The panging sensation of a toothache is one familiar to many of us, and it’s one we wish to keep our puppies from experiencing if possible—especially since our canine besties derive so much joy from chewing and exploring the world with their mouths (and noses).
Dogs do feel dental pain. However, the source of their dental pain isn’t usually the same as ours. The most common dental condition in humans is tooth decay (cavities). While young dogs can get tooth decay, it’s not very common, comprising less than 10% of dental problems in man’s best friend. Instead, dogs tend to develop periodontal disease (inflammation of the tissues around the teeth) and/or fractured teeth.
Periodontal disease is painful for dogs, although they sometimes don’t show outward signs of pain. The gums become inflamed and swell. You may notice redness along the gum margin of the affected tooth or teeth. Untreated, deep pockets will develop between the tooth and gums, allowing for deep infection. This infection results in bone loss in the tooth socket. The affected tooth may eventually fall out. Periodontal disease affects over 80% of dogs over 3 years old. The earlier you start on preventing this condition, the better your pet’s lifelong oral health will be.
Fractured teeth most commonly occur in dogs who chew on hard objects (like bones) or who experience external trauma (such as being hit by a car). Small chip fractures in the tooth’s enamel can cause sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure. But fractures that expose the pulp (soft tissue inside the tooth with nerves and blood vessels) can be extremely painful. Bacteria may invade the exposed pulp and infiltrate the root canal, creating a local infection that is also painful.
Some dogs are stoic and hide their dental pain very well, but signs you may notice include:
- Difficulty eating and dropping food
- Disinterest in eating
- Pawing at the mouth
- Head shaking
- Chattering the jaw
- Excessive drooling
Most causes of toothaches in young dogs will require professional dental intervention, along with prescribed pain medications. Your VCA care team will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your puppy’s dental disease so they can continue enjoying tug-of-war and chewing their favorite toys.
Think you may see a broken tooth in your dog’s mouth? Find out more about fractured teeth in dogs.
