What To Do If My Puppy Broke Its Tooth

Puppies are naturally curious and rambunctious. They tend to get into everything and want to use their sharp little teeth as often as possible. Unfortunately, that might mean a destroyed pair of shoes. But, if your pup chews on something too hard, it could end up damaging or breaking a tooth! 

What should you do if that happens? 

puppy broke its tooth
What do do if your puppy broke its tooth?

If your puppy’s tooth breaks, get them to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. If it is broken and doesn’t fully come out, it can decay and cause them extreme pain. If the broken tooth has pulp that is exposed, the nerves and vessels of the tooth are also exposed, adding even more pain. 

Depending on the severity of the broken tooth, the vet may not be able to do anything. If the pulp is exposed the tooth may need to be removed or can be filed down. 

Sometimes it is hard to know if your puppy has a broken tooth, but there are several symptoms to look out for, including

  • Extra saliva
  • Bleeding in/around the mouth
  • Red or puffy gums
  • Chewing on one side of the mouth
  • Yellow or white fluid around the afflicted tooth 

Puppies don’t always get the best oral care, which can make it easier for their teeth to break. You can reduce that risk by avoiding an all-dry food diet.

Brushing their teeth regularly can also help. But, if that isn’t possible, try giving them harder treats to chew on or some beef bones to reduce plaque build-up. Also, many dog treats are good for your puppy’s teeth. If you can’t get dental treats, try making your own.

checking a dogs teeth for gum issues
Check your dogs teeth for stuck food, build ups or inflammation

10 Top Tips To Prevent Puppies Teeth From Breaking:

There are several things you can do to help your puppy improve its oral hygiene and prevent its teeth from breaking! Let’s cover a few helpful tips you can start putting into practice right away. 

1. Make sure they have toys to gnaw on so their teeth will wear down. Toys made of soft rubber or silicone tend to be better, since they’re gentler on the mouth.

2. Limit the number of hard bones they chew on but don’t worry about softer bones. They can be great for helping your dog clean its mouth. Feed them bones that are broken up into small pieces, which will make the chewing process go faster while keeping them occupied.

3. Give them lots of opportunities to drink from fresh streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds, where they can chew on small pebbles without hurting their mouths.

4. Make sure you keep your dog’s teeth clean by brushing them with toothpaste and using a toothbrush at least twice a week. You can brush their teeth every day, but it can be a little daunting. 

5. Don’t worry about “dog breath”. In most cases, it’s perfectly normal. But, if their breath is extremely bad or smells “rotten,” it could mean there is something else wrong with your puppy’s teeth.

Make sure to use pet toothpaste designed for dogs that contains fluoride for good oral hygiene. Animal toothpaste is especially important because it has been formulated specifically to fight off the bacteria and plaque that could lead to bad breath, cavities, and other oral health problems in your dog.

6. Provide them with special dental treats, specifically formulated to clean teeth.

7. Visit a special dog dentist for professional cleanings if needed. Not all veterinarians take care of dental work on dogs, so it is important to find one that specializes in teeth.

8. Get them used to the idea of an annual trip to the vet when they are young. When you take them in annually they can go through x-rays, cleanings, and the dentist can determine if there are any problems you should be concerned about.

9. If you’re not sure about something, ask your vet! You don’t have to wait until your puppy is in extreme pain to contact the vet or make an emergency visit. 

10. Get them used to having their mouth handled as a pup. This means playing with the mouth, massaging it, and petting it. These practices will get them used to being handled, and will also help you be aware of if a tooth is bothering them or if one is broken!

brushing helps prevent dog gum disease
Brushing a dog’s teeth helps prevent gum disease

Keep Your Dog Smiling

Puppies are adorable, but they need a lot of care. It’s easy to ignore their oral health when they need attention elsewhere, but make it a priority. They won’t be able to chew on things like bones or chew toys if they don’t have strong, healthy teeth.

Remember, it’s not uncommon for puppies’ teeth to fall out on their own as new “adult” teeth come in. That’s different from a break, but it’s still important to take a look at those teeth to make sure they aren’t bleeding or damaged. When your puppy starts to lose its teeth naturally, its gums will be swollen and sore, so pay extra attention to their oral care and give them a few extra frozen treats to ease its pain.

If you want your puppy to thrive as they grow older, it is imperative that you start taking good care of their teeth now. Doing the small things each week can make a huge difference for your puppy in the long run and prevent your puppy from breaking its teeth now, and as it gets older.