Hamsters are small rodents. The word “rodent” comes from the Latin word “order,” which means “to gnaw.” Gnawing is a very important activity for hamsters, as their upper and lower front teeth (known as incisors), are covered by yellow-orange enamel and continuously grow throughout their life. It is critical that these small animals gnaw to wear down their continuously growing front teeth as they grow.
Hamsters also have large, muscular outpouchings of the lining of their mouths (one on each side of their face) called cheek pouches. They use these pouches to transport food, bedding, and, occasionally, babies. When filled, cheek pouches look like large sacs that can extend as far back as the shoulder. Hamsters use their front paws to massage food out of the pouch when they are ready to eat it.
Dental Problems in Hamsters
Since their incisors grow throughout life, hamsters commonly develop overgrown incisors that may get so long that they interfere with closing the mouth to eat. Overgrown incisors also can poke into the gums and tongue, causing cuts and bleeding. If both upper and lower incisors overgrow, they may hit each other when the hamster tries to close its mouth, breaking off and causing pain.
Hamsters with overgrown incisors also may chew on the bars of their cages, breaking off their teeth accidentally and causing discomfort when they try to eat. Once incisors are broken off, they may not grow back in at all, or they may grow crooked. Broken incisors also can cause lacerations of the palate (the hard, bony plate in the roof of the mouth), leading to the formation of an abnormal fistula (or hole) that connects the mouth to the nasal cavity. Hamsters with such oral-nasal fistulas may sneeze and have nasal discharge..
