Don’t Ignore Your Pet’s Broken Teeth

One of the benefits of taking your pet to your veterinarian is that he or she will perform a full exam each time. Pets don’t have the ability to verbally communicate in the same way that we do and therefore can’t let us know when they are not feeling well. Because your veterinarian completes a full exam he or she will be able to detect many of the problems that your pet may be hiding from you. One of the most common of these problems is broken teeth. Broken teeth are a cause of serious health issues, not the least of which is a source of chronic pain. I will address those health concerns and give you the information you need to get your pet the help it needs.

Pets hide their illnesses:

Because your pet is very good at hiding its problems even very painful teeth will go unnoticed. In the wild if animals show signs of illness they become targets for predators and I believe that they are still hard wired for that behavior. Most clients are surprised when I show them damaged teeth most comment similar to this “Well it doesn’t stop him from eating”. Even with a painful tooth you pet will usually keep eating well. I put up with a tooth ache for six months before I told anyone, so an animal will be able to put up with it much longer.

Damaged teeth serve as a source of bacteria to infect other organs:

In addition to chronic pain, broken teeth are a portal in which oral bacteria will be able to enter the body and infect other organs. Even though the surfaces of the teeth are hard they have highly vascular pulp cavities and as such will very effectively transfer bacteria from an involved tooth to areas distant to the mouth. The involved organs include but are not limited to the heart, brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Treatment for a fractured tooth:

Generally two options are available. The best option is a root canal. The great advantage to a root canal is that it saves the tooth.

The second option is extracting the tooth. The disadvantage with extraction is that the pet no longer has use of that tooth; it is however, usually cheaper than a root canal.

No matter what you chose act now:

Your veterinarian can advise you on what option is best for you and your pet and how to maintain good oral health. No matter what option you choose, please act right away. By the time the problem has been identified your dog or cat has usually been suffering for a while with the pain, and may already have bacterial infections in important internal organs.


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