Your dog broke a tooth-what do you do? Is a broken dog tooth an emergency?

If you realize your dog has broken a tooth, you don't need to panic, but it is important to seek dental care as soon as possible to avoid any further issues or complications with their tooth or overall dental health. Broken teeth are a very common problem in dogs, who will chew on just about anything. Broken teeth can come from chewing on hard objects or trauma such as rough play, or catching hard objects thrown at them. While all broken teeth should be assessed by a veterinarian, some fractures are painful and need to be treated sooner. Read on to learn more about chipped and broken teeth in dogs.

Chipped Teeth in Dogs

Dogs most commonly chip or break their canine teeth (fangs) and their maxillary fourth premolars, the large upper chewing teeth in the back of their mouth. The front canine teeth can break from rough play such as tug of war, catching hard objects while playing fetch, or pulling heavy objects with their mouths. The larger back chewing teeth can break from chewing on hard objects, such as chew toys, antlers, real bones, ice, antlers, or cow hooves. To avoid broken teeth, give your dog softer chew toys and treats.

Every time you take your pet to the veterinarian, make sure they check your pet's teeth for any chipped or broken teeth. Broken teeth can sometimes be hard to see, especially in the back of the mouth. As soon as you notice a broken tooth in your dog's mouth, you should make an appointment for your pet to be seen as soon as possible to treat the problem.

Options for Treating Broken Teeth

Depending on the severity of the broken tooth, your veterinarian may choose to treat the problem in a number of different ways. If there is exposed dentin (the part of the tooth under the enamel layer), it is a more superficial wound and should be checked thoroughly to avoid any overlooked signs of damage or decay before the fracture site can be sealed and smoothed.

If your dog's broken tooth has an exposed pulp chamber, the damage can be more severe. Your veterinarian may choose to perform root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy (occasionally used for very recent fractures), or extraction to treat a broken tooth with an exposed pulp chamber.

Contact Us

While a broken tooth isn't an extreme emergency, you should try and get your dog to a veterinarian with dentistry services as soon as possible once you notice they have a broken tooth in order to avoid any further damage.
If your dog has a broken tooth, call Animal Care Center of Castle Pines at (303) 688-3660 or visit our website to schedule an appointment today. With the right treatment from our dedicated veterinarians, your dog can make a full recovery.