Fractured teeth are common in our pets, especially in dogs. The most common causes are blunt trauma or damage from chew toys, such as animal bones, antlers or hooves; nylon bones or, a new addition to the list, slabs of hardened yak’s milk.
Most fractures are deep enough to expose the sensitive part of the tooth, the pulp, and cause one doozy of a toothache. Many pets are too stoic to show signs of the pain, while an untreated tooth fracture leads to infection or death of the tooth.
Sometimes plaque will cover a tooth fracture, but the damage is visible on dental X-rays or once the teeth are cleaned. If the pulp is exposed, the only two options to relieve pain are a root canal or tooth extraction.
Regularly scheduled dentist visits will detect tooth fractures and relieve those festering toothaches. Your pet will thank you for it.