This is one of the most common replies when my clients see a quote for a broken tooth repair from a  dog dentist.  Yes,  repairing a dental fracture can be very expensive.  That is why reading this blog  post may save you lots of money.

What  you need to know to reduce the risk:

Avoid feeding beef, buffalo or bison shank bones.   They are often harder than dog teeth. Most dogs  will get  simply carried away chewing on a large bone and may crack one of their teeth.  This is how a  2 dollar marrow bone can turn into a painful and  very expensive adventure.

I already hear  some some of you protesting: “But my dog loves big bones!! He likes to work at the bone marrow!”

Solving the dilemma

In reality, nature intended canines to hunt for birds, rodents , rabbits, goats and perhaps deer. Most dogs would  simply  not dare to come even close to a buffalo or a cow.  With the exception of a pack of hungry Chihuahuas, most dogs simply do not like hanging on the ankle of a angry bull.

The right  sized  bones can be very beneficial

However,  if you want to avoid regular dental cleaning under anesthesia,  the right  sized  bones can save Fido a lot of dental trouble and save you tons of money. I usually  recommend feeding lamb or goat   bones twice a week.  The abrasive action  of these  hard but  not too thick bones is perfect for keeping your dogs teeth shiny  without the risk of dental fractures.

Why I do not  recommend junky dental bones?

Many companies  have come up with alternatives to dental bones.  However most of them are  innefective and  loaded with artificial preservatives, wheat, starches and ingredients of  questionable origin.

Real bones are the best option!

What to do if you discover a fractured tooth?

Since my clients have learned about feeding the right bones, the number of  fractured teeth has dropped sharply.  However, no matter what you do, your dog can crack a tooth by munching on a rock or having an accident of some sort.

I remember Roz, a German Shepherd that chased a ball and tried to catch it mid air. Unfortunately, she missed the ball  and bit a big cement block instead. She fracture several teeth  and needed a medical attention.

The rule of thumb is if you can you should repair it. If a veterinary dentist is available in your area, he will give you the right suggestion.  Many general practitioners have also suitable dental equipment however, some over-prescribe extractions because they are not trained to do root canals.

Also, if a tooth is removed, the opposing one is usually affected by  increased tartar build up and gum disease.   It will frequently be lost a few months or year later.

Timely response is   important

The sooner you can get the fractured  tooth  examined  the better because because a freshly fractured tooth can regenerate and stay alive by applying a  cemment cap. In most fractures  older than a few  days, a root canal is most likely needed and sometimes, an extraction may be the only solution.

Summary

1. RAW BONES ARE SAFE TO FEED.
2. NEVER FEED COOKED OR SMOKED BONES  – THEY ARE  HARD AND INDIGESTIBLE
3. Feed the bones of medium sized  animals for optimal and safe  cleaning effect
4. Large beef, buffalo and other large bones are too hard and can cause dental fractures.
5. RAW Chicken  bones  are safe  to eat but  too soft to  clean teeth
6. It is ok for a dog to eat bone fragments. The stomach  acids disolve them and aid complete disolution and digestion.
7. Fractured  teeth should be restored if possible.
8. Raw dental bones should fed 1 – 2 a week