Guinea pigs have just one set of enamel all through their lives, that are continually rising. This makes them akin to teething puppies who need to put all the pieces of their mouths! Fixed chewing helps to grind their enamel down, maintaining them at a wholesome size.
In fact, guinea pigs may also run into dental points attributable to their ever-growing enamel, together with overgrowth and misalignment.
On this article, we’ll talk about all the pieces it is best to find out about your guinea pig’s enamel, from what number of they need to the right way to hold them wholesome.
How Many Enamel Do Guinea Pigs Have?
Guinea pigs have 20 enamel in whole. 4 of those are incisors, or the entrance enamel that you just see each day. These enamel are lengthy, skinny, and constructed to tear off bites of meals.
Additionally they have 4 premolars, that are the enamel closest to the incisors, and 12 molars positioned within the backs of their mouths. These enamel are used to chew up meals in order that it’s straightforward to swallow.
Do Guinea Pigs’ Enamel Develop Again?
Guinea pigs are elodonts, which implies their enamel proceed to develop all through their lives. Their enamel will develop nearly three inches per 12 months! A wholesome guinea pig with a very good weight loss plan will put on their enamel down at an identical fee, stopping overgrowth.
Veterinarians can trim overgrown enamel, however this isn’t one thing it is best to ever strive at house. As well as, continually needing to trim the enamel signifies both a dietary or dental problem that ought to be addressed if attainable.
Guinea pigs solely have one set of enamel, and it isn’t regular for them to fall out. They gained’t ever change a set of “child enamel” like human toddlers or puppies.
In case your guinea pig is lacking enamel or has a damaged tooth, please see your veterinarian as quickly as attainable. This could trigger ache or cease them from consuming usually. They may additionally want their enamel trimmed since they can not grind in opposition to each other to put on down naturally.
Find out how to Hold Your Guinea Pigs’ Enamel Wholesome
Guinea pigs’ wild counterparts don’t have anybody to trim their enamel for them however as an alternative grind their enamel down by chewing. A correct weight loss plan is sufficient to put on the enamel down.
An important side is fixed entry to grass or grass hay, which guinea pigs eat continually to maintain their digestive system working and to grind down their enamel. Getting sufficient of nutritional vitamins C and A can also be vital to dental well being.
In fact, guinea pigs additionally like to chew nearly all the pieces else in sight. I favor to keep away from plastic gadgets because of this and as an alternative present hides and toys manufactured from guinea pig-safe wooden reminiscent of aspen, oak, or willow.
Please don’t present salt licks or mineral blocks, as your guinea pig doesn’t want a lot extra salt of their weight loss plan, and chewing on these things is dangerous for his or her well being.
You’ll additionally need to keep away from nuts, seeds, and different exhausting gadgets in your guinea pig’s weight loss plan. These things can crack your piggies’ enamel and likewise pose a choking hazard.
Ought to I Brush my Guinea Pigs’ Enamel?
If in case you have canine, you seemingly know that they need to have their enamel brushed frequently along with common cleanings on the vet.
Nonetheless, this isn’t obligatory for guinea pigs since their enamel are continually rising. An important facets of their dental care are a very good weight loss plan and common enamel checks.
Find out how to Examine Your Guinea Pigs’ Enamel
Try to be performing routine, at-home well being checks as soon as weekly or month-to-month on every of your guinea pigs. An vital step in a well being examine is to have a look at your guinea pigs’ enamel for any indicators of dental issues.
In case your guinea pig reveals any modifications in urge for food, it is best to check out their enamel whereas additionally scheduling an appointment along with your vet as quickly as attainable.
You’ll be able to examine your guinea pig’s enamel by first washing your arms, after which inserting your piggy on a stable floor (or having a helper maintain them of their lap). Gently maintain their mouth open utilizing your finger and thumb, and study the enamel you’ll be able to see. It’s okay when you can’t see all the best way to the again molars, as this may be difficult with out veterinary gear.
When you’re achieved, give your piggy a deal with. This helps them to affiliate your dealing with with good issues like veggies or pea flakes!
Signs to Examine For:
- Take a look at the colour of the enamel. They need to be white, by no means yellow.
- Examine for overgrowth. That is best to see within the entrance incisors, however you might also have the ability to inform if the close by enamel are getting too lengthy by gently opening your guinea pig’s mouth.
- Make sure the enamel are even. Neither the highest or backside paired tooth ought to be longer than the opposite.
- Search for cracks within the enamel. There ought to by no means be any cracks or chips.
- Examine for discharge (drool), swelling, or unevenness across the mouth.
Checking your guinea pigs’ enamel periodically is vital and can assist you detect dental points earlier than they develop into symptomatic, or trigger your piggy to cease consuming.
Nonetheless, it’s additionally vital to do not forget that you can not at all times spot dental issues with the bare eye. It may be tough for even veterinarians to see the again molars since guinea pigs have small mouths and infrequently aren’t probably the most cooperative sufferers.
As well as, radiographs are wanted to see issues with the roots of the enamel and any issues occurring beneath the gums.
Along with at-home well being checks, your veterinarian ought to check out your guinea pigs’ enamel throughout their annual check-ups.
Widespread Enamel Issues in Guinea Pigs
Overgrown Enamel
Overgrown enamel are one of the widespread dental points we see in guinea pigs. That is usually the results of poor weight loss plan, together with not having fixed entry to hay. It will possibly additionally happen when a guinea pig isn’t consuming sufficient attributable to an underlying sickness, or when the enamel develop improperly (reminiscent of in instances of malocclusion).
Whereas your veterinarian can trim the enamel, it’s additionally vital to handle the basis trigger and, when attainable, cease the overgrowth from reoccurring sooner or later.
Lacking or Damaged Enamel
Guinea pig’s enamel mostly break when they’re overgrown or frail from a poor weight loss plan. Normally, the break itself is brought on by an harm, reminiscent of falling and hitting their tooth on a tough object.
Even lacking enamel will usually develop again, however your guinea pig might have supportive care within the meantime. The very first thing it is best to do after noticing a damaged or lacking tooth is to schedule a vet appointment.
This situation may be fairly painful, and may also cease your guinea pig from consuming usually. The paired tooth could not put on down as successfully and should should be trimmed often till the lacking or damaged tooth grows again.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion happens when the enamel or jaw develop into misaligned. That is usually brought on by or contributes to overgrowth. It may also be a genetic situation.
Your guinea pig’s enamel ought to develop straight up and down, with out curving or slanting to 1 aspect. They need to meet evenly within the center.
Your veterinarian can assist deal with your guinea pig with malocclusion by trimming the enamel, offering recommendation on weight loss plan, and probably performing surgical procedure if the situation is extreme.
Dental Abscesses or Ulcers
Mouth abscesses or ulcers are pretty widespread in guinea pigs. Ulcers are sores that may develop on the pores and skin inside your guinea pigs’ mouth, together with their tongue, lips, or gums.
Abscesses are swollen areas brought on by an infection below the pores and skin. They are often positioned wherever within the mouth, with these in the back of the mouth having the potential to make swallowing or respiratory tough.
Any sores in your piggy’s mouth ought to be handled by your veterinarian. Untreated sores can develop into contaminated, or infections from abscesses could unfold to different components of the physique.
Closing Ideas
In conclusion, an important issues you are able to do on your guinea pigs’ enamel are to supply a nutritious diet, loads of issues to chew, and common well being checks each at house and on the vet.
For those who discover something amiss along with your guinea pig’s enamel, or their urge for food, scheduling a vet appointment to have their enamel checked out is the very best determination you may make.
