It’s not uncommon for dogs to cry when they open their mouths wide. There are a number of reasons why your dog may be crying when you open its mouth wide. Perhaps it is experiencing pain in its mouth or throat, or it may be feeling anxious about having its mouth open. If your dog cries when opening its mouth wide for the first time, he or she may be feeling scared or confused. Whatever the reason, it is important to take your dog to the vet to rule out any medical causes for its distress.
What Causes a Dog to Cry When Opening Its Mouth Wide?
When dogs cry, they might be trying to tell us something is wrong. Dogs sometimes cry when they are hungry because they want us to know they need food. If you think your dog is hungry, give it some food.
But if your dog is crying and opening its mouth wide, it might be in pain. Here, you have to figure out the reason for the pain. If you don’t get it, take your dog to the vet. On the other hand, if you manage to figure out the reason for the pain, that’s good because you can tell the reason to the vet doctor about it for quick understanding.
Generally, dogs suffer from jaw pain for some common reason. These are dental problems, infections, and oral injuries. Let’s see why these problems occur and how you can deal with them!
Dental Problems
Dental problems are one of the most common health problems in dogs. They can cause pain and discomfort and can lead to other health problems if left untreated. The most common dental problems in dogs are plaque, periodontal disease, and fractured teeth. Let’s look at these dental problems individually.
1. Plaque
Plaque disease is a condition that can affect dogs of any age but is most commonly seen in older dogs. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums and can eventually lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Plaque can be removed with regular brushing, but if it is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which is more difficult to remove. If plaque and tartar are not removed, they can eventually lead to periodontal disease, which is a serious condition that can cause tooth loss and other health problems.
If this happens, your dog can feel pain while opening his mouth and can cry for help.
2. Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease may be another reason for dental problems that can make your dog cry while opening his mouth. This is a serious infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss.
It is caused by bacteria that build up in plaque, a sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can irritate and inflame the gums.
Over time, the gums can pull away from the teeth, creating pockets that become infected. The bones and tissues that support the teeth can also be affected.
3. Fractured Teeth
Dogs that love to play and have a habit of chewing things can fracture their teeth while playing or eating bones. This isn’t a big matter to worry about. You can simply remove fractured teeth with the help of a vet. But if your dog’s teeth get fractured and you fail to know, your dog may suffer too much pain while eating or opening his/her mouth widely.
An untreated tooth fracture could cause oral infection. If you discover that your dog has fractured teeth, contact your veterinarian immediately and have the fractured teeth removed.
Infections
Dogs’ mouth infections are one of the most common problems that veterinarians see. So, the infection could be a potential cause of your dog’s crying while opening its mouth. The oral infection causes a serious amount of pain and can put your dog to death if untreated.
The most common type of infection is gingivitis. This is a type of inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is usually caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food and bacteria that forms on the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar can irritate the gums and lead to gingivitis.
As gingivitis can occur due to plaque buildup, you can prevent this by cleaning and scaling your dog’s teeth with the help of a vet. After cleaning your dog’s teeth plaque, it is important to brush your dog frequently to prevent further plaque growth.
If plaque turns into gingivitis and remains untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease that can damage the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth. Periodontitis is usually treated with a combination of professional cleaning, scaling, and root planing.
Injuries
Dogs’ mouth injuries are a common occurrence and can range from minor to serious. The most common type of mouth injury is a cut or scrape, usually from playing too roughly with another dog or from chewing on something hard.
More serious mouth injuries can occur from dog fights, car accidents, or others. These types of injuries can result in broken teeth or even jaw fractures. Mouth injuries can be very painful for dogs and can make it difficult for them to eat or drink.
If your dog cries while opening his/her mouth wide, the most common reason could be pain due to injury. And if you think that your dog has a mouth injury, it is important to take them to the vet right away for treatment. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury. For minor injuries, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication, and for major injuries, your dog may need surgery.
How to Help a Dog That Is Crying When Opening Its Mouth Wide
When dogs cry, they might be trying to tell us something is wrong. A dog may cry when he or she is hungry, stressed, or afraid, in addition to when they are in pain. So you have to ensure what the reason for your dog’s crying is.
Dogs sometimes cry when they are hungry because they want us to know they need food. So, here you can help your dog by providing enough food.
On the other hand, if your dog is crying due to stress and fear, You can help them out by rubbing their bodies and hugging them. That’s how you can make your dog more comfortable, and your dog will get used to it.
However, for pain-related issues, loving and caring may not work that much. To help your dog from getting into pain, the best option is to take him/her to the vet as soon as you can. Before taking him to the vet, you can make your dog calm and relaxed by rubbing and showing love. It is scientifically proven that having a loved one beside you when suffering from pain gives you more strength to fight with pain.
Conclusion
Knowing your dog is difficult as they come with different personalities and habits. But like humans, all dogs can cry for various reasons. If you have more than one pet, then you may have experienced dog crying before. After reading the whole article carefully, it must be clear, why a dog cries when opening its mouth wide. Do you have any further queries? Let us know in the comments!