Has your dog broken their tooth? A dog’s broken tooth can be so bothersome that it’s important to treat it immediately. A broken tooth in dogs often results from chewing hard objects or from external trauma. Whatever the cause, it is important to treat it properly.
Dog Broken Tooth Signs
So how do you know if your dog suffers from a fractured tooth? You need to observe your pet. If your dog has a broken tooth, you will notice the following:
- Cannot chew properly, thus dropping the food from the mouth.
- Chews food on one side only.
- Swelling in the face.
- Gnashing of teeth.
- Enlargement of the lymph node.
- Does not chew on hard toys.
- Does not eat hard food.
If you see these signs, then there is a good chance that your dog is suffering from a broken tooth. Your dog should undergo treatment as soon as possible before the tooth gets too sensitive and painful.
Treatment For Broken Tooth In Dogs
There are three options available to treat a dog’s broken tooth.
- Root Canal. This treatment option involves cleaning, disinfecting, and filling the root canal to stop the infection and save the tooth.
- Vital Pulp. This procedure is often done on younger dogs with a broken tooth (usually in pups under eighteen months old). This treatment involves removing a layer of the pulp to remove the inflamed tissue and bacteria. A medicated dressing is placed on the exposed layer to promote faster healing. This dental treatment may still require a root canal soon.
- Extraction of Teeth. This is actually the last resort. Most veterinarians avoid this option and try to save the teeth as much as they can. Extraction of teeth can be expensive, especially for big canines, since this involves dental surgery.
A fractured tooth in dogs is no easy thing for both the owner and the dog. That is why dog owners should try to prevent this from happening in the first place, but when it does happen, it’s important to deal with it immediately.
