Why Do Dogs Grind Their Teeth? And What Can You Do About It

Is your dog grinding its teeth as a quirky habit or as a cry for help? If a dog grinds its teeth, a condition known as bruxism, this behavior might signal dental issues, pain, stress, or anxiety. It can cause enamel wear, infections, and jaw pain. Consulting a veterinarian is crucial to diagnose the underlying cause and to provide appropriate treatment or behavioral therapy.

To help you better understand the many reasons why your dog might be grinding its teeth, we’ll cover a wide range of research from veterinary sciences, animal behavior studies, and canine dental health literature. This will include clinical case study reviews, animal behaviorist perspectives, and veterinary dentist advice.

Our hope is that this will give you a well-rounded view of the potential reasons why your dog is grinding its teeth, as well as the health concerns and ways to address it.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Grinding Their Teeth

Bruxism in dogs is a relatively silent issue, but there are a few ways to tell if your dog is grinding their teeth. Clinical signs of bruxism in dogs include enamel wear, changes in chewing behavior, and more overt signs of oral pain, like not wanting to eat or chew on toys.

As noted by The Dodo, dogs can grind their teeth in their sleep, which can be harder to detect if not for the enamel wear and potential tooth damage that comes with it.

Vets can diagnose bruxism through a thorough diagnostic process that starts with a complete physical exam. They may also use diagnostic imaging, such as dental X-rays, to look for potential causes, according to Vetster. It’s important to differentiate between bruxism and other behaviors, such as teeth chattering, as they could have different causes and require different treatment.

Regular wellness exams are important for catching teeth grinding early so that it can be treated before it becomes a bigger problem. Being proactive about taking your pet to the vet can help pet parents protect their dog’s dental health. Since bruxism can be a sign of a number of issues, from dental problems to gastrointestinal ones, recognizing and diagnosing the condition is the first step in making sure our furry friends are healthy.

Periodontal Disease and Bruxism

The sound of your dog grinding their teeth is often a sign of a larger issue with their dental health. Inflamed gums and other supporting structures of the teeth are often the result of periodontal disease, and this inflammation can lead to pain and bruxism.

VCA Animal Hospitals also notes that the bacteria that causes periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys, leading to more serious health issues.

Preventative care is important for your dog’s dental health and can help reduce the likelihood of bruxism. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends yearly dental check-ups to catch any issues early.

At home, brushing your dog’s teeth daily or using oral rinses and medicated dental chews can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease. If your dog needs more advanced dental work, you can find a veterinary dentist on the American Veterinary Dental College’s website.

Taking care of your dog’s dental health is not only important for preventing bruxism, but it can also help prevent other health issues. This shows the importance of being proactive and taking steps to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Doing so can help ensure that your dog is comfortable and free from the pain and stress that can lead to bruxism.

Untangling the Links: Pain, Stress, and Canine Bruxism

Bruxism in dogs can be a response to pain, stress, or anxiety. A review in PMC notes that bruxism is a common behavioral response in dogs to medical issues, especially those that are painful.

Dogs may grind their teeth in response to joint pain, gastrointestinal pain, or other internal issues. This unconscious response to pain can be misunderstood by pet parents and even veterinarians as a behavioral quirk rather than a sign of an underlying medical problem.

Stress and anxiety can also cause bruxism in dogs. A change in the dog’s environment or routine can cause stress, which can lead to repetitive behaviors like bruxism. Studies have shown the importance of recognizing the link between a dog’s emotional and physical states, and this has led to the recommendation that addressing the underlying causes of pain and stress can help reduce the behaviors associated with them.

Recognizing and treating these causes can be done through close observation and a comprehensive veterinary evaluation. Treatment may involve pain management, environmental changes, and behavior modification. By treating the underlying causes of stress and pain, a dog’s well-being can be improved, and bruxism may be reduced or eliminated, demonstrating a more comprehensive approach to a dog’s health and happiness.

Pain Management: How to Treat Canine Bruxism with Pain Relief and Behavior Modification

Because pain is often a factor in bruxism, especially in the case of painful dental conditions, a combination of treatments is often necessary to address this type of bruxism in dogs.

A study published on PMC notes that pain management in veterinary patients is important and that pain relief is often achieved through the use of medications like opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and adjunctive therapies like gabapentin. Changes to a dog’s diet and the addition of essential fatty acids or glucosamine can also help with joint health and pain relief.

Veterinary behaviorists are important in the treatment of stress-induced bruxism, which is discussed in a paper published by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on PMC. Behavior modification, environmental enrichment, and even psychotropic drugs can be used to help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs and, in turn, reduce the likelihood of bruxism.

To help ensure that dogs are in a stress-free environment, they should be given regular exercise, mental stimulation, and a predictable schedule. In addition, dog owners can help ensure that their pets feel safe and secure by providing a quiet, comfortable place for them to rest. By addressing both the physical and emotional needs of dogs, dog owners can help manage bruxism and improve their pets’ quality of life.

The Latest in Veterinary Dentistry: Breakthroughs in Bruxism Treatment

Veterinary dentistry is currently experiencing a renaissance, and new technology and techniques are revolutionizing the way conditions like bruxism are diagnosed and treated. For example, Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic uses digital dental radiography, which is an excellent way to get detailed images of the teeth and bone, enabling the vet to find problems that could lead to teeth grinding.

South Reno Veterinary Hospital mentions state-of-the-art oral surgery equipment and procedures that can help avoid extractions, which are important for the treatment of bruxism.

In order to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and avoid bruxism, it’s important to have regular dental exams and cleanings. The good news is that the standard of care is getting better, with the American Veterinary Dental College recognizing more Board Certified veterinary dental specialists.

These specialists have access to new technology like cone beam CT for 3-D imaging and CAD/CAM for dental restorations, which can help with prevention and treatment. As a result of the ongoing advances in veterinary dentistry, the future looks bright for reducing or preventing bruxism in dogs through better dental health.

Canine Bruxism: The Mystery Unraveled

As we’ve learned, bruxism in dogs is a serious condition that should not be overlooked. However, the first step in addressing this complex problem is understanding the signs of bruxism.

From there, it’s important to understand that bruxism can be caused by a variety of factors, including dental health, pain, stress, and anxiety. Therefore, it’s important to treat the underlying causes of bruxism, as simply treating the symptoms will only lead to a short-term solution.

Preventative care, including regular dental exams and cleanings, is important for maintaining good dental health and preventing bruxism. Vets have also come a long way in their ability to diagnose and treat dental issues in dogs, which is promising for the future of bruxism treatment.

In the end, a dog’s well-being is dependent on a combination of good dental health, pain management, and behavioral care. By understanding and treating the causes of bruxism, we can help our dogs live better lives and ensure that they are happy and healthy.