Why does my dog grind his teeth after yawning

Do you wonder what makes your dog grind its teeth? Does your dog sound like he’s noshing down a box of nails? Here’s what you need to know about why this may occur and what you can do about it.

Just like humans, dogs grind their teeth. The first step to prevention is to try and identify what they are doing at the time they are grinding their teeth. Is it when they are excited, when they lie down and are relaxed, or perhaps they are even doing it while they are sound asleep?

Depending on what breed of dog you own, the strength and size of their jaw can vary enormously. It also means that the sound of your dog grinding its teeth can range from barely noticeable to borderline frightening. Large dogs have powerful jaws, and to us it can sound quite awful.

The medical term for canine teeth grinding is bruxism and can be the sign of several health and wellbeing issues. This is something that should never go unchecked.

Common causes of teeth grinding in dogs

Ignoring bruxism also means ignoring the cause, which may be something serious - especially if left undiagnosed. From a physical perspective, dogs sometimes grind their teeth because they are experiencing pain, most commonly in their abdomen or mouth. It can also be caused by jaw abnormalities – including misalignment.

The National Pet Dental Association says dogs that grind their teeth run the risk of wearing down the enamel on their teeth, which in turn may lead to more serious dental issues. This can range from fractures, exposed pulp, tooth infections, and painful teeth and gums. As such, you’ll want to have your vet examine them as soon as possible to find the cause of the grinding. The vet will offer a treatment plan to provide your pet with some relief and perhaps even put a stop to the bruxism. Ignoring it also means ignoring the underlying cause, which may be something serious especially if left undiagnosed.

Another common cause of teeth grinding is stress and anxiety. Dogs can be very sensitive to their surroundings and if there have been any recent changes or stress around the house, such as a new baby, moving to a new house, or conflict in the home, this can cause a reaction in your pooch. Dogs with anxiety or stress related issues may benefit from anti-anxiety medication or behavioural therapy. A doggy behaviourist will be able to help you identify the route cause of the anxiety and help you to help your dog adjust to changing situations. You can be your pet’s biggest advocate when it comes to a swift diagnosis, though be warned, it may take a little trial and error if the cause is not immediately obvious. In order to monitor changes, keep a note of any behavioural or lifestyle changes, changes in appetite, accidents or injuries, changes in toileting habits or a change of diet. Abdominal or stomach upsets may be at play if the grinding is accompanied by vomiting, shaking, fever or appetite loss. If this is the case, then it is important that these are mentioned to your vet so they have all the information they need to make the correct diagnosis.

If your pet is behaving out of the ordinary it is always advisable to seek advice from your vet. Your vet will conduct a thorough oral health assessment to examine their teeth and gums for obvious dental issues, and if they don’t spot an obvious issue, may order x-rays of their mouth. Dental problems are common in dogs and often difficult to identify at home. In addition, the vet will give them a thorough physical examination to ensure they make the right diagnosis. If the cause is not found to be dental or stress related, your vet may order other tests to see if the cause is related to their abdomen or elsewhere in their body. They may provide temporary pain relief to see if this stops the bruxism while continuing to identify the cause. If the teeth grinding is related to stress, as well as making practical changes to address the cause, your pet may benefit from having a space of their own they can retreat to.

They may also benefit from a quality stress busting supplement. Tryptophan supplementation has been shown to elevate serotonin blood levels, which may reduce the incidence of behaviour disorders including anxiety, allowing your pet a chance to relax in their home environment.

Related product:

PAW Complete Calm Chews
Tasty kangaroo based chews that contain key ingredients such as Tryptophan, B group vitamins and a blend of multivitamins and nutrients to support the general health and nervous function in dogs.

Bruxism is the act of grinding teeth together using the jaw muscles. This can include the actions of clenching or striking the teeth together. Teeth grinding is well known among humans, but it can occur in dogs as well. Mild teeth grinding may not cause any issues, but frequent grinding or clenching of the teeth can lead to problems with the teeth and jaw.

Not all dogs grind their teeth. When they do, there are a few potential reasons why.

Many dogs will grind their teeth as a response to pain or discomfort. Dogs don't typically exhibit signs of pain the way humans do. Many dogs try to hide their pain by acting as normal as possible; this is part of their survival instinct. A small behavior like teeth grinding may be the only hint you have that there is something wrong in your dog's mouth.

Potential causes of oral pain include periodontal disease, rotten teeth, oral infections, fractured teeth, injury to the oral mucous membranes or tongue, and oral growths or tumors. Some puppies will grind their teeth while they are teething or when there is a loose tooth. Fortunately, most puppies grow out of the behavior once their adult teeth have come in.

A malocclusion occurs when there are misaligned teeth preventing the jaws from closing the teeth together properly and evenly. In dogs, it is sometimes called an "abnormal bite" and may be seen as an underbite or overbite. Malocclusions cause the teeth to grind against other teeth involuntarily as a part of normal mouth movement.

Just like oral pain can make some dogs grind their teeth, pain or discomfort in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines can do the same. Teeth grinding in response to pain may be a way for dogs to self-soothe or distract from the pain.

Stress and anxiety are leading causes of bruxism in humans. In dogs, this reaction to anxiety and stress is less common but can still occur. This type of teeth grinding may happen unconsciously while dogs sleep. Some dog's may have focal seizures where the only thing noticed is teeth chattering.

Mild, infrequent teeth grinding may not cause problems in a dog. However, over time, grinding the teeth can cause significant wear to the tooth enamel and dentin. Once worn down enough, the teeth may become severely painful and damaged. If the pulp inside the tooth becomes exposed, the dog may develop a serious infection.

You may not be aware of your dog's teeth grinding at first. The sound of it may be subtle or it may sound like chattering or grinding. You may or may not see the movement of the jaw muscles and mouth unless you look very closely.

Do not ignore teeth grinding in your dog, even if it seems mild. If you notice signs of teeth grinding in your dog, be sure to contact your veterinarian's office to schedule an appointment. The vet will evaluate your dog's mouth and do a physical examination to look for an underlying cause.

Your vet will likely recommend lab tests or imaging to evaluate your dog's organ function and overall health. These tests may reveal underlying conditions that might be causing the bruxism. In addition, they can help your vet determine the safest methods to use for anesthesia, sedation, pain management, and other therapies.

Based on the exam findings, your dog may need an oral examination and professional dental cleaning to determine the extent of the damage and/or begin treatment. Your dog will be put under anesthesia and the teeth will be closely examined. Dental radiographs (X-rays) may be performed to assess the teeth and jaw.

If your vet determines that the teeth grinding is not related to a health problem, then there is a chance your dog is experiencing anxiety or stress. Your vet may be able to offer advice on how to ease your dog's stress using environmental changes, medications, and behavior modification. You may wish to seek help from an animal behaviorist or dog trainer to help your work with your dog.

You may be able to prevent the harmful effect of teeth grinding if it is caught early. Be sure to bring your dog to the vet for routine wellness visits as recommended, usually once or twice a year.