Broken Tooth in Dogs: Symptoms, Types, and When It Hurts

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-02

Broken tooth in dog symptoms are often subtle. A dog with a fractured tooth may chew on one side, drool, flinch when touched near the mouth, or refuse hard treats. Some fractures look minor but expose the pulp, the sensitive tissue with nerves and blood supply, and those teeth hurt.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

• A fracture that exposes the pulp is painful, even if the tooth looks almost normal from the outside [1].
• Dogs rarely cry out. Watch for one-sided chewing, dropping food, drooling, pawing at the mouth, or avoiding cold water [1].
• Chewing very hard objects is the most common cause, though car accidents and other trauma also fracture teeth [1].
• A fracture with a red or black spot in the center of the broken surface usually means the pulp is exposed [2].
• Any broken tooth deserves a veterinary exam. Some need treatment right away, and some can be monitored [1].

What Broken Tooth in Dog Symptoms Look Like

Signs You Might Notice at Home

Dogs hide mouth pain well. They eat because they are hungry, not because it feels good. The clues are usually behavioral, not dramatic.

Watch for these patterns:

• Chewing on one side of the mouth only
• Drooling more than usual, or drooling with a little blood
• Flinching, pulling away, or yawning oddly when you touch the muzzle
• Dropping food while eating or swallowing pieces whole
• Approaching the food bowl and then walking away [1]
• Avoiding chew toys and hard biscuits they used to love [1]
• Refusing cold water or drinking less than usual [1]
• Pawing at the face or rubbing the muzzle on furniture
• Bad breath that started suddenly
• Swelling under the eye or along the jaw

Some of these signs overlap with other painful conditions. A dog who suddenly guards the head or snaps when approached may be reacting to mouth pain. If your dog's behavior changed with no clear trigger, it may be worth reading How to Tell If Your Dog's Aggression Is Pain-Related. Limping and reluctance to move can also point to pain elsewhere, which is covered in Dog Limping: How to Tell If It's a Sprain or a Break.

What a Normal Tooth Looks Like

A healthy tooth has a smooth, intact crown covered in white enamel. The gum line is pink and tight against the tooth. There is no dark spot, no chip, and no visible hole.

A broken tooth may show:

• A jagged or slanted edge
• A flat, worn-looking surface
• A red dot or black dot in the center of the break [2]
• A missing piece of the crown
• A tooth that looks shorter than the matching tooth on the other side

The red or black spot matters. It usually means the pulp is exposed [2]. That tooth is almost certainly painful.

Why Some Fractures Hurt and Some Do Not

Enamel is not sensitive. Dentin, the layer under enamel, is somewhat sensitive. The pulp, in the center, contains nerves and blood vessels, and it is very sensitive [1].

A small chip that only removes enamel may cause no pain. A fracture that reaches the pulp will hurt, and it can also let bacteria into the tooth. That can lead to infection and an abscess over time [1].

This is why a tooth can look "almost fine" and still be a problem. The damage is on the inside.

Main Causes of a Fractured Tooth in Dogs

Chewing and Trauma

Chewing very hard objects is the most common cause of fractured teeth in dogs [1]. That includes bones, antlers, hooves, hard nylon chews, rocks, and even some very hard dental treats.

Trauma is the other big category. Dogs fracture teeth in car accidents, falls onto hard surfaces, fights with other animals, and by getting caught on fences [2].

Working dogs are at higher risk. In one review, working dogs had about 6.3 traumatic dentoalveolar injuries per dog compared with about 1.3 in non-working dogs, and their risk of having such an injury was three times higher [3].

Which Teeth Break Most Often

In the United States, canine teeth are the most commonly fractured teeth [4]. The maxillary fourth premolar (a large back tooth in the upper jaw) is also frequently affected, especially in small and medium dogs [4].

Back teeth are affected by dental disease more often than front teeth, and upper teeth more severely than lower teeth [5]. That does not mean a broken back tooth is always obvious. It can be hidden behind the lip and easy to miss.

Cause Table

Red Flags That Make It an Emergency

Call an emergency clinic right away if you see:

• Bleeding from the mouth that does not stop with gentle pressure
• A tooth that is hanging by tissue or clearly out of position
• A jaw that looks crooked, droops, or does not close normally
• Swelling around the eye or under the jaw that is growing fast
• Trouble breathing, gagging, or a lot of blood in the saliva
• Collapse, weakness, or other signs of a major accident
• Your dog cannot or will not eat or drink for more than a day

A jaw fracture is possible after major trauma, and severe periodontal disease can even cause the jaw to break on its own around certain teeth [2]. These are not wait-and-see situations.

If your dog is stable but in clear mouth pain, a same-day or next-day appointment is reasonable. If the tooth is broken but your dog is eating and acting normally, a routine dental visit within a few days is still the right move. Early treatment is usually easier than waiting [1].

What You Can Do at Home While You Wait

You cannot fix a broken tooth at home. Your job is to keep your dog comfortable and prevent more damage until the exam.

Safe steps:

• Stop all hard chews, bones, antlers, hooves, and hard toys.
• Offer soft food or moistened kibble if your dog seems reluctant to eat.
• Keep water available at room temperature. Cold water may sting an exposed pulp [1].
• Do not poke, prod, or wiggle the tooth.
• Do not try to pull a broken tooth yourself.
• Do not give human pain medications. Many are toxic to dogs, and the dose depends on your dog's weight and health. Your veterinarian will calculate any medication dose.
• If there is minor bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean gauze pad and go to the vet if it does not stop.
• Take a photo of the tooth if you can do it safely. It helps the veterinarian see what changed.

If your dog also has bad breath, head shaking, or ear discomfort, those can be separate problems. Ear pain can look a lot like mouth pain from a distance, and the signs are described in Dog Ear Infection with Pain: How to Tell and What to Do.

What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test

The Oral Exam

Your veterinarian will look at every tooth, not just the one you noticed. Fractures are often found incidentally during a routine oral exam, meaning the owner never saw the injury happen [1].

The exam includes:

• Checking each tooth for chips, cracks, wear, and mobility
• Looking for a red or black spot that suggests pulp exposure [2]
• Probing the gum line for pockets and checking for periodontal disease
• Checking the bite and jaw movement
• Looking for swelling, draining tracts, or an abscess

Imaging

Dental radiographs (X-rays) are the standard next step. They show the roots, the bone around the tooth, and whether a root is infected or fractured. If a tooth is missing after trauma, imaging can show whether root fragments are still under the gum [2]. In some cases, CT is used for a more detailed look [2].

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on how much of the tooth is fractured, the age of the dog, and how long ago the injury happened [2]. Options include:

• Extraction
• Vital pulp therapy (often used in young dogs with recent fractures)
• Root canal therapy
• A dentinal sealant for shallow fractures [2]

Root canal therapy has a strong track record. In one study of incisor teeth in dogs, root canal treatment was successful in 42 of 45 teeth, with no failures reported over follow-up periods of 6 to 64 months [6]. Another study of 120 fractured upper fourth premolar teeth in small and medium dogs found root canal treatment to be an effective option before extraction [4].

For canine teeth, a full metal crown can protect the tooth after root canal work. In one review of 53 titanium alloy crowns on canine teeth in 25 dogs, retention was 100% and overall tooth survival was 91% [7]. A case report described rebuilding a fractured upper canine in a 5 kg dog with a post, core, and custom crown, with no complications over 22 months [8].

Your veterinarian will discuss which option fits your dog. Cost and follow-up care vary by clinic and by tooth.

Broken Canine Tooth in Dogs

Canine teeth are the long, pointed teeth at the front corners of the mouth. They do the gripping and tearing. They also stick out, which makes them easy to hit.

A broken canine tooth in dogs is often a complicated crown fracture, meaning the pulp is exposed. That is the most common reason incisor teeth needed endodontic treatment in one study, where complicated crown fracture accounted for about half of the cases [6].

These teeth matter for function and for the shape of the face. Extraction is sometimes the right choice, but many veterinarians prefer to save a healthy canine with root canal therapy and a crown [4][7]. Ask about both options so you can decide with full information.

Broken Back Tooth in Dog

Back teeth (premolars and molars) are easy to miss. They sit behind the lip, and your dog may not show obvious signs until the tooth is badly infected.

The upper fourth premolar is a common fracture site, especially in small and medium dogs [4]. Back teeth are also affected by periodontal disease more often than front teeth [5]. That combination, a fracture plus gum disease, can make the tooth unstable.

Signs of a broken back tooth in a dog include:

• Chewing on one side
• Dropping food
• Bad breath
• Swelling under the eye
• Reluctance to open the mouth wide

If the tooth cannot be saved, extraction is common. If it is a functionally important tooth and the roots are healthy, root canal treatment may be an option [4].

Broken Tooth in a Puppy

Puppies have baby teeth that fall out on their own, usually between 3 and 6 months of age. A broken baby tooth is different from a broken adult tooth.

What to know:

• A fractured baby tooth with pulp exposure can still hurt and can still get infected.
• Do not pull a baby tooth yourself. You can damage the adult tooth forming underneath.
• If the broken tooth is a baby tooth, your veterinarian may recommend monitoring it until it falls out, or removing it if it is causing pain or infection.
• If an adult tooth breaks in a puppy, it needs prompt care. Young dogs with recent fractures are often good candidates for vital pulp therapy, which can save the tooth [2].

Puppies chew everything, so prevention matters. Keep rocks, hard plastic, and furniture legs out of reach.

Prevention and Monitoring

You cannot prevent every accident, but you can lower the risk.

• Skip hard chews. Bones, antlers, hooves, and hard nylon toys are common causes of fractures [1].
• Choose chews you can dent with a fingernail.
• Brush your dog's teeth regularly. You will notice chips and breaks early, and brushing helps control plaque.
• Feed a diet with some hard kibble. Dogs on a regular hard kibble diet develop fewer dental problems because chewing has a mechanical cleaning effect [5].
• Schedule dental exams. Gingivitis often shows up around 2 years of age, and periodontitis usually begins between 4 and 6 years of age [5].
• Check the mouth monthly. Lift the lip and look at the front teeth, then the back teeth on both sides.
• Watch working dogs closely. They have a higher rate of tooth injury and wear than non-working dogs [3].

If your dog has a broken tooth that your veterinarian decides to monitor, keep a written note of the date and which tooth. Take a photo. Watch for any new signs of pain, and recheck at the interval your veterinarian recommends.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article cannot tell you whether your dog's specific tooth is painful or infected. Only an exam and imaging can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian.

Contact a veterinarian the same day if you see a broken tooth with a red or black center, bleeding that keeps coming back, swelling near the eye or jaw, or a dog who stops eating.

Go to an emergency clinic now if there is heavy bleeding, a hanging tooth, a crooked jaw, trouble breathing, or signs of a major accident.

Schedule a routine visit within a few days if you find a chip or crack but your dog is eating and acting normally. Early treatment is usually easier than waiting [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog's broken tooth is painful?

A fracture that exposes the pulp is painful, and the pulp is the tissue with nerves and blood supply [1]. Signs include chewing on one side, drooling, avoiding cold water, and refusing hard treats [1]. A red or black spot in the center of the break suggests the pulp is exposed [2].

Can a broken tooth in a dog heal on its own?

No. Enamel and dentin do not regrow in dogs, and an exposed pulp does not seal itself. A shallow chip may cause no problems for a while, but a fracture that reaches the pulp can lead to infection and an abscess [1]. Treatment options include extraction, root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy, or a sealant, depending on the case [2].

Should I pull my dog's broken tooth at home?

No. Pulling a tooth at home can cause bleeding, infection, and broken root fragments left behind. Root fragments under the gum may need imaging to find and remove [2]. A veterinarian has the tools, anesthesia, and imaging to do this safely.

Is a broken tooth in a dog always an emergency?

No. A stable dog with a broken tooth and no heavy bleeding can usually wait for a same-day or next-day appointment. It becomes an emergency with heavy bleeding, a hanging tooth, a crooked jaw, trouble breathing, or other injuries from a major accident. Severe periodontal disease can even cause the jaw to fracture on its own [2].

How long can a dog live with a broken tooth?

Many dogs live for years with a fractured tooth, but that does not mean it is comfortable or safe. A chronic broken tooth can lead to an abscess with swelling and pain [1]. Treatment success rates are high for appropriate cases, so saving or removing the tooth is usually better than leaving it alone [6][4].

Related Articles

• What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Dog With Worms
• Dog Limping: How to Tell If It's a Sprain or a Break
• Dog Ear Infection with Pain: How to Tell and What to Do
• How to Tell If Your Dog's Aggression Is Pain-Related
• What Does An Ear Infection Feel Like For A Dog
• Signs Of Arthritis Pain In Dogs

References

1. Risks from a fractured tooth. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
2. Dentofacial Trauma in Small Animals - Digestive System. Merck Veterinary Manual.
3. Traumatic dentoalveolar injury, tooth wear, and periodontal disease in working and non-working dogs (2018-2022). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026.
4. Outcomes of root canal treatments with three different sealers for 120 fractured maxillary fourth premolar teeth in small-to medium-sized dogs. Frontiers in veterinary science, 2024.
5. Dental Disorders of Dogs - Dog Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
6. Endodontic Treatment Outcome of 45 Incisor Teeth in Dogs Determined by Intraoral Radiography. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2023.
7. Success of Full-Coverage Titanium Alloy Crowns of Canine Teeth in Dogs. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026.
8. Prosthetic reconstruction of a fractured canine tooth in a dog using post and core. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2025.

Further Reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners
• Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information
• American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care