Blog

No, we aren’t making this up. Wesley, a golden retriever puppy living in Michigan, was fitted with braces. Photos on the news showed his cute furry face and the braces on his teeth. After the story broke, it went viral, probably because of how odd a story it seems. What is the likelihood of anyone putting braces on a dog?

Well, believe it or not, the dentist approved the procedure for the same reason many humans get braces: the pup could not bite and chew because his teeth closed in the back but not in the front. In other words, his teeth were misaligned. His teeth were not functional, and that affected eating and, eventually, his health.

Same goes for humans

For humans misaligned teeth can also affect speaking as well as eating and overall health. Poorly aligned teeth can also be detrimental to the health of the teeth, creating places where food gets trapped and bacteria promotes decay and cavities.

The reasons for braces are most often based in function, not just to achieve a nice smile, although that is often a very happy result.

That being said, it’s not likely there will be a rush of dog owners straightening their dog’s teeth to give them a nice smile. The attending doctors at Harborfront Hospital for Animals say that Wesley will only be wearing the braces for a few weeks. The braces don’t seem to bother him at all, but after they come off and he can eat better, his life will be changed for the better.

Cosmetic Dentistry

That’s what braces and Cosmetic Dentistry does—it changes lives for the better.

Cosmetic Dentistry and 6 Month Smiles are services available at Southeast Family Dental. A nice smile is a real confidence booster for many. But cosmetic dentistry is more than just aligning teeth for a nice smile. Chipped teeth or stained and broken teeth can be treated with modern state-of-the-art tools and techniques to rejuvenate the appearance and function of your teeth. Our patients have told us that an attractive smile and refreshed confidence have changed their lives.