What does it mean when you notice your dog is losing teeth? Depending on how old your dog is, falling out dog teeth can be normal.
Is it normal for puppy teeth to fall out? Photography © exies | iStock / Getty Images Plus.
It is normal if your dog loses teeth
Like humans, puppies are born without teeth. Puppies initially survive on their mother’s milk. They don’t need teeth until they learn to eat solid foods.
A puppy’s milk teeth begin to come out between 4 and 6 weeks of age. These needle-sharp teeth break out from under the gumline. Between the ages of 3 and 6 months, a puppy’s milk teeth fall out and permanent teeth come in. During this time, you may see a hole in the gum that had a tooth in it, or tiny teeth lying around the house or in your puppy’s food bowl. Puppies often swallow their baby teeth too, so you may not notice your dog is losing teeth. (Note: this is completely normal and does not pose a threat to your puppy.) You may also notice a little bleeding from the mouth. That’s normal too.
So what’s wrong with a dog losing teeth as a puppy? Sometimes your dog’s milk teeth don’t fall out the way they’re supposed to. If you see tiny teeth next to or above the larger permanent teeth, let your veterinarian know. This phenomenon can lead to permanent teeth damage. As a result, your vet may want to pull out the retained teeth during your dog’s spay or neuter surgery.
If your dog is losing teeth it is not normal
Sometimes a dog who is losing teeth is NOT normal. Teeth can fall out for a number of reasons. Oral trauma can knock one or more teeth out (for example, if your dog is hit in the face with an object, falls from a great height, or is hit by a car). Teeth can also fall out if your dog chews on something that is too hard and breaks the tooth (e.g. deer antlers or a hard chewing bone). Broken teeth that don’t fall out on their own must either be pulled out (called extraction) or repaired with a root canal. Both procedures are usually performed by a veterinary dentist.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is also a culprit for a dog who loses teeth. “Tooth loss is caused by bacteria that develop into plaque and tartar,” said Missy Tasky, DVM, owner of Gentle Touch Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado. When tartar builds up near the gumline, bacteria are allowed in [to] Step under the gumline and damage the supporting structures of the teeth. “This leads to bone loss and tooth mobility,” explains Dr. Tasky.
Periodontal disease is very likely to develop in dogs if you don’t brush your teeth regularly at home and get an annual or semi-annual professional teeth cleaning. In this case, infections can occur. Periodontal disease is a very common cause of tooth loss and can also affect your dog’s overall health.
What happens next if your dog’s teeth fall out?
If one or more of your dog’s teeth becomes infected and / or loose, your vet will likely recommend tooth extraction.
Surprisingly, most dogs have no problem adapting to tooth loss. “Most dogs and cats can eat well despite losing several teeth,” says Dr. Tasky. “Some animals have lost all of their teeth and can still eat dry food. The goal, however, is to preserve as many teeth as possible as the teeth add to the strength of the jaw. “
If you notice loose or missing teeth, bleeding gums, or bad breath in the dog, get your dog checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Periodontal disease can be painful and make it difficult for your dog to eat normally. Your vet will likely want to do a thorough teeth cleaning under anesthesia, take x-rays of the teeth to look for damage, and possibly pull one or more teeth. After the procedure, your dog will be prescribed pain relievers and antibiotics to protect against infection. If you worry that your dog will find it difficult to pull its teeth, don’t stress it. Most dogs seem fantastic after having their teeth cleaned and their loose, infected teeth removed, probably because they felt so much worse before the procedure.
Tell us: Have you noticed your dog is losing teeth? How old was she? What was the problem?
Thumbnail: Photography © kontrastaddict | E + / Getty Images.
This piece was originally published on February 22, 2018.
