Have bad teeth pulled or not?

Dogs can develop various dental problems. It is therefore very important to regularly check your dog's dental health. If any teeth are really bad, your vet may recommend having them extracted. But beware: this requires real surgery and is therefore a heavy procedure. Prevention is definitely better than cure.

Welfare

2 June '25 2 min reading time

Poor dental health can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and even more serious health issues such as heart and kidney disease. If a tooth can no longer be saved, it is better to have it removed.

Watching for Dental Issues

Before a tooth becomes seriously damaged, there are often early signs that something is wrong with your dog's teeth. Warning signs include bad breath, discolored or worn-down teeth, and red or swollen gums. You should also be alert if your dog’s eating habits change — for example, having more difficulty chewing or a reduced appetite. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it’s advisable to make a vet appointment as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can often prevent the need for tooth extraction and improve your dog’s overall health. Keep in mind that dogs tend to hide (dental) pain for as long as they can.

Why Pull Teeth?

The most common reason for tooth extraction in dogs is periodontitis (gum disease). This painful condition can result from a buildup of dental plaque. If gum disease is left untreated for too long, the affected tooth often has to be removed. Another reason to extract a tooth is if it gets broken. Additionally, some teeth may be misaligned or fail to erupt properly, and some dogs have too many teeth. Just like in humans, cavities and root problems can also occur in dogs. It’s a good idea to have your puppy’s dental development checked by a veterinarian — at around eight weeks, twelve weeks, and six months old. After that, a dental check-up every six months is recommended, for example at the same time as vaccinations.

Tooth Extraction in Dogs

Tooth extraction in dogs is a serious procedure that requires general anesthesia. It’s something you’d ideally want to avoid. But sometimes it’s necessary, and when it is, you shouldn’t delay. Removing damaged or infected teeth can relieve pain and prevent further health problems. Dog tooth roots are much longer and stronger than human ones, so extractions must be done very carefully to ensure no root fragments are left behind that could cause infection.

Preventing Dental Problems

In addition to regular check-ups, you can take steps yourself to support your dog’s dental health. This includes a healthy diet, special dental care toys (like chew bones), and regular tooth brushing. Use a dog-specific toothpaste (without fluoride!) and a suitable toothbrush. There are also several supplements and herbs that can support your dog’s oral health. The plant cannabinoids from clove combined with the active compound thymoquinone from black cumin can help stop gum inflammation before it becomes serious. These active substances from clove and black cumin have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

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Plaque and Tartar Plaque and tartar can form a buildup on the teeth or in between them. Plaque is a thin, sticky layer on the tooth. This layer consists mainly of many bacteria and remains after the dog has eaten. If you don't remove plaque by brushing the teeth, these bacteria can cause an infection in the gums. Tartar can prevent you from removing the plaque properly with brushing. You can recognize an excess of plaque or tartar because your dog gets bad breath. Moreover, you can see a yellowi...

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Dental problems are common in dogs. Therefore, it is important to keep a close watch on your dog's teeth and to brush your dog's teeth. The choice of dog food also affects the teeth. How does that work?

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Cannabinoids

Clove

Black cumin

Humans and mammals have a system of tiny transmitters and receivers in their bodies, which ensures that signals from cells go to the brain and vice versa. This way, the brain knows if something is wrong somewhere and can send helper substances or other cells to the right location to address a disturbance, intruder, or problem. This system is called, with a difficult word, the 'endocannabinoid system'. And no, this is not science fiction!

Cannabi-whats? This unknown system keeps your dog healthy!

Humans and mammals have a system of tiny transmitters and receivers in their bodies, which ensures that signals from cells go to the brain and vice versa. This way, the brain knows if something is wrong somewhere and can send helper substances or other cells to the right location to address a disturbance, intruder, or problem. This system is called, with a difficult word, the 'endocannabinoid system'. And no, this is not science fiction!. If you've never heard of the endocannabinoid system, that's not too strange. Scientists only discovered in the early 1990s that humans and mammals have an endocannabinoid system at all. This system restores balance in cells in cases of pain, inflammation, and disruptions to the immune system. Your dog also has an endocannabinoid system. It is important for many bodily processes. For example, in oxygen transport, the proper functioning of the nervous system, bone formation, the gastrointestinal s...

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