LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Zella,

It would be best to let your vet take a look at those teeth and determine whether or not they need to be removed. Sometimes extra teeth keep the permanent teeth from aligning properly, and this can lead to gum disease later on unless you plan to brush your dog's teeth on a regular basis. Gum disease can eventually lead to heart disease if the bacteria make their way into the bloodstream. That usually the biggest danger to letting a dog keep retained teeth, especially if their are a lot of them.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my chiwahwas are a year old have not lost thiert milk teeth why must they be pulled what is the danger in letting them keep them

-- Contributed by: zella

Hi Jim,

I think the best thing to do is contact an ACD show breeder to get the most accurate answer to your question. As a former toy dog handler, I'd say 1/16th won't make a difference to some judges, but perhaps things are a bit more stringent in ACD competition. Better to go straight to a breeder/exhibitor for the inside info.

Good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

When looking at a puppy for purchase. (ACD'S to be specific) At six weeks of age what is the least acceptable distance for the incissors to be apart from each other (top to bottom)? Do they have to be touching or is 1/16 of an inch acceptable for show purposes?

-- Contributed by: JIM

Hi Paty, and welcome to the site.

If that unusally pigmented area is under the tongue itself rather than on the gum, I don't think it's related to gum disease, but you vet really should take a look at. This is especially so if the area of discoloration is new, because it could be related to some form of mouth cancer. At any rate, it would be a really good idea to let your vet take a look at it. It may turn out to be nothing, but it would be better to treat it early if it does turn out to be something more serious.

Please let us know what you find out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is 11 years old, she has black color under nit of the tongue, could be a signe for a gum dessses??

-- Contributed by: Paty

Hi Char,

If the tooth extractions were very recent, your dog's gums may be too sore right now to handle dry kibble. I would recommend soaking it in chicken broth to soften it, and this should hopefully make it easier and more tempting for your dog to eat. Your dog may be able to crunch dry kibble again once her mouth is fully healed, but you won't be able to know for sure until she heals.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this suggestion helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is 15 years old,she just had her first cleaning, they took out 10 teeth this makes 11 gone.She refuses to eat dry dog food. I'v even tried mixing dry and wet.What can I do? Thank you

-- Contributed by: Char

Hi Michelle,

Your dog may have lost teeth for many reasons. Overbreeding taxes a female's personal calcium supply, and this could have weakened the jaw bones that hold the teeth. This dog might also have lost some teeth due to accidents, cage chewing, etc. Still, I wouldn't rule out a gum problem just yet. It may be better to let a vet take a look to see if further tooth loss can be prevented.

In any case, I'm sure it's a good thing this dog is now in your care. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I got my female pit bull from a person who over bread her. I believe she had at least 4 litters. Could this contribute to her loosing some teeth? She has no tartar, no swelling gums, or bad breath.

-- Contributed by: michelle

Hi Dan,

I'm so sorry to hear your little Pom is having mouth problems. While you can dull the pain with medication, it will only come right back. The very best thing you can do is have your vet examine your pet's gums because it sounds like they are infected. The vet will likely put your dog on a round of antibiotics to treat the infection, and this will eventually eliminate the pain. The vet can also prescribe proper pain medication to help your dog through the healing process. It may be to late to save those remaining teeth, but treating the gum infection will make your dog more comfortable and allow her to eat soft foods.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope your dog responds quickly to treatment. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog is a pomeranian she is 16 yrs old and most of her teeth are gone .her mouth is very painful what can i give her for the pain she wont eat and is very restless

-- Contributed by: dan

Hi Edy,

Although it sounds like you're doing your best to provide your pets with regular dental care, loose teeth often means there is gum disease present. What happens is that the sockets around the roots begin to widen, so the root does not hold the tooth as firmly as it once did. I'm not sure that the vet can fully reverse the loosening, but I do believe it would be beneficial to schedule a dental exam for both dogs to figure out exactly what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the vet is able to help. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have both a chihuahua and a jack/rat and they both have loose front teeth. I clean and scale them but I noticed the other day that they sort of float can this be repaired The jack/rat can't eat bones due to pancreatitus and the chichuahua does chew will they get strong again. I brush them regularly they are aboout 4 and 7 years old.

-- Contributed by: edy

Hi Paul,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's mouth problem. At three years old, it would be very unlikely that this is a new tooth breaking through. Perhaps one of your dog's teeth is infected and the swollen gums around it just make it look like it's a tooth breaking through.

Since your vet appointment isn't for three more days, I think you should call your vet back, explain again how much pain your dog is in, and ask what you can give him for pain relief. The vet may say it's safe to use a baby teething product like Anbesol that numbs the gums, but it's always safest to check first. Although your dog could probably go without food for three days, he will become dangerously dehydrated if he refuses to drink. You'll have to make sure the vet really understands that your dog is refusing to drink anything. If you don't feel like you're getting enough help after that phone call, I'd advise you to go ahead and visit the emergency vet instead.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you're able to find help for your dog as soon as possible.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my 3 year old french mastiff has been eating dry dog food and bones all his life. yesterday he started refuseing to eat and drink apon inspection of his mouth i see one side of his gums just behind his canines he has some irritation and bleeding from what looks like a new tooth coming in is there anything a person can do to relieve this irritation so he will eat again at this point i can't even get him to eat soft foods. i have an appointment with a vet but it is 3 days off

-- Contributed by: paul

Hi Adam,

Although you should take care not to pull too roughly so you don't injure your dog's jaws, there is relatively little danger of pulling out any of his teeth as long as his gums are healthy. You didn't mention your pet's age, but you might pull some teeth if he's a teething puppy. Just keep the play within reason, and everything should be alright.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my mom is very attached to our dog and i play with it all the chite with a chew toy n i pull him around because he's very playful and he wants to take the toy away from me.will i end up pulling some of his teeth off?

-- Contributed by: Adam

Hi Penn,

I'm sorry to hear about what's going on with your puppy. It does sound like there's a gum issue, but it would be a bit unusual for such a young pup to have an infection. AT 13 weeks old, it's normal to see some swelling and misalignment because puppies are usually shedding their milk teeth as the adult teeth begin cutting through.

What really concerns me are the other symptoms your dog is presenting. They are not typically related to teething, and may be a completely separate issue. I'm so glad to hear you have an appointment. Please let us know what you find out.

Best wishes that everything will turn out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 13 week old puppy that is not looking very well. I checked his teeth and his gums are swollen, red, and his upper front teeth are not centered correctly. He also seems confused and walks around and around till he tires. He also walks into cabinets and people without even attempting to move around. He's like a little robot toy that hits the wall and turns around to go the other direction. Also when he's running he will trip himself and slid to the floor. He has a vet appointment but wanted to know what to expect. Thanks

-- Contributed by: Penn

Hi Teeth,

A Puppy's teeth naturally fall out to make way for the adult teeth. However, there is no natural reason for adult teeth to fall out because they are meant to last a lifetime. If a dog's adult teeth are falling out, gum disease is usually the number one culprit. Sometime a tooth will get knocked out accidentally during rough play, but if more than one tooth has come out and others seem lose, it very likely due to a gum infection that needs to be addressed right away. A vet may or may not be able to prevent further tooth loss, but the infection should still be treated because the bacteria can reach the bloodstream and damage the heart.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info proves helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

do pugs have a normal reason for their teeth to fall out?

-- Contributed by: teeth

Hi Helen,

This is most unusual. In fact, I've never heard of it before although that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Have you tried brushing the teeth to see if the hair can be removed? There's a possibility your dog ate something fuzzy. If the hair is still attached at the gum after gentle brushing, you may want to have your vet take a look at it to make sure it isn't related to abnormal cell growth.

Thanks for an interesting question. I wish I had a better answer for you. Do let us know what you find out, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 18 month great dane. He had distemper as a pup, but came through it with no ill effects, or so I hoped. I just noticed that he has hair growing in his mouth at the gum line around his canine teeth. I don't know if this has anything to do with his having distemper and have never heard of anything like it. It this something that I have to be concerned about?

-- Contributed by: Helen

Hi Luis,

I have heard of dogs wearing down their canines a bit from chewing hard items like bones and rocks, but I've never heard of one wearing them down to the extent you describe. The best thing you can do is let your vet examine your dog's teeth and gums. That scratching and rubbing around the muzzle might be a sign that your dog is also experiencing gum irritation. It's possible that food has worked its way up under the gumline causing an infection. Let your vet assess the situation and determine if there is anything to be done.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is 13 years old and an escape artist. She doesn't go anywhere, she just tends to try and eat through anything that keeps her confined (fences of any material). She has also been known to dig up rocks and chew on them. She has little to know interest in toys or bones and she is on a hard food diet. The problem is that, over the years, she has worn her teeth down very low. She no longer has any canines to speak of (they've been worn flat) and she doesn't seem to try and escape any more but she scratches her face around her teeth vigorously some nights either with her paw or just against the rug. I took another look at her teeth today and they all seem quite diminished. Does anyone know if there may be something else happening here that I can address before it gets any worse or is this something that happens to dogs as they get on in life. I've had this girl since she was 6 weeks old and I'm a little concerned about my best friend here.

-- Contributed by: Luis Martinez

Hi Jr.,

The best thing you can do is take your dog to the vet immediately for a tooth exam and treatment. This sounds like a severe gum infection. If that is truly the case, the bacteria in the gums can enter the bloodstream and colonize in your dog's heart, leading to heart disease. Please make that appointment right away. In the meantime, feed your dog a soft food diet like boiled chicken and brown rice. This is only a short term solution until you have her teeth cared for.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi my dog is not eating due to swollen gums. his teeth look worn down where the gum is swollen. what can I do

-- Contributed by: jr

Hi Papiola,

Receding gums may indicate pockets of gum disease. The best thing you can do is ask your vet to examine your dog's teeth. It's possible those canines can be saved, but let your vet take a look with a trained eye and decide on the best course of action.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my 5 year old has two top incisors where the gum is somewhat receded and the tooth dark at the base, the rest of her teeth are fine and bright with no sign of tartar, the gums are of a good pink color.

-- Contributed by: papiola2

Hi Nicola,

There are several things that could be going on with your dog's teeth.

Are you offering him real bones to chew? If so, this could be wearing down his teeth. Some dogs have softer dentin than others, so they wear quicker.
How well do your dog's teeth fit together? Misaligned teeth can lead to excessive wear and tear.
Have you ever heard your dog grinding his teeth, even in his sleep? This is another possible cause.

All things considered, it's a good idea to have your vet examine your dog's teeth now while the damage is still minimal. Be sure to bring in a sample of the kibble you feed so your vet can check that out too. It's possible that this dog will require a change in diet to help preserve his teeth.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what you find out. We've had visitors with similar questions in the past, and it would be good to share the info. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 2 yr old german shepherd who seems to be grinding down his canine teeth, I noticed when comparing them to my 9yr german shepherd they don't appear to be as sharp as before. I feed him dried worker dog food, his teeth are brillant white and don't have smelly breath, what could it be?

-- Contributed by: nicola

Hi Theresa,

Generally, the adult teeth come in behind the puppy teeth and help push them out. You can usually tell them apart quite easily because the adult teeth look more substantial. Occasionally, a puppy tooth is retained. When this happens, it's best to have your vet remove it so it doesn't cause crowding of the adult teeth.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

does the canine adult teeth come in in front or behind the baby teeth

-- Contributed by: theresa

Hi Linda,

The bacteria from a gum infection can cause heart damage if it reaches the heart and colonizes there. It's possible your dog could have had the murmur all along, and it went undiscovered. However, it's worth asking your vet if the gum disease and murmur are related in his opinion.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's quick recovery. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Re: my earlier comment. when i took him in the vet said he had a heart murmur,i wonder if that was caused by the gum disease as mentioned by kelly??

-- Contributed by: Linda

I have adopted a retired greyhound. The poor dog's teeth were so bad that i took him for a dental and they took 21 teeth out; yesterday. He is still in pain and bleeding. on the up side his breath already smells better, he has eaten, had a drink and been on a little walk. amazing how quickly they get over these things.

-- Contributed by: Linda

Hi Julie,

If your dog is a young puppy, she is probably just shedding her milk teeth and replacing them with her adult teeth. However, if she is an adult, she shouldn't be losing any teeth. If this is the case, she is likely suffering from gum disease and this is something your vet will need to address. Left unchecked, gum disease can lead to heart trouble, so please be sure to have her teeth examined and cleaned by your vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope all will be well.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a little chihuahua and notice she lost 3 teeth. How many teeth do dogs loose?

-- Contributed by: JULIE

Hi Chandler,

That yellow build up is tartar, and the gum irritation indicates the gums are infected. At this point, it will be necessary for your vet to scale the tartar away and clean beneath the gums to remove as much bacteria and debris as possible. This will require anesthesia and probably an antibiotic as well. However, it's very necessary because the aenerobic bacteria can make their way from the gums to the blood stream and then the heart. Lodged here, they can multiply and weaken the muscle, leading to heart disease. Far better to do what you can now to help your dog regain her health. Your vet can also show you how to brush your dog's teeth to prevent the build up from ever getting that far again.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this info helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog has yellow build up on the top of her teeth and red swollen gums what should i do?

-- Contributed by: chandler

Hi Casie,

A dog's temperature is naturally higher than a human's, so your dog's current temperature should be between 100 and 101 F. To be sure exactly what your dog's temp is, you'll need to use a rectal thermometer.

If you are sure your dog has a fever, you'll want to make sure that fresh water is available for him. Mild dehydration can cause a fever, so this might help the situation.

You'll also want to watch for additional signs your dog isn't feeling well. Does he have a runny nose or a cough? Does he refuse to eat? Is he showing signs of nausea or vomiting? These are the kinds of things to watch for. If you notice anything else creep up, or your dog's fever is above 102 F, you'll want to call the vet right away.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog recovers quickly.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i think my dog is running a fever what do i do

-- Contributed by: casie oldenhoff

Hi Kristin,

It does sound as though your dog has gum disease. When the bacteria burrow deep enough, they can cause bone loss in the jaw and this makes the teeth loose in the sockets. I'm not sure if it's too late to save those teeth, but you should make an appointment with your vet anyway to have your dog's teeth cleaned.

The good news is that your dog can survive without teeth, but you need to take a little extra care feeding him. Soft or semi-soft foods are best because they don't require so much chewing. Additionally, you may want to add a tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin to this soft diet to help firm the stools which will be softer than they were when your dog was eating hard kibble.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a 13 year old rat terrier all his front teeth are loose and one is almost out can he survive if his front teeth fall out and can a vet save his teeth now? thank you

-- Contributed by: kristin

Hi Tony,

This would be most unusual for a five-year-old dog. Are you certain these are new teeth? A gum infection could cause the gums to swell up around the permanent teeth and cause them to look like they are just emerging.

All things considered, I think it is worth asking your vet to examine your dog's mouth, just to be sure it's healthy. Gum disease can lead to heart disease so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Best wishes that everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

HI, MY DOG IS 5YRS OLD AND SEEMS TO BE CUTTING REAR TEETH ON BOTH UPPER AND LOWER JAWS IS THIS NORMAL AS I THOUGHT THAT HE IS A LITTLE OLD AND THAT ALL THIS WOULD BE OVER AT THE JUVINILLE STAGE I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE PLEASE

-- Contributed by: TONY CRANE

Hi Miguel,

Yes, if this is just a puppy tooth, a new adult tooth will replace it within the next few months. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hello! i have a 2 months Rottweiller, accidentally broke a piece of his front tooth. Will it grow a new one since he's still a puppy?

-- Contributed by: Miguel

Hi Marsha,

It is a little odd that those first puppy teeth haven't broken through yet. Was the vet inclined to take an X-ray to see if there are any teeth beneath the gums? Do the gums even look swollen as if the teeth are trying to push through?

I understand any reluctance on your vet's part to take X-rays at this tender age, so a wait and see approach may be best at this point. I once had a slightly similar situation with a puppy that had lost his lower front milk teeth and had nothing to replace them. He had what the doggie dentist referred to as "buds" but no full teeth ever developed. Hopefully your situation will turn out better than mine did.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and do let us know if your puppy's teeth ever come in. I'm curious to hear how things turn out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my 11 week old puppy has no milk teeth on the bottom. All his 4 brothers and sisters have already had their milk teeth and are chewing well. He is chewing and eating, but uses his molars in the back. My vet said give him another month, he is a late bloomer. Should I worry?

-- Contributed by: marsha snyder

Hi Janet,

I'm sorry to hear that your dog is in such ill health. Only you and your vet can decide if there is anything more that can be done for your pet. I think you would find it helpful to schedule a consultation with your vet to see if there are any options left. If not, perhaps it would be kinder to euthanize your pet. It's a very personal decision based on the quality of your dog's life. Please take comfort in the fact that you have been very responsible about his health care and done as much as you possibly could for him. I'm sure he'd thank you if he was able.

Best wishes during this difficult time.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

12 yr old diabetic blind Jack Russell with history of cancer has been on Antirobe for 3 weeks due to periodontal disease.Sinusitus still rampant and has difficulty breathing .Vet says he is not a candidate for surgery due to compromised health .Have we reached the end ?

-- Contributed by: Janet

that is totally awsome you just saved my dog from having gum disease forever ever ever ever ever ever THANKYOU SO MUCH

-- Contributed by: anna

Hi, My beagle who is about 5 months, first tooth fell out (that I noticed at least). There is some bleeding in the area, especially when she chews on various toys the blood is transferred. I am not sure what to do, or if something is wrong Thanks

Hi Brooke,

It's not unusual to notice small amounts of blood on chew toys while your dog is shedding puppy teeth. I wouldn't worry too much. This is fairly typical and it should be over in another month or so.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Brooke

I have a minature poodle that is 16 yrs old.. I know that she has gum disease and that she is having a problem with it. We took her to her vet and he put her on an antibiotic and a diretic. She took them meds for 7 days and she was almost back to herself. Now a week later she is back to whinning and not feeling good. Do you have any sugestions/ideas on what we can do to help her?

Hi Jan,

It sounds like there may still have been some infection left that re-established itself once the round of antibiotics was over. In cases like this, a vet will normally prescribe a second round of stronger antibiotics since the first antibiotic will now be ineffective. I would call your vet right away to update him/her on the situation.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to bring the situation under control soon.

-- Contributed by: jan

Why do my puppies teeth break

Hi Peggy,

If your puppy's teeth are actually breaking, it could be a sign of some sort of mineral deficiency that has caused the teeth to form weak. I would definitely talk to your vet about the situation. By the way, are these the first set of tiny milk teeth, or have your puppy's adult teeth come in and these are what's breaking? You can expect your pup to loose those first teeth, but they should drop out completely, not break off.

If your puppy's teeth do turn out to be brittle, you'll want to avoid hard chew bones in favor of softer gummy bones that will massage the gums. This will help avoid further loss.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: peggy

I have a 17 month old boxer male and it seems that some of his adult teeth have not yet become fully exposed. Is this normal? If so how old do boxers normally need to be before the adult teeth have come in fully?

Hi Bryan,

Actually, your dog's adult teeth should all have broken through by now. I would ask your vet to X-ray your dog's gums to find out what's going on. I once had a dog that honestly didn't have any adult teeth to replace two baby teeth that came out on the front of his lower jaw. It ruined him as a show prospect, but he did make a wonderful pet anyway.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Bryan

My schnoodle puppy (Roxie) just started losing her "milk" teeth about a week ago (she's 5 months old). Since her baby teeth started falling out, her breath is a little tinny, almost smells like blood. I only feed her dry (organic) puppy food and her crunchy treats. She also has her nylabone and a puppy rawhide chew stick she loves. I brushed her teeth yesterday and she seemed to tolerate it pretty well but I want to make sure the change in her breath isn't due to problematic gums or something serious. She doesn't appear to be in any discomfort, she's eating normally and seems to be perfectly healthy. Just wondering if I should be concerned or am I just being a paranoid, 1st time puppy mom??

Hi Kellyn,

So far, I think the change is normal. Your dog is bound to loose that "puppy breath" and the tinny smell may well be due to a bit of bleeding as the teeth loosen from the gums. You doing very well to begin tooth brushing now. This will do wonders for ensuring your dog's dental health.

If the tinny smell increases significantly or you notice other symptoms that seem troublesome, don't hesitate to consult your vet.

Keep up the good work!

-- Contributed by: Kellyn

Hi my dog has teeth problems I am sure after reading several loose teeth. Pain around muzzle area yelps when pressed even with only a little pressure. I love my guy and want to get this fixed but of course costs come into play how much will this roughly cost to fix or help him I was quoted $2200.oo which in my case is my house or my dog secenario... high price? low price? reasonable?? try another vet?? let me know please

Hi Sean,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's trouble. The best advice I can give you is to call around to several area vets and get estimates. You may be able to work out a payment plan with one of them. Believe me, I hear you about the costs. Many dog lovers find themselves in this predicament. I hope you're able to work something out.

-- Contributed by: Sean

My 2 year old golden retriever has just lost his front teeth. He does get gingivitis in his back teeth, and I try to brush them. I was surprised to see the front teeth fall out. We just discoved it this weekend. We think he's lost a total of 10 teeth top and bottom. This golden is a giant and has HOD (hypertrophic osteodystrophy) among his other problems. He weighs about 120lbs but is still very skinny. I would appreciate your input on what we should do.

Hi Jeannie,

Honestly, I recommend having your vet take a look at the situation going on inside your dog's mouth. Two years old is simply too young to have lost this many teeth. There must be severe gum disease going on. My research on hypertrophic osteodystrophy doesn't indicate that tooth loss is a sypmtom of the condition, so perhaps a good tooth scaling and an antibiotic can route the infection and help preserve the teeth your dog has left.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope your vet is able to help your dog.

-- Contributed by: Jeannie

Hi, my 2 year old female boxer started grinding her teeth at night about a year ago, nothing to bad, I asked the Vet she said she has never heard of it before and her mouth looked fine. Since then it has gotten worse, it is happens anytime she lies down. I was wondering if I should be worried or if this was a common thing in Boxer.

Hi Jill,

I haven't heard of this behavior being specifically associated with Boxers. I think it would be worth it to have your vet take another look. The grinding may be beginning to wear your dog's teeth down by now.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know if your vet finds a cause for the grinding.

-- Contributed by: Jill

how often shud u brush a dogs teeth im planning 2 get a small 4week puppy

Hi Prena,

First, don't get a four week old puppy. That puppy needs to stay with its mom for at least a full eight weeks. Puppies shouldn't even begin weaning until they are six weeks old.

Second, you should brush the teeth once a week at the minimum. Be careful not to press to hard or you could damage the gums.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: prerna

Hello,

I have a 18 month female husky that loves the chew....anything! She has a great set of teeth, but recently broke one of her smaller upper canines, and cracked an incisor. Will these teeth grow back? Do you have any advice? I presume we should stop giving her cooked bones?

Many thanks,

Hi Murdoch,

Broken adult teeth do not grow back, and damaged ones need to be removed so the gums don't become infected. If this happens, the nerve will become infected and cause your dog severe pain.

The best thing you can do is make an appointment with your vet to have the teeth looked at. And yes, I would refrain from offereing cooked bones from now on and opt for a softer chew toy like a Booda Bone or a Kong.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Murdoch

8 yr old minature poodle has begun to scratch her mouth on the sides and under the chin, is this a tooth problem

Expert Reply

Hi Jill,

Open your bitch's mouth and take a look at her gums. Gum disease usually presents as red swollen gums. You will likely find tarter along the gum line with this condition, as well as a foul odor to the breath. Severe gum disease leads to tooth loss, so look for missing teeth or loose teeth that you can wiggle. If you see these signs, then your dog probably may well have gum disease.

Some allergies also surface as facial itching, especially food related allergies.

All things considered, it's probably a good idea to let your vet take a look at your dog to try to determine if anything serious is going on. If it is gum disease, your vet can anesthetize your bitch and do a deep cleaning in the pockets around the teeth. This can help reverse the situation, but it will require follow up tooth brushing on your part to prevent the gums from beginning infected again.

Thank you for your question, and I hope you find this info helpful.

-- Contributed by: jill harrold

I brush my Pugs teeth but she still has very bad breath. Anything you can recommend?

Expert Reply

Hi Bonnie,

Persistent bad breath can be a sign of an infection below the gumline. It can also be caused by what your dog eats. My advice would be to schedule a full cleaning with your vet. After that, you can ask your vet for an opinion if your dog's mouth still smells bad. Sometimes and underlying medical condition can be the cause of foul breath.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the cleaning does the trick.

-- Contributed by: Bonnie

Hi Tammy,

Yes, Your Vizsla really ought to be finished teething by now. I think that this may be a habit held over from pupphood. Did you allow her to gnaw on your hands from the beginning? If so, it's time to teach her to stop. I realize she's not hurting you, but she needs to learn there is a boundary.

Here's what I suggest. Every time she takes your hand in her mouth, remove your hand immediately, wrap it around her muzzle firmly and give her a firm "NO". You don't have to squeeze hard, just apply enough pressure so she knows you mean business.

Have all household members repeat this correction every time she does it without exception. If everyone is consistent she should train very quickly.

Paw chewing is actually a different problem. Sometimes this can become a habit that leads to sores. Keep an eye on her and give her a firm "NO" when she puts her paw in her mouth. You might also want to distract her at these times with one of her other chew toys. If you find the chewing difficult to break you can get a spray product called Bitter Apple to apply to her paws. Most dogs hate the flavor and will try to avoid it.

I hope you find these suggestions useful!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi! We have a 13 month old Vizsla dog named Libby. We are wondering if dogs are done teething by this age, because she seemed bothered by her mouth and continually wants our hands in her mouth. She doesn't bite hard, but just gnaws. We always make sure she has alot of toys to chew on. She also likes to chew on her paws. She never breaks her skin. We were just looking online to see if there were any answers......... Thanks!

-- Contributed by: Tammy
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