Hi everyone! I'm Dr Sam, a piggy-passionate veterinarian, and today we're going to be talking about guinea pig teeth!

Guinea Pig Teeth Overview

What a lot of people don't realise is guinea pigs actually have 20 teeth, not just the four incisors that we see at the front. They have four incisors, two at the top and two at the bottom, but they also have 16 premolars and molars that live towards the back of their mouths, generally along the side of their cheek.

Function of Guinea Pig Teeth

The function of the incisors is usually to pick up food, grab things to bite, and sometimes even for fighting. On the other hand, the cheek teeth are used to grind the food down into small pieces for easier swallowing.

Unique Dental Characteristics of Guinea Pig Teeth

One of the most unique things about guinea pig teeth is that they have what we call open-rooted dentition, meaning that their teeth never stop growing. This is particularly important because if guinea pigs aren't wearing down their teeth enough, they can overgrow, leading to difficulties in eating and potentially life-threatening conditions.

Problems Caused by Overgrown Guinea Pig Teeth

When guinea pig teeth overgrow, they are unable to occlude properly, leading to further overgrowth. In severe cases, the teeth can grow to the point where they trap the tongue, making it impossible for the guinea pig to move it properly. This makes eating and chewing extremely difficult.

You may also notice that if the back teeth are overgrown, the guinea pig may be unable to close its mouth properly. Similar to humans, it becomes very hard to chew, swallow, and eat without closing the mouth and using the tongue.

Signs of Dental Disease in Guinea Pigs

If your guinea pig has dental disease or tooth overgrowth, some signs to look out for include:

• Trouble eating
• Weight loss
• Dropping food
• General lethargy

While incisor disease can sometimes occur on its own, it is often secondary to more severe dental issues with the cheek teeth. If you notice anything unusual about your guinea pig's incisors, such as an uneven growth angle, it’s best to have a vet check them out to ensure no underlying issues.

Treatment and Prognosis for Guinea Pigs

Dental surgery is commonly performed on guinea pigs to treat dental disease. Early detection generally leads to a good prognosis. However, in severe cases where significant changes to the teeth and jaw have occurred, the prognosis may be more guarded. Multiple dental procedures may be necessary throughout the guinea pig's lifetime to maintain normal tooth length and function.

Preventative Care

The best thing you can do to keep your guinea pig's teeth healthy at home is to provide unlimited amounts of grass or hay, preferably in long strands. This gives them something to chew on and helps wear down their back teeth.

Additionally, a high vitamin C diet is crucial for their dental health. Offering a good-quality pellet and vitamin C-rich vegetables will further support their well-being.

We hope you learned something new about guinea pig dental care. Don’t forget to follow us on socials and join our mailing list for more fun piggy content!