Help! My Dog Grinds Their Teeth, What Should I Do Now

Man, I gotta tell you about this thing I went through with my dog, Buster. It was kinda weird, but I learned a bunch from it, so I figured I’d share the story.

It all started when I noticed Buster doing this strange thing with his mouth. He was, like, grinding his teeth. Not all the time, just every now and then. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I mean, people grind their teeth, right? Figured it might be the same for dogs. But then, it kept happening.

So, I started paying more attention. I’d catch him doing it when he was just chilling on the couch, or sometimes even in his sleep! It was this weird, side-to-side motion of his jaws, and it made this gnarly sound.

This is when I started getting a bit worried. I did what any responsible dog owner would do – I started Googling stuff. “Why do dogs grind their teeth?” “Dog grinding teeth in sleep.” You know, the usual. It’s a rabbit hole, let me tell you.

What I found out was that this teeth grinding thing is actually called “bruxism.” Sounds fancy, huh? Anyway, it turns out it’s not always a big deal, but it can be a sign of some underlying problems. Like, it could be because of dental issues, pain, stress, or even stomach problems.

• Dental Issues: This seemed like the most obvious one. Maybe Buster had a toothache or something.
• Pain: This could be anywhere, not just his mouth. Maybe his tummy hurt.
• Stress/Anxiety: Dogs get stressed too, you know? Maybe something was bothering him.
• Gastrointestinal Problems: This was a new one for me. Apparently, tummy troubles can cause teeth grinding.

So, I started observing Buster even more closely. I checked his teeth as best as I could. They looked alright, but I’m no vet. I also tried to see if he showed any other signs of being uncomfortable, but he seemed pretty normal, apart from the teeth grinding.

I decided to make a plan.

• First, I booked a vet appointment. Better safe than sorry, right?
• Second, I started keeping a little journal, noting when he was grinding his teeth, what he was doing before, and anything else that seemed relevant.
• Third, I tried to make his environment as stress-free as possible. Extra cuddles, more playtime, you know the drill.

The Vet Visit

The vet was super helpful. She checked Buster all over, and after asking me tons of questions, she confirmed that bruxism can indicate many problems. She found a little inflammation in his gums, but nothing major.

In the end, we figured it might be a mix of mild stress and maybe a bit of an upset stomach. The vet gave me some tips on how to help Buster with that, like changing his diet a little, introducing some calming aids, and keeping a close eye on his dental health.

Moving Forward

It’s been a few weeks since the vet visit, and I’ve been following her advice. I’ve noticed a decrease in the teeth grinding, which is great! I’m still keeping that journal, just in case. It is worth noting that the vet mentioned that for some dogs, teeth grinding could be a habit or related to their dreams. In any case, it’s crucial to consult a vet if it is reoccurring or causes pain and other symptoms.

So, yeah, that’s my story about Buster and his teeth-grinding adventures. It was a bit of a scare, but I learned a lot. Main takeaways?

• Pay attention to your dog’s weird habits.
• Don’t freak out, but don’t ignore it either.
• Google is your friend, but your vet is your best friend.
• Sometimes, it’s just a little stress or a tummy ache.
• Always, always give your furry friend lots of love!

Hope this helps someone out there. It’s a wild world being a dog owner, but it’s the best!