Something weird just happened… I was playing fetch with Luna this afternoon, and I noticed she was acting a bit off. I thought she was just tired, but when she yawned, I saw that one of her big teeth has a chip, and it looks like the nerve might be showing. She isn’t whining or anything, but she's drooling more than usual and keeps licking her nose. It’s stressing me out because I don’t know if she's in pain. What should I do? Is this an emergency or can it wait until our vet appointment next week? I’m just really worried about my girl. Any advice would be amazing!
I completely understand why you're worried about your dog's tooth. When a canine tooth chips and exposes the nerve ending, it can be quite painful for your furry friend and may lead to further complications like infections.
The tooth's nerve is extremely sensitive, and when exposed, it can cause significant discomfort. You might notice your dog drooling more than usual, pawing at their mouth, reluctance to eat, or even a change in behavior—possibly appearing more irritable.
At home, try to keep your dog's mouth clean. Offer soft foods to avoid further damage or discomfort, and ensure they have access to plenty of water. It's important to avoid giving anything hard or crunchy that could aggravate the area.
Watch for any signs of infection, like swelling around the mouth, noticeable bad breath, or excessive bleeding. These could indicate a more serious issue that needs immediate attention.
While these at-home tips can help manage your dog's comfort in the short term, a chipped tooth with an exposed nerve should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible to prevent infection or more severe dental issues. I recommend booking a video consult with us at Dial A Vet so we can take a closer look and guide you on the next steps.
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