Teeth

[Penny Less]

Mrs Spaniel has very few teeth due to her puppy farm background. She does however still have her "fangs" upper and lower on right side of her mouth.
I have noticed that the lower one seems to be leaning outwards more but it isnt loose. Is this because it is actually shifting minutely as no nearby teeth to keep it stable?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

This is what is happening to my mares tooth. She had a molar taken out and the two either side are shifting a little to take up the room.

Also what happened to me! I had very crooked teeth in a teeny tiny mouth, had 4 pre molars taken out so they could all shift around for when I then had braces.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Trouble is that even though I think it could be as you said, that it's a reaction to the lack of surrounding teeth, I also think it could be due to something else. Since one of my own bitches just a minute ago, absentmindedly turned around, and accidentally hit her nose in a table leg as she started the turn, my first thought is to wonder if your Spaniel could have accidentally injured the tooth by hitting her nose on something?

A dentist nurse working once a week on a veterinary hospital fixing dog (and cat) tooth problems, told me that I can try to check if there's something wrong with my pets teeth, by taking something made of metal, like a spoon handle, and gently tap it against one tooth at a time. Start with the ones you think is okay, and see if you notice any difference in the sound when you come to one who is misbehaving.
Don't know how to describe what she told me to listen for in the sound, but think of how broken china is supposed to sound different if you tap on it, compared to not broken china.

Not a guarantee that there's nothing wrong if the tooth sounds okay, but perhaps it could be used as an indication.

 

[HoundFan]

I honestly wouldn’t worry! I’ve had a few hounds with very few teeth, and I’ve noticed this phenomenon too - the canine teeth do seem to ‘spread’ without the other teeth to support them - but it hasn’t been a problem for any of my dogs, they have never had to have the affected teeth removed for example. Hope that helps!

 

[Penny Less]

Thanks, probably saved me a trip to the vet. She has only about 8 teeth left although she was only 7 when I got her she had lost loads and I had to get 13 taken out as they were in such a state.. They are a dreadful colour too.My old boy of 15 still had all his teeth in good order. I find it a bit upsetting looking in her mouth as her gums are sort of "frilly" too.