5 Common Signs Your Dog Might Need a Tooth Extracted

Sometimes dogs need teeth extracted. This could be due to a lesion in the mouth, an infection or general decay. Whatever the reason, you need to have any problem teeth extracted via vet surgery as soon as possible to improve the dog's quality of life and prevent the problem from spreading. If you catch the problem early enough, your vet may even be able to treat it without needing to extract any teeth.

Unfortunately, the oral pain that would alert you to a problem in your own mouth is often hard to spot in dogs. Their drive for food is so great that even considerable oral discomfort often doesn't stop them eating. As such, you need to keep an eye out for these 5 common signs your dog might need a tooth extracted.

1. Not Chewing or Not Grasping With the Mouth

Even with a bad tooth, your dog may continue eating. However, they'll probably seem less inclined to use their mouth in other ways. If they no longer want to chew on their favourite squeaky toy, carry larger or heavier objects, or play games like tug-of-war that involve grasping something with their teeth, oral problems may be to blame.  

2. Bad Breath

Okay, your dog's breath is never going to smell like a bed of roses, but you should notice a sharp and unpleasant difference if infection or decay sets in. If you notice your dog's breath smelling rotten, what you're actually smelling is bacteria and infection.

3. Irritability

The modern domestic dog is usually a docile, loving creature, so it can be very surprising and unpleasant to see them become more irritable and withdrawn. Unfortunately, this can happen when they are in pain. It's part of the dog's natural defences; when they are in pain, they feel more vulnerable and can become less inclined to play nice. If your dog's behaviour is changing for the worse, something is definitely wrong.

4. Gum Changes

You should check your dog's mouth occasionally to make sure nothing is wrong, and you should certainly take a look if you think they might be suffering from oral discomfort. You probably won't be able to spot decay unless it has developed extremely far, but you can pick up on the visual signs of infection. When your dog's gums appear swollen or inflamed, you need to take them to see a vet.

5. Excessive Pawing and Drooling

Finally, your dog may eventually start pawing at their own face while drooling excessively. This is usually due to a dental abscess causing pain and discomfort, and it's behaviour that usually only starts when the problem has become serious.