Tooth missing!

[pepina]

I checked Pepina's teeth this morning like always and noticed that he is missing his upper right tooth! I am scared and don't know how it happened or what to do. I pray that it will grow back but I don't see anything in the hole where his tooth used to be. He's around 3 years old and always has had healthy teeth. Please see the photo (his bottom teeth are perfectly fine even though you can't see them in the photo) and let me know how to proceed and what to expect. 303968

[TubeDriver]

Best case scenario is that he had a fall and knocked out his tooth or got it snagged on a cage or something and he ripped it off. But if you did not see blood at any point then this is less likely.

Loss of teeth is associated with odontomas. The only way to know for sure is if you have a vet get an x-ray of his teeth and jaw. Has he had any other symptoms seen with odontomas such as infections/irritation/swelling around his mouth, breathing or sinus issues, teary eyes?

The tooth might grow back. During this period, it might be necessary to trip his bottom teeth since they can't wear down on the missing top teeth. Once the top tooth is grown in, the extra trimming will not be needed. Trimming is not really all that hard, we can provide directions for a safe, correct tooth trim. If his top tooth does not grow back, then you might need to trim his bottom tooth about 1x per month so that the bottom tooth does not become overgrown.

How is his diet, what does he get daily?

[pepina]

Thanks for that detailed response! I've never heard of odontomas before, but it seems unlikely because I have never noticed anything like any of those symptoms you've listed. He has seemed very healthy in just about every way as far as I can tell. His diet has been healthy as well--around 2-3 Henry's Healthy Bites per day (sometimes Picky version), some vegetables (including endives, carrots, snap peas, cucumber, etc), some fruit (a grape or two, a piece of apple, every now and then some seasonal fruit like pluots), and one nut, sometimes two per day if he finds a hidden one I didn't notice from another day.

After a VERY thorough search for the past couple of hours through millions of pieces of chewed wood bits and tissues, I finally found the tooth in his nest though! I examined it and it appears to be broken, rather than completely fallen out as I had feared. Perhaps even though the hole in his mouth looks empty, there's actually a small root of the tooth in there still ready to grow back? I'm including the photo in case you or any other sleuths here are able to weigh in. Notice in the second picture (this may not be significant, but I'm paranoid at this point), that there is a subtle dark spot (not a shadow) near the center of the tooth. Is that cause for concern?

Meanwhile, should I change his diet or anything about his routine due to the missing tooth?

Again thanks for any help at all!

303969
303970


Best case scenario is that he had a fall and knocked out his tooth or got it snagged on a cage or something and he ripped it off. But if you did not see blood at any point then this is less likely.

Loss of teeth is associated with odontomas. The only way to know for sure is if you have a vet get an x-ray of his teeth and jaw. Has he had any other symptoms seen with odontomas such as infections/irritation/swelling around his mouth, breathing or sinus issues, teary eyes?

The tooth might grow back. During this period, it might be necessary to trip his bottom teeth since they can't wear down on the missing top teeth. Once the top tooth is grown in, the extra trimming will not be needed. Trimming is not really all that hard, we can provide directions for a safe, correct tooth trim. If his top tooth does not grow back, then you might need to trim his bottom tooth about 1x per month so that the bottom tooth does not become overgrown.

How is his diet, what does he get daily?

[TubeDriver]

Tooth looks healthy overall. I would inspect the area where you found the tooth very closely for snagpoints, areas where a squirrel could get a tooth wedged in something? You can cover these up or perhaps open it up so it does not present a threat. Hopefully his tooth will grow back.


You might try lightly dusting his blocks with some calcium powder and inspect his teeth weekly to make sure there is not overgrowth occurring on the bottom teeth. If that becomes an issue, let us know.

[pepina]

Ok got it. The tooth was found inside his nest basket, which is really soft of course. Possibilities I can think of are that the tooth cracked elsewhere (ie chewing on the edge of the cage or something??) and then fell out in the nest when he was chewing on something else. It seems doubtful that the little nut shell pieces or pieces of wood inside the nest broke the tooth but who knows I guess. I'll keep you updated, hopefully I'll find the nub of a tooth poking through in the next few weeks!!


Tooth looks healthy overall. I would inspect the area where you found the tooth very closely for snagpoints, areas where a squirrel could get a tooth wedged in something? You can cover these up or perhaps open it up so it does not present a threat. Hopefully his tooth will grow back.


You might try lightly dusting his blocks with some calcium powder and inspect his teeth weekly to make sure there is not overgrowth occurring on the bottom teeth. If that becomes an issue, let us know.

[SophieSquirrel]

What kind of a cage is he in? Does he pull on the bars with his teeth? A cage with the wrong bar spacing can allow for bar pulling with some squirrels. This leads to breakage or worse yet Odontoma over the long term from repeated trauma to the root. Once reason I only use Critter Nations, California Cages or 1/2X1" mesh for handmade cages. Too large a bar space can also allow for "cribbing" (bar chewing) and galvanized wire contain lead as does most commercial foreign made cages. Again correct spacing as with Critter Nations solves this.

Another reason I prefer a dremel job for malocclusion as trimming with clippers can leave sharp points that can shatter and be swallowed cutting or lodging in intestines.

[pepina]

It's a Critter Nation so hopefully that's not the problem. I have noticed every now and then he leaves something on top of the cage when he's out (maybe a piece of Henry's that he doesn't feel like finishing) and then will try to grab/chew it through the roof of the cage later on when he's inside. I never thought much of this but maybe this is dangerous??



What kind of a cage is he in? Does he pull on the bars with his teeth? A cage with the wrong bar spacing can allow for bar pulling with some squirrels. This leads to breakage or worse yet Odontoma over the long term from repeated trauma to the root. Once reason I only use Critter Nations, California Cages or 1/2X1" mesh for handmade cages. Too large a bar space can also allow for "cribbing" (bar chewing) and galvanized wire contain lead as does most commercial foreign made cages. Again correct spacing as with Critter Nations solves this.

Another reason I prefer a dremel job for malocclusion as trimming with clippers can leave sharp points that can shatter and be swallowed cutting or lodging in intestines.

[TubeDriver]

CritterNations are good, I have a couple.

Examine the bars from the inside, you may find an area he chews on, you can see this as chewed up looking powder coat. You can rub a little water and some red pepper on the chewed up paint, it will dry and just taste nasty. It will irritate him a little if he eats it but will not really hurt him. Just don't overdue it, a little bit of red pepper will deter him. Others here may have better ideas?



It's a Critter Nation so hopefully that's not the problem. I have noticed every now and then he leaves something on top of the cage when he's out (maybe a piece of Henry's that he doesn't feel like finishing) and then will try to grab/chew it through the roof of the cage later on when he's inside. I never thought much of this but maybe this is dangerous??