Pet Dental Emergencies We See Most Often, And How to Avoid Them

Dental disease usually builds gradually, but some oral problems strike suddenly and painfully. A pet who was eating normally yesterday may refuse food today, or a dog who loved fetch may suddenly yelp and paw at their face. These are more than minor inconveniences- they’re dental emergencies that require urgent veterinary care.

At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, our team sees these emergencies every week. Knowing what to watch for and how to prevent them can protect your pet from unnecessary suffering and help you avoid stressful, costly crises.

Fractured Teeth: Painful and Easily Missed

Fractured teeth are one of the most common dental emergencies. Pets often break teeth on antlers, bones, rocks, and other dangerous dog chews.

Even a small chip can be a big problem. If the tip of the tooth breaks off and exposes the pulp, the nerve is left dangling in the open air. That hurts- badly. Once exposed, bacteria invade, leading to infection and abscesses

If caught immediately, some teeth can be saved with a root canal or other treatments. Otherwise, extraction is often the only way to remove the pain. From the outside, some fractures look minor, but hidden damage can be severe- which is why dental radiographs are part of every dental emergency exam at our hospital.

Abscesses and Sudden Swelling

Few things alarm pet owners more than waking up to find one side of their dog or cat’s face swollen. Dental abscesses are a common culprit. Bacteria on the tooth slowly travel deeper until they reach the root, where infection builds up.

Some teeth, like the large carnassial tooth, have roots that extend under the eye. When infection here forms an abscess, swelling can push up into the face or even behind the eyeball. These retrobulbar abscesses cause intense pain. Pets may refuse to chew, hold their mouths open, or be unable to close their jaws.

At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, our urgent care team can address these cases the same day, preventing infection from spreading deeper into the body.

Tooth Dislocation or Sudden Loss

Sometimes a tooth isn’t just fractured- it’s dislocated or knocked out entirely. Tooth dislocation and sudden loss may happen after blunt trauma, but also when teeth get caught. We’ve seen cases where a tooth snagged in another dog’s collar during play, or when a pet panicked after getting stuck in a toy or bone.

Sudden tooth loss leaves an open wound that bleeds and allows bacteria inside. In some cases, it can even cause an oronasal fistula– a hole where the tooth was, that now exposes the sinus cavity. Without treatment, infection follows. In some cases, fragments may even be aspirated into the lungs.

Jaw Fractures and Dislocations

Jaw fractures are devastating emergencies. They can occur from accidents, chewing mishaps, or from bone weakened by periodontal disease.

Very small dogs and long-nosed breeds like Dachshunds are particularly vulnerable. Once periodontal disease erodes the jawbone, even mild chewing can break it. Some cases are so severe they require a mandibulectomy, or removal of part of the lower jaw, because there isn’t enough bone left to heal.

Dislocations may also occur if the jaw is forced open too far or becomes stuck. Pets in these situations are usually frantic, unable to shut their mouths, and in extreme pain.

Oral Lacerations and Stuck Objects

Dogs and cats explore the world with their mouths, which makes oral injuries common. Toys with sharp edges, sticks, or foreign objects can cause painful cuts on the gums, tongue, or roof of the mouth.

Other times, objects wedge between teeth or across the palate. Some pets get their lower canines stuck in hollow toys or bones, locking their jaws open until someone helps them.

These situations are not only painful but also frightening for pets. Prevention is simple: supervise chewing, remove toys with sharp edges, and use the “thumbnail test”- if you can’t dent a toy with your nail, it’s too hard and risks damaging teeth.

Oral Tumors: Emergencies Hidden in Plain Sight

Oral tumors can look like swollen gums or broken teeth, which is why they often go unnoticed until they bleed or interfere with chewing. Without regular oral exams, they may only be discovered once they’re advanced.

Routine dental cleanings at St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care always include full-mouth digital X-rays and thorough oral evaluations to detect tumors before they become painful emergencies.

Oral Ulcerations and Severe Inflammation

Some emergencies aren’t caused by trauma, but by painful inflammatory conditions. sticks make the gums raw and ulcerated, leaving pets unwilling to eat or drink.

Sometimes oral disease is only noticed after secondary signs appear- like drooling, weight loss, or loss of appetite.

At our hospital, we combine urgent care with long-term management plans, using both internal medicine expertise and dentistry to keep these conditions controlled.

How to Avoid Dental Emergencies

The good news: many of these emergencies are preventable.

  • Safer chew choices: No antlers, bones, rocks, or sticks. If you can’t dent it with your thumbnail, it’s unsafe.
  • Routine dental care: Our dental cleanings include anesthesia, scaling under the gumline, polishing, and full-mouth digital X-rays to prevent bone loss and hidden infections.
  • Regular oral exams: Annual or semiannual wellness visits help us catch problems before they escalate.
  • Watch for early warning signs: drooling, pawing at the face, swelling, bad breath, or changes in appetite.

With transparent dental pricing and same-day urgent care availability, families in St. Petersburg don’t have to choose between great care and affordability.

FAQs: Pet Dental Emergencies

My dog’s face suddenly swelled overnight- could this be a dental abscess?
 Yes. Abscesses can appear suddenly and require urgent treatment to relieve pain and clear infection.

What should I do if my pet breaks a tooth?
 See a veterinarian right away. Even a small chip that exposes the pulp is excruciating. Some teeth can be saved with root canals, but extraction is often needed.

Can pets really get their jaw stuck in toys?
 Yes. Lower canines can lodge in hollow toys or bones, leaving pets unable to free themselves.

Are oral tumors always visible?
 No. Many are hidden beneath the gumline and only discovered during dental exams or X-rays.

How do I know if a chew toy is safe?
 If you can’t dent it with your thumbnail, it’s too hard and risks fracturing a tooth.

Real Medicine, Real Access, Real Partnership

Dental emergencies are sudden, painful, and frightening- but with prevention, many can be avoided. At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we provide same-day urgent dental care, full-mouth radiographs, and affordable treatment options.

As a locally owned, family-run hospital, our philosophy is simple: real medicine, real access, and real partnership. We explain every option clearly, provide upfront pricing, and empower you to make the best decisions for your pet’s health.

If your pet has signs of oral pain or if you’d like to prevent emergencies before they start, schedule a dental consultation today. We’re here to help you when you and your pet need it the most.