I have taken the dog in since she was three, they tell me every time there are a couple of wiggley teeth, I tell them to leave them, then the next time it is two different teeth? If I let them pull a couple each time the dog would have no teeth, but the pics they take show a row of good teeth?
2014-01-26T08:50:07Z
The dog is ten years old, goes to the vet for cleaning annually, they always tell me a couple of wiggly teeth, how do they get better or is there no problem ?
They obviously are not decayed and no abcess, they don't tell me periodontial disease, I tell them to leave them, dog has no obvious problems and the pics they take show teeth that look fine.
?2014-01-26T08:57:55Z
Favorite Answer
Our vets are very conservative with the mouth. Sometimes a tooth or two will come out just from the cleaning process, and that's okay. Sometimes the only thing holding the teeth in is tartar, but doesn't seem to be the case with your dog.
The teeth help hold the tongue inside the mouth, and if they are slightly loose, then your dog most likely uses them at least a little. If your dog isn't in pain, there's no dental disease, then I bet our vets would leave them, as you suggest.
I know you'd be there, if your dog begins to have problems. One thing to consider, though, is that your dog would require an extra sedation/anesthesia, etc if the teeth had to come out. Getting them out during the routine dental would make fewer times put under anesthesia, which may be a definite plus.
We have found that dogs do well without their teeth. Some of them even manage to eat hard kibble! The appearance chances, due to the tongue hanging out all the time, though.
You might want to call your vet and ask about the pros and cons of leaving the teeth or pulling them. If they are the little front ones, those are simple to remove. The back ones require more work, and the risk of breaking the jaw is there, especially if they are firmly in place.
Do call and discuss it. Maybe your vet is merely making an observation and not actually recommending removal. Our vets will usually say, "This tooth needs to come out." if it does.
You do need to listen to your vet. You are worried about your dog having no teeth left. If the teeth are loose, they will eventually break off and fall out anyway, but it will cause your dog more pain if that happens. It's better to do what your vet says and get whatever teeth need to be pulled out done right away, the right way. If you take your dog in annually for a dental, his or her teeth should not be getting loose that easily. If they are loose, I'm sure that causes your dog even more pain when he or she tries to eat or bite into something. Telling your vet to leave them is only going to cause your dog more problems and more pain later on.
I'm going to say you have to considered this from two angles - something physical affecting her ability to wag her rear end, in which case a vet visit should confirm whether or not she's okay. Secondly it's really too early to be panicking about what might be going on, temperament-wise. She's only a baby. Just go with her, once you've ruled out anything physical going on. Is this a full tail? If so, it's probably a good job she's not overly waggy!! Full tails on the normal enthusiastic Boxer can potentially be a problem and may result in injury - amputation.
For the best dental health in your dog you need to brush her teeth just like you do your own BUT with special doggy toothpaste. If this is not tolerated by your dog there are gels & additives to add to drinking water that will help. http://www.healthymouth.com/category_s/42.htm The easiest way is to give your dog an appropriately sized piece of chicken. You want the dog to chew up the chicken not swallow it whole. This acts as dental floss & keeps the teeth healthy. It is part of the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods diet; http://barf-diet.co.uk/ http://www.ukbarfclub.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=30 Do some more research if you are interested & your dog will have great teeth at her next check up.
I think I'd get another opinion and then get the worst of these teeth extracted. There has to be some gum disease going on, I'd suggest, for the dog to have loose teeth and eventually they will need treating. Better now, before he gets any older and cannot be given a general anaesthetic? If they are that bad - or is your vet just after money I wonder?