Dental Risks in Large Breed Dogs: Understanding Tooth Breakage and Prevention
Large breed dogs may not struggle with crowded teeth like small dogs do, but they do face their own set of dental challenges—especially when it comes to tooth fractures and injuries from chewing.
1. Larger, Stronger Jaws = More Force
Large breed dogs have powerful jaws, and they love to chew. While chewing is natural and healthy, the strength of their bite means they can unintentionally break their teeth—especially if they’re chewing on hard objects like antlers, bones, or synthetic nylon toys.
2. Common Injuries: Broken Premolars and Canines
The most frequently broken teeth are the upper fourth premolars (also called the "carnassial" teeth) and the large canine teeth. These teeth take the most force during chewing, and when they break, the pulp (nerve) inside can be exposed, causing pain, infection, or abscesses.
3. Chewing Habits Can Lead to Emergency Dental Work
While a broken tooth may not seem urgent at first, it often requires extraction or a root canal to prevent ongoing pain and infection. In many cases, we only find the break once it’s already become a bigger issue.
What Can You Do to Protect Their Teeth?
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Avoid extremely hard chews: A good rule of thumb is this—if you wouldn’t want to be hit in the kneecap with it, don’t let your dog chew on it. This includes antlers, bones, hooves, and many hard nylon toys.
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Choose safer alternatives: Rubber toys, dental chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), and softer edible treats are safer for chewing.
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Routine dental exams: Regular checkups allow us to catch small fractures or signs of wear before they become painful problems.
Keeping your large dog’s teeth healthy means more than just cleanings—it also means safe chewing habits and early intervention if something seems off. If you have questions about safe chew options, we’re always happy to help. Call us at (281) 801-1444