How To Pull A Dog’s Rotten Tooth? [Signs, Causes & Prevention]

You should not, under any circumstances, try to pull out your dog’s tooth even if it appears rotten. Dogs do not have the same type of tooth root as humans. Some ends of their teeth go up to their nasal area. So you should never try it on your own and must take your dog to a vet for extraction.

As dogs grow up, they also lose their baby teeth, much like human babies. But sometimes, young or grown dogs end up with hanging, broken, or decayed teeth. So, is it a good idea to pull the tooth out? If you want to know how to pull a dog’s rotten tooth, here is our answer.

Dogs with decaying or rotten teeth can suffer from various other issues, including severe infection. So it is not wise to handle any such issue at home. You will find more on the dog’s dental issues and symptoms in today’s article.

Related Reading: Do You Really Need To Brush Dog’s Teeth?

Causes Of Dog’s Dental Issues

So, why do dogs have dental issues? Here are some causes that will help you understand and stay cautious in the future.

Poor Oral Hygiene

One of the most common causes that lead to tooth decay is poor oral hygiene of the dog. Since dogs know nothing about oral hygiene, it is the owner’s job to follow everything necessary. Yet, some owners think dogs do not have dental cleanliness and ignorance becomes the root of what comes next.

Unhealthy Food

Dogs can eat almost everything. And their food habits can make their dental health decline over time, which can be sooner than expected. 

Bacterial Attack

Different circumstances cause bacteria to grow and attack various parts of the teeth, such as the enamel, the hard part, and the outer layers of the teeth. Bacteria accumulate around the area and often decay the tooth from the inside. And over time, the decay grows and can rot if left untreated.

Underlying Health Issues

It is not uncommon for animals to have underlying health issues as it is hard to figure out everything inside them. Diseases like heart, lung, or kidney problems can cause other severe health issues, including rotten teeth.

Signs Of Dog’s Rotten Teeth: 4 Stages

Now, how do you know that the issue is critical and the tooth is rotten? There are four different stages of a rotting tooth. Here is how you can recognize the signs of a rotten tooth.

Stage 1: Gum Inflammation

When the harmful bacteria show up and start building up, they cause gum inflammation. Other than the swelling, you may also notice a thin line right on the gum. 

Stage 2: Bone Loose

This stage is referred to as periodontitis. After the swelling worsens, a tiny section of the tooth comes loose. You will also notice that your dog’s breath stinks and the dog’s mouth has visible tartar.

Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis

Just because it says “moderate” does not mean it is still easily treatable. At this point, you will notice more tooth loss, which is around 50%. Your dog will suffer from gum bleeding and partially open gum. This will cause the tooth to rot further and can cause severe infection if you do not take the dog to the vet immediately.

Stage 4: Chronic Periodontitis

The final stage is the worst because the dog will be in unbearable pain due to the rotten tooth and the infection, which has badly spread. It may have started with one tooth. But you will notice that the same signs are showing on the nearby teeth of the infected one. This is a dangerous stage because this infection can now spread in the body through the bloodstream.

How To Prevent Dog’s Rotten Teeth Problems?

Yes, you wanted to know how to pull a dog’s rotten tooth. But let me remind you once more that it isn’t your job to pull out any loose or rotten teeth of your dog. The best thing you can do is prevent loose or rotten teeth issues.

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Poor dental or oral hygiene is never good, even for humans. You can try brushing your dog’s teeth from time to time. You should also watch the food habits of the dog as some food is not suitable for the dog’s dental health.

2. Remove Decayed Tooth

It is best to take your dog to a vet as soon as you notice anything abnormal. If the issue is treated or removed early, it can prevent rotting.

3. Provide a Suitable Chewing Toy

If regular brushing is not an easy option, you can give your dog some soft chewing toys. There are chewing toys designed specially to improve dental health. 

4. Regular Dental Checkups

The easiest way to keep your dog’s dental health in check is to maintain regular checkups with the vet. If there is an issue, the vet can tell you that immediately and prescribe medicine accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much does it cost to extract a dog’s tooth? 

The cost of tooth extraction can be around $200 or more. The cost depends on the type of dental issue your dog is suffering from and if the dog has any underlying health problems.

Q. How common is dental disease in dogs?

Dental issues are more common in dogs than you think. Around 80% of dogs go through active dental issues from age three. Periodontal disease and fractured teeth are two common issues vets come across.

Q. How long does it take a dog to recover from a tooth extraction?

The recovery time depends on how severe the infection is and the dog’s physical condition. Nevertheless, it can take 12 to 24 hours for your dog to recover fully from the anesthesia and at least two weeks to heal. However, the vet may ask for follow-ups after a few weeks to check on the recovery progress.

Final Thoughts

While some dental issues are mild, others can worsen if not treated in time. If you notice swollen or bloodied gum in your dog’s mouth, you should immediately take the dog to the vet.

To prevent severe dental problems, you can ask the vet to provide a healthy diet chart for your dog. And whatever you do, do not perform any tooth extraction at home as all dental issues require professional checkups.

Related Reading: 10 Reasons Why Your Dog’s Teeth Chatter