Why Does My Dog Grind His Teeth?

Have you ever heard a dog’s teeth grind? Dogs grind their teeth in the same way that humans do. The grating noise is reminiscent of metals clashing against one other. Your dog may grind his teeth from time to time. There are a variety of reasons why dogs grind their teeth.

It’s critical to determine why your dog grinds his teeth. If nothing is done, it might lead to major difficulties in the future. It’s not healthy for your dog, and it’s bothersome while you’re trying to catch some sleep or watch Television.

In this article, we are going to check out the possible reasons why your dog grinds his teeth and also how to prevent a frequent occurrence.

Why Do Dogs Grind their teeth?

The grinding of teeth in dogs is also known as bruxism. Bruxism is the act of grinding teeth together using jaw muscles.

When your dog scrapes his upper and bottom teeth together continually, this is known as teeth grinding. This wears down the enamel on your dog’s teeth, which can lead to fractures, pulp exposure, infections, and tooth and gum discomfort.

Your dog grinds his teeth for the following reasons:

1. Jaw Abnormalities

An underbite or overbite can occur when a dog’s jaw is misaligned. This makes it difficult for a dog to seal their jaws correctly, resulting in teeth grinding.

2. Stress or Anxiety

When dogs are worried or stressed, they might grind their teeth, much like people. In humans, stress and worry are the major causes of bruxism. This worry and stress reaction are less prevalent in dogs, but it can nonetheless happen. This form of tooth grinding can occur unintentionally while dogs are sleeping. Working with a dog behaviorist and your veterinarian can help you figure out what’s causing your dog’s stress and how to deal with it.

3. Oral Pain

As a result of pain or discomfort, many dogs grind their teeth. Dogs don’t show pain in the same way that people do. Many dogs try to mask their discomfort by behaving normally; it’s part of their survival instinct. A little symptom, such as teeth grinding, might be the sole indication that something is amiss with your dog’s mouth.

Periodontal disease, cavities, oral infections, broken teeth, damage to the oral mucous membranes or tongue, and oral growths or tumors are all possible causes of oral discomfort. When a puppy is teething or has a loose tooth, it is common for them to grind their teeth. Fortunately, after their adult teeth come in, most pups grow out of this tendency.

4. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Pain or discomfort in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines can cause dogs to grind their teeth in the same way as pain in the mouth might. Grinding teeth in response to pain might be a strategy for dogs to self-soothe or distract themselves from the discomfort.

5. Malocclusion

The term “malocclusion” refers to the misalignment of teeth. Skeletal and dental malocclusions are the two forms of malocclusion. A skeletal malocclusion occurs when the teeth are misaligned due to an irregular jaw length. When the upper and lower jaw lengths are regarded normal, but one or more teeth are out of alignment, a dental malocclusion, or malposition, results.

When misaligned teeth hinder the jaws from correctly and evenly shutting the teeth together, this is known as malocclusion. It’s known as an “abnormal bite” in dogs, and it can manifest as an underbite or overbite. As part of regular mouth movement, malocclusions lead teeth to grind against one another automatically.

6. Excitement

Many dogs grind their teeth merely because they are eager or expecting something wonderful, such as a reward or a tossed ball. When their owner returns home, some dogs click their teeth. It’s also a common occurrence before they’re fed.

7. Low Temperature

It’s the same with humans. Your dog’s fur may not be able to keep him warm. Teeth grinding might just indicate a drop in your dog’s body temperature. This sensitivity to cold weather might happen to your tiny dog long before it happens to you. A Chihuahua breed, for example, might be more affected by your air conditioning than you are. Consider purchasing your dog a sweater or a warm spot to lay in that situation.

8. Sniffing

Because they are using their vomeronasal systems, dogs might create weird expressions and lip motions while detecting novel odors. Your dog’s teeth grinding might be a sign that he’s trying to scent something.

9. Neurological Issue

Neurological diseases are illnesses that damage your dog’s peripheral nervous system and cause it to malfunction. Dogs can be affected by a variety of neurological diseases. Early detection of indications of a neurological illness is critical for your pet’s therapy. Examine your dog’s pupils for unusual dilatation and look for a strange walk. If the bringing occurs at random or regularly, it might be an indication of something more serious, such as shaker syndrome.

10. Periodontal Disease

Gum disease affects dogs in the same way it affects humans. If the chattering is accompanied by drooling, trouble eating, foul smell, or tooth loss, it might be a sign of periodontal disease, which is a painful condition. Examine the dog’s water dish and chew toys for any signs of blood. Check to see whether it just chews on one side of its mouth or refuses to let you touch its head or face.

Do Dogs Grind Their Teeth While Teething?

Puppies may experience discomfort as their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth emerge. Some pups will grind their teeth in response to the pain in their mouths. When your puppy’s adult teeth grow in, though, they should stop grinding their teeth. In the interim, a frozen rubber toy packed with mashed-up veggies and fruit or one of the many fantastic puppy teething toys on the market can help ease your dog’s suffering.

Why Do Dogs Grind Their Teeth While Sleeping?

Teeth grinding doesn’t cease for some dogs even when they’re sleeping. When people are habitually agitated or anxious, they may grind their teeth while sleeping, and dogs can do the same. Even while they’re sleeping, the pain might provoke an instinctive need to grind their teeth.

Is It Bad If My Dog Grinds His Teeth?

Teeth grinding that is mild and occurs infrequently may not create difficulties in dogs. On the other hand, grinding his teeth can cause severe wear to the tooth enamel and dentin over time. The teeth may become highly uncomfortable and damaged if they are worn down enough. The dog may acquire a severe infection if the pulp within the tooth is more exposed.

At first, you might not notice your dog grinding his teeth. It may sound like chattering or grinding, or it may be more subtle. Unless you look extremely carefully, you may or may not be able to see the jaw muscles and mouth move.

What to Do When My Dog Grind His Teeth?

Even if your dog’s teeth grinding appears to be little, you should not dismiss it. If you observe evidence of teeth grinding in your dog, make an appointment with your veterinarian. To rule out an underlying reason, the vet will examine your dog’s mouth and do a physical examination.

To assess your dog’s organ function and general condition, your veterinarian will likely order lab testing or imaging. These tests might show underlying issues that are causing your bruxism. They can also assist your veterinarian in determining the safest anesthetic, sedative, pain management, and other therapies to utilize.

Your dog may require an oral checkup and professional teeth cleaning to evaluate the degree of the damage and/or to initiate treatment based on the exam findings. Your dog will be sedated and his teeth will be thoroughly checked. To evaluate the teeth and jaw, dental radiographs (X-rays) may be taken.

If your veterinarian concludes that the teeth grinding is not caused by a medical condition, your dog may be anxious or stressed. Your veterinarian may be able to give suggestions for reducing your dog’s stress levels through environmental modifications, medication, and behavior modification. You might choose to hire an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer to assist you in working with your dog.

If you catch teeth grinding early enough, you might be able to avoid the negative consequences. Make sure to take your dog to the veterinarian for regular health checks, which should be done once or twice a year.

Prevent Teeth Grinding

Providing your dog with well-balanced food that includes all of the nutrients he needs, as well as ensuring that he receives enough activity, is critical to his long-term health. Physical and emotional wellness are both vital for your dog. He will be less prone to develop harmful tendencies if he receives enough stimulation. Annual inspections with your veterinarian help guarantee that any possible problems that your dog may develop are handled before they become more serious.

There are a number of things you can do to help your dog’s mental health and reduce anxiety. Socialization, which involves exposing your dog to new people, animals, locations, and experiences, can aid in his transition. Because it aids in the development of relationships and the establishment of trust, obedience training can aid in the prevention of anxiety.

There may be circumstances that you wish to avoid as you learn to understand your dog and what makes him anxious. If your dog becomes uncomfortable when there are loud noises or a lot of other people around, allocate him a quiet spot where he can be alone.

How To Stop My Dog From Grinding His Teeth?

Jaw misalignment, discomfort, and tension or anxiety are the most typical reasons for dogs grinding their teeth; however, this is not the same as chattering. You may take some actions to keep your dog from developing any of these problems. These might include the following:

• Provide Enough Stimulation – While walking or playing games can provide exercise, you can also provide your dog with other types of stimulation. This may entail interacting with other canines and people. You may also sign him up for an agility lesson or allow him to participate in obstacle course competitions.

•  Exercise – Ensure that your dog receives regular exercise every day to keep him healthy. Exercise is beneficial not only to one’s physical and mental health, but it may also aid to relieve or even prevent tension and anxiety.

• Take him for regular checkups – Your dog will have you to thank when you take him for regular checkups. Any underlying medical concerns will be detected during your dog’s annual health exams with the veterinarian before they become a problem. Regular dental exams will expose any tooth concerns before they grow into uncomfortable diseases if your dog is prone to jaw misalignment due to his unusual jaw shape.

• Diet – Make sure your dog eats a balanced diet. Your dog will be less prone to GI difficulties and other medical concerns caused by a bad diet if he eats food that is high in the proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

You can help stop your dog from grinding his teeth, whether it’s due to discomfort, tension, boredom, or jaw misalignment, by following these guidelines.

Conclusion

To be honest, the behavior of dogs grinding their teeth seems a little alarming. It might indicate that your physical or mental health is failing. It may be something as simple as a new toy, or it could be something more serious like mouth discomfort. Not to mention advanced neurological issues!

Because dental discomfort is the most common cause of teeth grinding in dogs, you must ensure that your canine’s oral health and cleanliness are maintained. As directed by your veterinarian, follow a dental program. This will assist you in resolving any issues before they get as serious and unpleasant as tooth grinding in dogs.

That concludes our guide on dog teeth grinding! We hope you found it helpful and instructive.