Signs of a Fractured Tooth in Your Pet
Just like humans, dogs and cats can sometimes fracture or break their teeth. This shouldn’t be surprising when you think about all the things that pets chew, and as you might expect, they sometimes break their teeth when chewing on hard objects like crates, bones, rocks, or metal. Sometimes, though, there are other causes for fractured teeth. Dogs break their teeth on hard treats, and both dogs and cats can suffer broken teeth from a facial trauma.
How do you know if your pet has a fractured tooth? There are several signs to notice:
- Pain
- Reacting negatively when the mouth or tooth is touched
- Drooling
- Having trouble eating
- Abnormal chewing, perhaps only on one side of the mouth
- Anorexia
- Refusing to eat hard food or hard treats
- Bloody saliva
- Facial swelling
- Unusual irritability
Some pets, however, may not show any signs at all, but may hide the pain and eat normally. If you suspect your pet has a fractured tooth, the best thing to do is take him to the vet. Your vet will be able to do a full examination and assess the extent of damage to the tooth. During this exam, the vet will determine if the roots or pulp are involved and will likely recommend x-rays to get a good look at the tooth’s structure.
The way a fractured tooth is treated depends largely on the extent of the damage. Not all broken teeth need treatment and determining which part of the tooth is damaged is a major factor in assessing what to do next. If the pulp cavity is not affected, the veterinarian may decide to file the rough edges of the tooth down, or maybe just monitor it. If the injury is more complicated, it may require a root canal or extraction.
If you suspect your pet has a fractured tooth, it’s important to see a vet as soon as possible, to avoid the development of any complications. If you’re looking for a vet in the San Jose area, you can trust Reed Animal Hospital to treat your pets as if they were our own. Our goal is to help you and your pet enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life together, and in pursuit of that goal, our extraordinary team offers a wide range of services. We’ve got veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and receptionists, all prepared to help you and your pet, and we even offer referrals to specialty surgeons, many of whom will travel to our office to consult with your pet. For more information or to make an appointment, call us in Campbell at 408. 369. 1788, or in Saratoga at 408.647.2906, or contact us through our website.