My dog's front teeth are worn down to the gums. Is she in pain?

She definitely has some wear on those teeth - often that particular pattern is caused by chewing tennis balls a lot or being really itchy and chewing at the skin a lot. The only way to know if the teeth are healthy is a dental x-ray and exam under anesthesia, so I can't say for sure if it's an issue or not. With a dental x-ray, her vet can look at the tooth roots and also make sure the gingiva is healthy. This is definitely not an emergency, but I would recommend bringing it up at her next appointment.

Hi there and thank you for your post! From the pictures you provided, there is definitely some severe attrition (dental wearing) occurring throughout Judge's mouth. I see many dogs with worn teeth and most of the time, there are no issues with the worn teeth other than the fact that they typically accumulate tartar faster than non-worn teeth (this is because the enamel has been worn off). The only concern I would have would be that I can see the small dot in the center of the tooth. This structure is known as the pulp chamber, which houses the nerve and blood supply to the tooth. If this is exposed, the current recommendation is to either have a root canal performed or have the tooth removed. It does appear that Judge has tartar on his teeth. I would recommend a dental cleaning under anesthesia and have the teeth checked for any signs of pulp exposure. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available by phone or text based consultation if needed. If Judge chews on hard bones or toys, I would stop this so that the wearing does not worsen.

Simba will likely need some of those teeth extracted. Have the teeth x-rayed every year to check for abscesses under the gun line. Unfortunately it is impossible to tell if these teeth have been filed or worn down naturally. Certainly pets who aggressively chew, chew on metal or chew on rocks are more likely to wear down their teeth like this. When he is sedated and the teeth can all be palpated, the veterinarian may get a better idea. The most important thing is to take care of any existing dental disease and stay on top of the situation for the rest of his life. Congratulations on your new pup.

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, it's very likely that your dogs teeth are wearing down due to playing with tennis balls. I have seen dogs with very worn teeth from tennis balls alone so it may have happened even without the sand. Sometimes with severe wearing of the teeth they will become irreparably damaged and need to be extracted. The exposure of the pulp of the tooth when it is worn can lead to pain and infection. It's probably a good idea to have your veterinarian examine Olly and your other dog to see if any teeth should be extracted. To prevent further damage I would suggest taking away the tennis balls. Regards to you and Olly!

This looks like enamel hypoplasia, which is a problem that usually occurs during tooth development and can be secondary to certain infections or trauma. This might also be a devitalized tooth that needs to be extracted. I would recommend having your vet take a look in person.

Hello. The teeth are quite worn down, but without a thorough oral exam, it is difficult to evaluate exactly what is going on. I can tell you that some dogs, out of anxiety, boredom, even an obsessive compulsive condition, will chew on rocks or chain link fencing & can wear down & chip away at the teeth resulting in this. Perhaps being in a forever stable home is what this poor pup needs. Thank you so much for considering adoption & contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Rocko has signs of wear on all his incisors. This could be due to chewing on kennel walls or fencing or it could be due to misalignment of the teeth. These teeth may need to be removed at some point. I recommend to have Rocko examined by a veterinarian to examine the teeth., This will give you a better idea of if there is any pain or other signs of dental disease indicating that they should be removed sooner. Stop him from chewing on crates/fencing as well if that is occurring. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.