affected are the liver and kidneys. A dog with a chipped tooth requires a canine dentist.

      An infected tooth is painful and needs antibiotics. Dogs are not very good at showing their discomfort when in pain. They have a higher threshold for pain. The pet owner may not identify the tooth problem in time to prevent the infection.

      An ignored tooth problem has long term effects on the dog's health. The dog's condition will deteriorate gradually with decreasing appetite and poor activity rate. Though the dog may not have any illness, the bacterial infection causes health deterioration.

    Identification

    • Dogs have a higher resistance to pain, so they may not show any discomfort when the tooth gets chipped. To identify a chipped tooth, check the dog's mouth regularly. This way you can spot any broken tooth and take immediate remedial measures. Another method is to take your dog for scheduled veterinary check ups. The vet will immediately identify broken or chipped teeth. If the root fracture is suspected, the vet may order an X-ray to confirm it

    Chipped Tooth Treatment Options

    • If the root is not fractured and there is no occurrence of periodontal disease, the vet performs a root canal. In this procedure, the dental pulp is removed and the cavity is filled with medication to prevent bacterial infection.

      The second option to treat a chipped is known as vital pulpotomy. This procedure is performed just on freshly chipped teeth with minimal infection. It is the preferred chipped tooth treatment option for dogs less than 18 months of age and who have immature teeth.

      The last option to treat a chipped tooth is dependent on the tooth that is chipped, the amount of chipping and any dental problem. This treatment involves extracting the affected tooth. Usually, vets use this option as the last resort, as it is painful for the dogs given the long length of the roots and the complexity of the procedure. It is also avoided as the dog may end up losing the working of a tooth while chewing.

    Preventive Measures

    • Rather than depriving the dog of bone treats, which can increase the risk of chipping a tooth, reduce the chewing time to 10 minutes. Avoid playing catch with bones. Do not allow your dog to play with hard plastic toys, as they can cause the teeth to chip.

      Use a canine dental kit to brush your dog's teeth regularly. Do not use your toothpaste as it contains chemicals, which can be harmful for the dog. Stick to specially formulated dog toothpaste. It will be part of the dental kit. Regularly check your dog's teeth for cracks and other dental problems, such as tartar, discoloration of the teeth and gums, and tenderness. Schedule regular visits to the vet.