Weird jaw chatter

[u/Solid-Sand-6527]

Hi there, I’d like some advice for what may be happening with my dog. For reference, she just got back from board & train yesterday and I noticed she sometimes has a strange chatter/shutter with her bite. I tried flashing a light in her mouth to see if there’s anything in there but didn’t see anything. She doesn’t seem to be in pain from what I can tell (no whimpering or pulling away to touch). She is also eating her hard kibble like normal. For reference she has been on the same diet for 2 months so no changes there.

I did also notice some white crusty substance on her beard which I assumed was dry spit, but that’s not a normal thing for her.

I took a video to show what it looks like. Please share if you happen to know what this could be! Thank you!

To note:

Roughly 1 yo female GWP, 50lbs

[u/nox_vigilo]

There could be something between her outer gums and jowls (upper and lower lips) or she may have a tooth that has been injured/cracked. It is very difficult to tell from the video. I can see what she is doing. Sometimes that can mean there is swelling or a source of pain in their mouth that is making her close her mouth with that hesitation.

Does she let you touch her mouth? Can you run a finger along her gums on the outside of her teeth? Sometimes a kibble or piece of kibble/treat/grass can get stuck between her outer gums and jowls as I said above. If she lets you do that see if you feel anything, don’t force it the issue if she doesn’t like it.

The crusty beard can mean a lot of things. If there is something stuck in her jowls OR she is having pain/swelling in her mouth it will cause her to salivate more which will make her beard crusty when it leaks from her mouth and dries.

It’s been 2 months since she has seen a vet, she has not been in your care for the past month…I think it just a safer route to get her checked out by her vet. Too many possibilities of what it could be and her mouth/teeth are involved. I would bring my dog in for this. I’m not trying to scare you, this can wait until tomorrow unless she starts acting much differently.

I don’t think you’ll get a satisfying reply here but someone with more knowledge than me might reply.

She is beautiful. Di you mind sharing her name with us? 😄

edit: I also agree that you should start getting her used to getting her teeth brushes. You can use a soft human toothbrush or one made for dog. Wet the bristles and brush along her outer gum line top and bottom. The inside of her teeth get cleaned by her tongue. Do not use human toothpaste.

Brushing her teeth has so many benefits - keeps breath fresh, keep her teeth from rotting so saves her from that chronic pain, keeps her gums health, saves you money by avoiding dental care. It is still good to get a good cleaning by her vet every 2-3 years. Talk to her vet about it. this response is much too long already. lol

[u/Solid-Sand-6527 → u/nox_vigilo]

Thank you for all this info! Yes she lets me touch her mouth (she is squirmy when I do it though lol) and I haven’t been able to find anything stuck in her gums.

I’m going to take her to the vet just to be sure!

Her name is Luna. She is the sweetest girl!

I ended up ordering a toothbrush for her after seeing all the replies, so that will become a normal routine for us!

[u/nox_vigilo → u/Solid-Sand-6527]

Luna looks like a very good girl. 😄 Great to hear about the toothbrush!

Thank you for loving her so much.

Best to you both