Does your dog have bad breath? Or maybe you notice your dog chewing on one side more than the other. These might be signs of a canine tooth impacted.
Your dog’s teeth never stop growing, and their gums never stop producing new tissue. As a result, his teeth are always shifting. Ears and tails, too, which are bones, are always moving.
If these shifts or growth get stuck, the resulting changes leave your dog in pain. More importantly, these signs could also lead to infections or, worse, euthanasia, and it’s critical to know what to look for.
Keep reading below for a list of commonly impacted canine tooth symptoms to watch for in your dog.
1. Inflamed and Bleeding Gums
Inflamed and bleeding gums can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, medications, and mouth trauma. One of the signs of an impacted canine tooth is inflamed and bleeding gums.
An impacted tooth is when a tooth is prevented from erupting or is blocked from emerging by overlying tissues. This can cause damage to the underlying gum tissue, resulting in inflammation and bleeding.
An impacted canine tooth may also cause tenderness or pain in the gum tissues and nearby facial structures. Visible signs may include discoloration, swelling, and pockets in the gums and around the impacted tooth.
If left unchecked, the inflammation can worsen and lead to infection, receding gums, and eventually to abscess and tooth decay. It is important to seek treatment from a qualified dentist or surgeon if you suspect that you may have an impacted tooth to prevent further complications and tissue damage.
2. Pain When Chewing or Biting
Signs of an impacted canine tooth pain when chewing or biting can occur when a tooth is blocked from erupting into the mouth. This can be due to the position of the tooth, lack of available space, or improper enamel formation.
Common signs that can indicate this type of pain include increased sensitivity to the impacted tooth or surrounding teeth, as well as sharp or dull pain when biting or chewing food.
If the impacted tooth is the cause of the pain, the discomfort usually increases with pressure or temperature changes in the affected area. In some cases, the person may have a noticeable gap in their teeth, discoloration, localized swelling, or may even feel a crackling sensation around the affected area.
In severe cases, an abscess can form, causing severe pain and swelling. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit a dentist or oral surgeon to determine the root cause.
3. Pain and Difficulties When Opening the Mouth
Pain and difficulties when opening the mouth can be a sign of an impacted canine tooth. The canine tooth, also known as an eye tooth, is the longest tooth in the mouth and the third-most common tooth to be impacted.
If the canine tooth is impacted, it is usually due to a lack of space in the jaw in which to grow. Because of this, the tooth pushes on the surrounding teeth causing pain and difficulty opening the mouth.
In extreme cases, the impacted canines can damage the adjacent teeth, the jawbone, and the mucosa in the mouth. Unaddressed, the problem can worsen and cause more extreme medical issues such as chronic pain and speech problems. With proper diagnosis and treatment, however, the pain and difficulty opening the mouth can be reversed.
4. Bad Breath
Bad breath is usually a sign of something more serious. An impacted canine tooth is one of the main causes of bad breath. This occurs when the canine tooth doesn’t fully erupt from the gums, usually due to misalignment or overcrowding.
When the canine becomes impacted, it produces bacteria that cause bad breath. In addition, impacted canine teeth can lead to other serious oral health problems, such as food impaction, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Therefore, if you have bad breath and an impacted canine tooth, it is essential to see a dentist as soon as possible in order to prevent any further damage.
5. Headaches
Headaches can sometimes be caused by an impacted canine tooth. These teeth are the longest in the mouth and often have difficulty erupting all the way. If the tooth fails to align correctly, it can cause irritation and inflammation of the area which can result in facial headaches or headaches in the side of the face.
In addition, these impacted teeth can cause headaches in other areas of the head. Tension headaches can arise due to jaw misalignment and muscle strain created by the canine tooth.
Dental headaches along the jawline can also be present. It is imperative that the impacted canine tooth is diagnosed and treated correctly in order to prevent the headaches from continuing. Treatment may include alignment, extraction, or, in some cases, surgery. Speak to your dentist for further advice and treatment.
6. Bad Taste in the Mouth
An impacted canine tooth can cause a bad taste in the mouth, which can be very unpleasant. This type of impact can occur when a person’s tooth is trapped in its growth path, usually when it does not fully erupt into its normal position and gets stuck in the gum or bone.
It can cause pain and discomfort, as well as an unpleasant taste in the mouth due to food particles getting stuck around the impact. A full set of X-rays should be taken to determine if tooth impaction is to blame for the bad taste in the mouth.
The only way to correct this issue is for the canine to have a tooth extraction and replace it with an implant or bridge. Treatment of impacted canine teeth is important to prevent any further complications, such as a bad taste in the mouth.
Learn the Signs of Impacted Canine Tooth
An impacted canine tooth can lead to long-term dental problems if left untreated. If you or your child experiences any of the signs, such as swelling, inflammation, overcrowding, or protrusion of the tooth, it is important to contact your dentist right away.
Don’t delay. Speak with your dentist about the signs of an impacted canine tooth today.
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