Many possible causes for Lab grinding teeth

Q For the past three weeks, our Labrador retriever has been grinding his teeth every so often throughout the day. It looks as if he is cold and his mouth chatters for a few seconds at a time. He otherwise seems normal. His appetite and thirst seem unaffected, his energy is good, and he hasn’t slowed down despite being almost 10 years old. I am taking him in to our vet next week so I have filmed the dog when he does this weird behavior. Any idea as to what is causing my dog to do this? I have looked at his mouth and nothing seems unusual. His breath hasn’t changed at all and his teeth seem to be in reasonably good shape.

A I have to commend you on taking a video of your dog’s unusual action. On too many occasions, I have had clients complain about something and the animal does not exhibit the signs in the exam room. Using a smartphone or some means of filming and documenting the perceived problem can be helpful to a veterinarian. Grinding of the teeth is called bruxism, and it usually signifies that there is an underlying dental or oral problem going on. This can include misalignment of the jaw, foreign bodies stuck between teeth, tooth decay, loose teeth, gum issues and anything else that might cause mouth pain or discomfort. Despite not being able to see anything wrong in your dog’s mouth, a thorough oral examination is probably warranted and sedation might be required to do so. Other possible causes of teeth grinding include stomach issues, stress and pain from another area of the body. Chattering can be caused by many of the same problems, but a neurological cause might also be applicable. What you are seeing may be a sign of mild seizure activity. Your veterinarian probably will want to see your video and then suggest a thorough examination with bloodwork, X-rays and an oral examination. Since your dog is older, there are many possibilities. Hopefully, it is something that can be easily addressed and resolved.