Post by Dawn - Admin on Aug 30, 2006 13:09:41 GMT
Guinea pigs have 20 teeth:
A pair of upper and lower incisors
No canines (instead, a gap called the diastema)
A pair of upper and lower premolars
Three pairs of upper and lower molars
A guinea pig's teeth are "open rooted" and grow continuously.
The enamel is white in color and the front teeth can be sharp. Fat pads in the cheeks make examination of the molars difficult.
Here is a photo of Beth supporting a very healthy set of teeth.
Buccal pad separators are designed to hold the cheeks back, aiding examination.
Good teeth are essential to your pet's health. A nutritious diet and adequate vitamin C will help them grow strong. In a healthy guinea pig, the biting, chewing and grinding of food (especially hays, grasses, and abrasive foods) will normally keep the teeth at the proper length -- a length which varies somewhat from one guinea pig to another. Routine tooth trimming is not necessary and may interfere with your guinea pig's ability to eat.
How do I know if my guinea pig's teeth are okay?
Observe any changes in how your guinea pig eats food.
Examine the incisors regularly for breaks and irregular wear (like slanted teeth) during your weekly health check.
Weigh your cavy weekly! Weight loss can be an early indicator of problems like malocclusion. Read MORE
What kind of dental problems can guinea pigs have?
Some of the problems that require treatment are:
Elongated Roots & Malocclusion
Who can fix my pet's teeth if there's a problem?
An experienced veterinarian or animal dentist can help deal with problems that arise. Check The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry to see if there is a veterinary dentist nearby. If your vet is unfamiliar with guinea pig teeth, he/she can also consult with a veterinary dentist.
What if a tooth breaks?
Usually the teeth will grow back fine on their own and do not require clipping.
Are there genetic tooth problems?
Yes. Some guinea pigs are born without teeth.
Some malocclusion is believed to be genetic, especially in cavies under two years of age. And rarely, a guinea pig grows an extra set of front teeth similar to the "peg teeth" found on a rabbit. The second set may erupt later in life.
What devices or tools are used on guinea pigs?
The Chin Sling can provide support for a weak jaw, encourages normal wear of the teeth, and helps build muscle.
Buccal pad separators are used to examine the back teeth.
Source: guinea lynx
A pair of upper and lower incisors
No canines (instead, a gap called the diastema)
A pair of upper and lower premolars
Three pairs of upper and lower molars
A guinea pig's teeth are "open rooted" and grow continuously.
The enamel is white in color and the front teeth can be sharp. Fat pads in the cheeks make examination of the molars difficult.
Here is a photo of Beth supporting a very healthy set of teeth.
Buccal pad separators are designed to hold the cheeks back, aiding examination.
Good teeth are essential to your pet's health. A nutritious diet and adequate vitamin C will help them grow strong. In a healthy guinea pig, the biting, chewing and grinding of food (especially hays, grasses, and abrasive foods) will normally keep the teeth at the proper length -- a length which varies somewhat from one guinea pig to another. Routine tooth trimming is not necessary and may interfere with your guinea pig's ability to eat.
How do I know if my guinea pig's teeth are okay?
Observe any changes in how your guinea pig eats food.
Examine the incisors regularly for breaks and irregular wear (like slanted teeth) during your weekly health check.
Weigh your cavy weekly! Weight loss can be an early indicator of problems like malocclusion. Read MORE
What kind of dental problems can guinea pigs have?
Some of the problems that require treatment are:
Elongated Roots & Malocclusion
Who can fix my pet's teeth if there's a problem?
An experienced veterinarian or animal dentist can help deal with problems that arise. Check The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry to see if there is a veterinary dentist nearby. If your vet is unfamiliar with guinea pig teeth, he/she can also consult with a veterinary dentist.
What if a tooth breaks?
Usually the teeth will grow back fine on their own and do not require clipping.
Are there genetic tooth problems?
Yes. Some guinea pigs are born without teeth.
Some malocclusion is believed to be genetic, especially in cavies under two years of age. And rarely, a guinea pig grows an extra set of front teeth similar to the "peg teeth" found on a rabbit. The second set may erupt later in life.
What devices or tools are used on guinea pigs?
The Chin Sling can provide support for a weak jaw, encourages normal wear of the teeth, and helps build muscle.
Buccal pad separators are used to examine the back teeth.
Source: guinea lynx
Then we should be just fine! He has hay 24/7 haha. I thought that was for their molars only, though, but if it helps wear down his incisors as well, then that's great!!! Thanks!
