Leaving your dentures or retainers lying around when there are dogs about is likely to result in a rather sticky end for your dental prosthesis. The same rule applies to whitening trays and mouth guards. When the dog is about, don't take them out--or simply place them somewhere where your dog will be unable to reach them.
Otherwise, they may end up in pieces as Aussie greyhound trainer, Keiron Butler, discovered to his dismay when he realized his upper dentures had been devoured along with the leftover pizza! But what makes your oral appliance (mouth guard) or dental prosthesis (denture) so delicious to dogs?
They May Smell Like Recently Eaten Food
Since you likely don't clean your teeth--nor should you--right after every meal and snack, your dentures or retainers likely soak up the scents of any recently eaten food. Remember, a dog's sense of smell is 40 times stronger than that of a human. That means leaving your dentures or retainers lying around even for a few minutes is tantamount to leaving a piece of chicken within easy reach.
Orthodontic Retainers are Like Chew Toys
Retainers and mouth guards are of the same chewy consistency as a dog's chew toy. To a young dog then, your retainer is too good an opportunity to pass up. It doesn't help that clear retainers are also made of the same material; Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, as your typical chewy dog toy. So unless you want to find the remains of your retainer lying scattered around your dog's bed, you had better put them in their case, somewhere well out of reach of your dog.
If your retainer has fallen foul of Fido, replace it as soon as possible. Many dental offices can make you a replacement the same day if necessary. Don't risk a relapse by going without your retainer otherwise all those months spent in braces will have been for nothing. Likewise, sports guards, night guards, and whitening trays are no substitute for a retainer. Get in touch with your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Is Your Denture Repairable?
Dogs don't usually devour dentures whole. They usually leave at least some of the prosthesis lying around. Naturally, you will want to either get them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If the dentures are merely cracked and missing one or two teeth, a denture repair kit might provide you with a temporary solution. These kits include some temporary glue that you can use to reattach teeth and seal cracks.
However, they are not a permanent solution. You'll need to book an appointment with your dentist to have them repaired. If they are beyond repair, your dentist may be able to provide you with some immediate dentures for the time being, until your permanent ones are ready.
If your dentures or retainers have become a dog's dinner, get in touch with your dentist. As long as it is a weekday, you should be able to get a replacement the same day.
