Rabbit Tooth Problems Can Be Painful

Domestic rabbits belong to a small group of animals that have continuously growing or open-rooted teeth. This means that all the teeth in the mouth-including the incisors in the front of the mouth and the premolars and molars (called cheek teeth)-will continue to grow throughout the rabbit's lifetime. The reason for this is that rabbits in the wild eat a large amount of coarse, fibrous material such as dried plants and poor-quality greens. The teeth are constantly worn against each other and against the coarse diet; they would soon wear out if not constantly replaced. If a rabbit's teeth and diet are normal, then the teeth will wear down at a constant rate that is equal to the growth rate of the tooth. If, however, a rabbit's teeth do not meet correctly or the rabbit does not eat enough roughage, then dental problems can occur.

Malocclusion is the term for teeth that don't meet correctly. Because a rabbit's teeth are constantly growing, malocclusion can cause small points to grow on the teeth from uneven wear. These points can irritate the tongue or cheek and cause eating to be a painful experience. Overgrown incisors can actually grow into the opposing jaw or lip. Malocclusion of the incisors is easy to see if you take the time to look carefully at your pet's front teeth. If you see that one incisor (left or right) is longer than the other, you should contact your veterinarian. It is normal for the upper incisors to be about twice as long as the lower incisors. Without specialized equipment, it is impossible to view the cheek teeth of a rabbit, so your veterinarian will have to do that for you. It should be part of your rabbit's yearly physical exam.

Signs (depend on the teeth involved and the severity of the overgrowth):

• decreased appetite
• dropping food from mouth after chewing it
• approaching food, seemingly interested in eating, but not actually eating or swallowing the food

Treatment (depends on the teeth that are affected and the cause of the malocclusion):

Periodic Trimming:

• Incisor malocclusions may be trimmed periodically with a dental drill or other cutting device. This usually requires anesthesia and should probably be performed by a clinician. The teeth usually need to be trimmed every 3-4 months.

• Cheek teeth can be trimmed periodically, but must be done under sedation using specialized tools. This cannot be performed easily at home.

Surgery:

• Incisors can be removed surgically. Most rabbits do very well. Check with your veterinarian.

• Cheek teeth are more difficult and are rarely removed unless there is a tooth root abscess or other severe problem.