Chipped, Broken, and Fractured Teeth In Dogs

Dogs chew to relieve stress, care for their teeth, and explore the world around them. It’s not uncommon for them to suffer chipped, broken, or fractured teeth when they chew hard objects. Sometimes it’s obvious - your dog will suddenly stop chewing their toy, and you may see some blood - but dental fractures often go unnoticed until their next wellness exam. Here’s what you should know about broken teeth in dogs to protect your dog’s smile.

What Causes Fractured Teeth in Dogs?

Chips, fractures, and breaks mostly occur on the top canines, those large, pointy teeth, or any of the four carnassial tooth, which are large teeth near the back of the mouth. These teeth can break if your dog chews on an especially hard object like an elk antler, rock, marrow bone, cow hoof, or even a hard plastic toy bone. Dogs can also break their teeth if they chew on a wire-sided crate or in the event of trauma, e.g. a car accident.

Your dog’s teeth are made up of four components. The protective outer layer is called the enamel. The enamel is the hardest part of the tooth, and it’s also the hardest part of your dog’s whole body. Under the gumline, the cementum protects the root of the tooth and helps keep it in place. Beneath the enamel is the dentin, hard, living tissue made up of tubes that connect to the pulp. The pulp is the innermost part. It contains nerves and blood vessels.

Symptoms of Dental Fractures in Dogs

In some cases, you’ll notice an obvious change in the appearance of your dog’s tooth. You might notice blood, drooling, or swelling at the affected area. Sometimes, though, you might not realize your dog has a broken tooth until you investigate their mouth after noticing symptoms like reluctance to eat, dropping food or toys, avoiding drinking cold water, or shying away when their face is touched.

Though dental fractures are usually painful, not all dogs show obvious signs when they’re in pain. That’s why it’s important to brush your dog’s teeth regularly, that way you’ll notice when something's wrong.

How is A Fractured Tooth In Dogs Treated?

With an uncomplicated crown fracture, the crown, or the part of the tooth that you can see, will have a chipped enamel with an exposed dentin. The dentin connects to the nerve tissue in the pulp, so the tooth will become sensitive to pressure, heat, and cold. Your veterinarian may use an x-ray to determine the severity of the fracture. In some cases, the tooth will not require immediate treatment, and your vet may recommend future follow-ups to keep an eye on it. They may use a dental sealant to protect the exposed dentin.

A complicated crown fracture is more severe. In this case, the enamel and the dentin have cracked, and the pink or red pulp may be visible. The delicate pulp is now vulnerable to infection. Without treatment, the tooth will almost certain become extremely painful and infected in a short period of time. Dogs do not always show obvious signs of dental pain, but they will still need treatment.

Without treatment, an infection can take hold quickly, and can spread to the root of the tooth below the gumline, and may further spread to the jaw, causing a bone and/or tissue infection. There may be facial swelling, and if an upper tooth is affected, it can even spread to the eye, possibly resulting in loss of vision.

Keep in mind that even in puppies who still have their primary teeth, a broken tooth must be treated to avoid pain, infection, and complications that can affect development of permanent teeth.

A tooth affected by a complicated crown fracture can be removed, or it can undergo a root canal. A root canal can save an essential tooth from extraction. The veterinary oral surgeon removes the pulp inside the tooth, then fills and reseals it with a permanent filling. If the tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be extracted. Fortunately, even dogs missing essential teeth usually recover quickly, and often have no trouble chewing their normal diet.

Prevent Fractured Teeth in Dogs

Providing your dog with long-lasting chew treats and toys helps keep their teeth clean and healthy, but few are without risks. Any bone or chew can cause gastric perforation if large or sharp parts are swallowed, and choking can occur if the dog attempts to swallow a big chunk. And of course, hard chews can result in fractured teeth.

Choose your dog’s chews carefully, and always supervise them while they enjoy a long-lasting treat. Look for vet-recommended dental chew treats like Greenies, C.E.T products like VeggieDent, or Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste Chews. They are made entirely of digestible ingredients that break down slowly when they come in contact with your dog’s saliva, so they’re unlikely to cause fractures, even in vigorous chewers.

Your dog’s chew toys and dental treats should be soft. Some vets say you should be able to make an indent in the surface with your fingernail, others say it shouldn’t hurt if you were hit in the kneecap with it. Keep in mind that there is no perfect product for every dog. No matter which you try, always supervise your dog to make sure they are gradually breaking down their chew, rather than taking big, overzealous bites.

Chews should be used alongside other methods like brushing, water additives, and/or wipes as part of an at-home dental routine. Schedule yearly dental cleanings as recommended by your veterinarian. Strong, healthy teeth are less likely to suffer fractures, chips, and decay.