Thanksgiving Dental Tragedy
I recently enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, but you wouldn’t believe what happened to me.
Imagine this.
Family and friends are huddled around the table.
It’s overflowing with food.
Creamy mashed potatoes.
Cheesy yummy squash.
Brioche- a fabulous french bread
Vegetables all laden with seasoning and extra butter.
The gravy is calling me.
A wonderfully cooked goose.’
It’s 7:30PM and I am starving- the cooker of the birds was a dad who started cooking a little late- he’s usually the ‘provider’- not the kitchen person…
But that’s OK
Everything is finally ready
And…did I mention..I am STARVING
I lather my food with gravy
I bite into the largest piece of meat.
And I find this:
Which then leads to this:
( That’s a picture of my broken tooth!!)
I have never eaten goose before- this may be the first and last time.
The goose came from our friend who happens to be a hunter. It’s not my thing, I have never hunted.
We choose not to discuss it- I would suspect that many of you have friends which have beliefs you don’t ascribe to.. we deal with it in the ‘guy just don’t talk about it way’
Which in itself works for me- I just wish that some of the females of the world would see the value in this lack of communication- but that is probably for another blog post 🙂
P.S. Here are a few tips that you can use if your dog or cat has any dental issues…
VITAMINS. Vitamin C is used by many alternative practitioners for dental disease. It is an immune stimulant and helps the production of normal gum and teeth tissue. The starting cat dose is 100 mg daily. The starting dog dose is 100 mg per 10 lbs daily. If your pet gets diarrhea, lower the dose.
SUPPLEMENTS. For cats with recurring gingivitis, lactoferrin can be helpful. The dose is 1/2 a 350 mg capsule daily mixed in syrup or baby food. Propolis is a product of honeybees and is an oral antiseptic. It is applied topically to the inflamed gums.
PLAQUE OFF. This is a completely natural product which is suitable for both cats and dogs. It is a special type of seaweed which has been found to have specific beneficial effects for oral care. It comes in a granulated form which is easily added to food every day. It is rich in natural iodine and contains important vitamins and minerals and is free from artificial colors, preservatives, gluten and sugar. You can get more information here: www.plaqueoff.com.
HERBAL TINCTURE. A tincture of OREGON GRAPE, GOLDENSEAL and MYRRH can be liberally applied to your pet’s gums with a cotton swab.
ARNICA. For acute pain/injuries to the mouth or teeth. I have used it myself for a tooth root abscess. Dose 30C, 4 times daily.
P.P.S. I was popping the Arnica after chewing on the pellet. Today I am going back to the dentist..
Dr Andrew
I can relate – I’ve never liked goose – and I remember about 18 years ago, when I broke my tooth eating candy – my nephew, who was 2 at the time, still remembers “Auntie Ev’s broken tooth”Actually, all the best things about a turkey dinner are the side dishes – stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes etc.
The side dishes really are the best part anyway. Funny how a little tooth trouble can become a family memory for years. A good reminder that dental health matters for us and our pets too!
Bummer about your tooth! That would be my luck. Thank-you for the pet dental tips though. I recently took in a stray Tom cat. At times it looks like it hurts when he eats. He is a young cat. I’ve mentioned it to my vet but I think she thought I was goofy. I’ll have to give some of your suggestions a try.
Cats often hide dental pain, so if he looks uncomfortable eating, it is worth checking his mouth closely. You are not being goofy at all for noticing. Hopefully these tips help support him along the way.
I hope that your dentist is also holistic because if you get that teeth fixed with amalgams then you are filling your body with mercury which is toxic waste.
I hope you do not require a root canal but I wish you well in your recovery. I too have suffered broken tooth and it is no fun.
That broken tooth was definitely a Thanksgiving surprise we didn’t ask for. We agree that it’s important to be mindful of what goes into our bodies and to make informed choices with trusted professionals. Wishing you great dental health too!
Sorry to hear about your dental, accident. Here’s a suggestion that would have avoided it altogether. Eat vegetarian or vegan. My wife, who grew up on a farm in Vermont, put it this way: “We did not eat our friends.” That included cows, chickens, ducks, horses, etc. We live in the UP of Michigan with a deer population which greatly outnumber people. Seeing the beauty of deer, bear, wolves and birds in flight, we cannot understand how anyone could kill for sport or to eat. By the way, a vegetarian lifestyle is completely consistent with your focus on holism.
We love compassion and thoughtful choices. Our Thanksgiving dental adventure was just a case of a hidden bone surprise. We believe in holistic health and supporting what helps each person and pet thrive.
yikes
i hope you and your tooth are fixed up soon.
happened to my when i was a kid..we were visiting someone and i guess they shot the duck themselves but didn’t mention to watch out for the pellets until after i chipped a tooth.
and thanks for all your informative emails.
Those sneaky little pellets can definitely turn a good meal into a dental adventure. We’re glad your tooth healed up, and thank you so much for following along and for the kind words about the emails. We’ll keep sharing helpful tips, hopefully with fewer unexpected crunches along the way!
Ouch! I feel for you. As I sit here typing this I have a horrible toothache and am wondering how I can pull it myself as I don’t have funds for a dentist. I hope you were able to eat your dinner still? Sounds yummy. I’ve never had goose before.
We hope you get some relief soon and can have that tooth checked when you’re able.
And yes, we did finish dinner, but the goose definitely gave us a Thanksgiving story to remember!
Gun nerds are always toting “responsible gunning”, but I see so many deviations from that, and this is just one more instance. Are those beads made of lead? Then you have another problem in ingesting a poisonous substance.
The bigger lesson is to watch what pets chew on, as hard objects can cause serious dental injuries or other problems. Prevention is always the best medicine.
Ouch, is right!! I’m not much into wild game, or any wild animal for that matter. However, I loved the way you told the story…..What a way to ruin a perfectly good meal!!
I know someone who has 3 pet goats…they say that next month they will slaughter one for them to eat….(1)I didn’t know you could eat goat, and (2)I could never be a ‘farmer’ because I couldn’t kill an animal I had raised.
Take care.
Lisa
That goose definitely turned a great meal into an unexpected dental adventure. And yes, goats are commonly eaten around the world, although raising one yourself would make that a very different story for many of us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hello Dr. Jones,
Many times I have bitten into a piece of meat, whether it be a stray bone, piece of arrow, and yes, a stray pellet in a so-called gosling. I am familar with your dilemma, so sorry this had to have happened, to lose a tooth in this manner.
Going vegan is not my forte, love beef and chicken, but like you have learned my lesson eating goose.
Best wishes
Candace
Sounds like you’ve had a few surprise crunches too! We definitely learned that lesson the hard way with that goose. A little caution goes a long way. Thanks for sharing your story!
Sorry your Thanksgiving was spoiled and that you have to deal with a broken tooth. That HAD to hurt!
@Lisa: Greek people eat goat and sheep all the time.
I would say your friends don’t have “pet” goats. They are raising livestock to consume. NOBODY could eat their “pet”. Just ask your friends if they would eat their dog or cat…or horse if they have one?
I’m an inveterate omnivore, but if I had to personally kill and dress any mammal (or avian for that matter) to eat I’d rather nosh twigs and bark.
hat goose definitely gave us a Thanksgiving surprise we won’t forget. We all have different relationships with animals, and those choices are personal. What matters most is kindness and respect for animals, whether they are companions or livestock. And yes, keeping our pets’ teeth healthy is always worth it!
Hi Dr. Jones,
Sooo sorry to hear about your tooth! I too know what a broken tooth feels like and it’s NO fun.
Wishing you a super-speedy recovery and I hope that your dentist is just half as good as you are. If that is true, well then, you are in GREAT HANDS.
Thank you so much for all you do and all your info you so freely share with your fans. My animals and I want to send you love and health. Again, Thank You.
Sincerely,
Janet Newcombe
That broken tooth was definitely a Thanksgiving surprise we didn’t ask for!
We appreciate your kind words and support. Here’s to healthy teeth and happy pets all around!
I like Ole’s comment and views best, can I come be part of your family? That is exactly how I choose to live and yet every family gathering I am peppered with frowns and what is wrong with you? because I choose to eat vegetables only and not the meat dishes. They will think different when they are laying on the stretcher waiting to be rolled into the OR for their heart bypass operations.
We love seeing people make thoughtful choices for their health. A little kindness and respect at the dinner table goes a long way. And yes, we’ve learned to chew carefully during those big family meals!
There are many organic farmers, Lisa, who raise critters for their meat, and they give them a much better life than goats on a factory-type farm.
With the current “Locavore” movement, inspired by Michael Pollan, who says, “Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants”, people want to know *where* an animal for their meat was raised, if it was fed grass and other natural diet; how their vegatables were raised, and so on. Locavores like to patronise local farmers if at all possible to encourage community cohesiveness and cooperation.
People like this take their animals to a specific person who kills the animal [humanely, one hopes] and then butchers the meat. It’s hard to think about, but a hella lot more humane than factory farming. *And* better for us, although I think ideally all of us who love animals would like to be vegetarians, we’re just not morally strong enough to give up our meat. Plus our cats *have* to eat meat, so …
Those of us “who can’t give up meat” can reduce our beef consumption to one or two times a month, b/c the production of beef takes more land and water than any other animal … reduce all meat consumption by using meat as a “seasoning”, for example, using bits of bacon in a parmesan-cheese based pasta dish … use just bits of chicken in a big, delicious Caesar Salad.
We agree that knowing where our food comes from matters, and supporting farmers who prioritize animal welfare is a positive step. When it comes to our pets, cats especially need animal based nutrition, so we always focus on healthy, humane, and balanced choices.
Oh wow, I’m so sorry to hear that happened! Yeah, I could imagine that would quickly ruin dinner (and you did mention that you were starving : )
And I too thank you for the dental tips. I have a miniature dachshund who is a gold medal olympic plaque producer…it’s unbelievable. He’s 15 so I’m pretty much done with the professional cleanings and I’ve tried a lot of different things but I am willing to look at the plaque off…does the herbal tincture mixture you referred to have a brand name?
And not to rub it in or anything…but vegetarians don’t have to worry about biting into shot gun pellets : )
Thanks again and take care!
For your little plaque producing dachshund, the product we mentioned is Plaque Off. The herbal tincture is typically a mix of Oregon grape, goldenseal and myrrh applied to the gums.
At 15, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for hidden dental pain or infection too. And yes, we’ll give vegetarians the win on the pellet surprise! Thanks for the great comment!
Dr. Jones, what do you think about ionic silver water or colloidal silver for gum problems in dogs and cats?
I have a problem in my gum under a tooth that was filled many years ago. The dentist did something wrong as I couldn’t chew on that side for a year afterwards, but neither he, nor a subsequent dentist, could find the problem.
A couple of years later, it became very painful. One rinse with ionic silver water took the pain and infection down, and rinsing daily took it away. I used to have to rinse every day, now only about once a month if I feel it become sensitive.
I’m convinced that without it, I would have had to have some type of dental surgery.
My oldest dog recently had a problem with a swollen gum. The vet said abscessed tooth, but then I pulled a piece of speargrass from her chin, directly underneath where the swelling had been. He also said her remaining teeth were rotten, even though I had them cleaned and 17 teeth pulled a year ago.
I have been brushing her teeth ever since and rinsing with ionic silver water, and she seems fine, happier, and the swelling has not returned.
What do you think? If a pet has bad teeth and inflamed gums, would you recommend ionic silver water or colloidal silver?
Thank you so much for the dental advice, BTW, I’m definitely going to try it!
Ionic or colloidal silver may help with surface bacteria, but it’s not a proven treatment for dental disease or a replacement for proper dental care. We’d focus on brushing, dental support, and finding the cause of the gum issue. Keep up the great work with your dog’s dental routine!
OUCH!
Hope the tooth is better. Broke a piece of mine off twice in a year eating pizza crust – now give the crispy crust to my dog so we share and are both happy.
We’re glad you and your pup found a way to enjoy it together. Just remember, those crunchy treats can be tough on teeth, so keeping an eye on dental health is key for both of you.
Dr. Jones,
OMG! Those bullets/pellets look ugly! I think it is disgusting that you broke your tooth because the bullets/pellets were lodged in the meat. I despise hunters and hunting. I am an animal lover and can’t understand men/women that go out and kill animals for their “jollies.” I say, “Leave the birds and wildlife alone!” Take care of yourself, Dr. Jones. You are a wonderful vet; I feed my dog, Gus, your supplement. He is a very healthy, large Yorkie with beautiful shiny, silky fur. I hope your dentist appointment went well.
Warm regards,
Sylvia, Gus, Liam, Riley, and Skye (+ five eggs).
That pellet was definitely an unexpected Thanksgiving surprise! We are so glad to hear Gus is doing well and thriving. Give him a big pat from us, and best wishes to you and your whole crew.
Sorry about the tooth. Thank you for everything you do, you have helped me more than you could ever know. I have 3 rescue dogs, and a cat that we rescued from certain death and kept her even though she has lots of problems. We love them all and we do what we can to keep them healthy abd happy. Many Blessings to you and the family.
Your rescue dogs and cat are lucky to have such a loving family. We’re so happy to be part of your journey in keeping them healthy and happy. Wishing you all many blessings!
So sorry about your tooth.
I really appreciated the info about plaque.
my 11year old Papillon keeps building plaque and I do not want her to have anesthesia for dental work. She has had many teeth pulled already.
So sorry your little Papillon has been through so much. Those tiny mouths can be plaque magnets! Daily dental care, brushing if she allows it, and natural supports like PlaqueOff may help. If there is pain or infection though, we always need to weigh the dental risks with the anesthesia risks. Keep supporting those pearly whites!
Eyi, not a fun way to eat a Thanksgiving dinner… the anticipation was exciting though I bet 🙂 Dental health for pets, oodles of importance! It’s not only infection and tooth loss that I think about with dental diseases, but the real pain a pet will experience. Greenie’s dental chews are quick and easy. You still must brush their teeth, but giving something like the above on a daily basis is awesome.
Dental health is huge for our pets. That Thanksgiving tooth surprise was a painful reminder that prevention is always better than a dental emergency
Hi Dr. Jones,
That is a most unfortunate incident and I hope you are feeling better currently.
Perhaps next time you eat any game a metal detector would prevent this form happening again. Maybe you could take the goose to a place that has one or even buy one. Seems like it would be lesss expensive than another crown.
Still much to be thankful for… Karen
A metal detector might have been a good idea before that goose dinner! Thankfully, it was just a broken tooth and a good reminder that even we need dental care sometimes.