Your Dog’s Misaligned Teeth
When you got your dog, did you ever believe that you would be discussing your dog’s teeth? Well, some dogs have a misalignment or commonly know as malocclusion, meaning that the bite does not fit right. This condition usually get is worse as the dog gets older.
Puppies have very sharp teeth and by the time they are 6 months old, they will have about 28 teeth. Into adulthood, your dog will have 42 teeth. Puppies are notorious for those sharp pointy teeth so it is best to monitor your small child’s playtime with the puppy to avoid any accidents.
This condition has minimal risks to your dog but can cause some discomfort and infection if it is a severe case. Usually malocclusion affects the dog’s ability to chew or pick up the food. Causes of this disorder are mouth injuries and wear on the teeth.
While there are many breeds with this affliction naturally, the overbite and underbite are the most common malocclusion. Most dogs seem to be unaffected by this problem. The scissor bite is also most common, except in the flat nose breeds.
The scissor bite is not something that you will find in all dogs. Boxers, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos are some of the most common of the flat nose breed. Something you need to know when you are purchasing a purebred dog from this family.
It is not uncommon for puppies to be born with gaps in their teeth. These gaps will usually correct themselves as the puppy gets older and his adult teeth come in. If the problem does not correct by around the 10-month mark, it likely will not correct itself.
When adult teeth start coming in, this can cause the condition to worsen. Damage to the soft part of the mouth can occur and your vet might need to intervene. All your vet would need to do is extract a tooth or two to correct the problem.
You may want to consult a specialist for those severe cases. I bet you never thought you would hear this; yes in recent years, braces are being made for puppies to help in the realignment of their teeth. What will they think of next, doggy contacts to change their eye color?
I do certainly feel that we are responsible for making our pet’s life a good one. Be diligent in the care of your dog. Regular checkups and vaccinations can increase the life of your dog and keep them healthy and happy.
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