Sadie broke a tooth!

[LG & Sadie]

This last week sometime Sadie broke a tooth. A week is the longest I have ever gone in between brushing her teeth. Mostly because she is great with brushing her teeth-and I don't want that to change. She actually likes it! Anyway-she has a broken tooth. I did many comparisons with the opposite side same tooth-and I am sure, and it does go up very close to the gum line. Of course I am going to call her Vet. My family members think I am nuts-getting dental care for a dog. But it doesn't seem like a thing I should ignore? Is it? Any feedback would be very appreciated! Thanks in advance. LG

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You absolutely should not ignore it. First of all, "dental care" to me would be routine cleanings, and lots of people do that, too. Dental health is just as important for dogs as for people in regard to their overall health. But a broken tooth for sure should be looked at, especially if it's close to the gum line.

(Am I allowed to say that you should tell your family members that Sadie is a family member too, and that in your opinion, they are the ones who are nuts to think you would ignore something like that?)

[LG & Sadie]

Thanks Karen! I appreciate your feedback! I found a picture online-which looks a lot like the break in Sadie's tooth. She has an appointment this afternoon. So-I was planning on blowing off my family as I so frequently do ;-) just needed a little reality check from someone else as in love with their doodle! Of course Sadie is a family member. As a matter of fact.....oh, I better not say the as a matter of fact......it might not be good karma. I probably shouldn't have thought it either! But, that one I can't change! Thanks again!! Leane Doodle hugs from Sadie to Jack!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Leane, I'm so glad you posted, I was thinking about Sadie's tooth today! Please let us know what the vet says!

(PS: I know what you were thinking without you saying it, teehee!)

Hugs back atcha from me & JD!

[LG & Sadie]

Well-It is not a new break! How could it be that I have been brushing her teeth and not noticing? That the day she broke it-when it must have hurt, I didn't know it? Aaah I hate the thought of that! My poor babe all alone with a tooth ache. OK, now-onward. We have 3 options, 1 is extraction but it is a molar and I don't like the thought of that-maybe I can post a picture. I will try. 2 is a root canal. Um, involved procedure-and very expensive. and the 3rd I need to look further into-can't think of the name of it right now but it sounded kind of like a crown type filling thing. Also pricey. But, it's Sadie. I will get a picture of the tooth, and find my notes with the name of the procedure. It isn't super urgent as my girl has lived with it some time-and no longer in pain, just annoyed if she has it poked at. Oh, and Thanks Karen for knowing what I was thinking!!! :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't suppose you have pet insurance that would cover this, maybe? Some vets will work with you on a payment plan for expensive procedures, too.

The third option sounds like the one I would investigate. I think I would also look into the ramifications of just having it extracted. How it would affect her bite, her ability to eat, etc. I know that in people, one missing tooth causes all the other teeth to shift over time, but given the length of a dog's life, I don't know if that's a factor here.

I also wouldn't beat myself up about not noticing it before. (Well, I would, lol, but we shouldn't) Jack was walking around with an infection along his gum line, and it took his groomer to spot it!

Good luck, please keep us posted.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would try to find out if a simple extraction would result in any difficulty. I kind of think she would compensate for the lost tooth and be fine but I really don't know. At least it won't spoil her smile : )