Dogs have dental problems and need dental care, just like humans. Many of us don’t examine our dog’s teeth and gums, and as a result, loose teeth are often difficult to spot. In many cases, the underlying cause of loose teeth in dogs, such as periodontal disease, does not show obvious symptoms. It’s important to know the symptoms so you can get the care and treatment you need to keep your dog happy and healthy.
The Puppy’s Normal Teeth Fall Out
Loose teeth are not always something to worry about, and it is normal for puppies to lose teeth as they get older. Puppies are born toothless and remain so for the first few weeks of life. At three to five weeks of age, puppies’ baby teeth, also known as baby teeth, begin to appear. Puppies have a total of 28 baby teeth, and they will gradually begin to fall out to make room for permanent teeth. By the time the puppy reaches six to seven months of age, all of the baby teeth are gone, and all 42 permanent teeth have erupted.
In some cases, baby teeth don’t fall out properly, resulting in trapped teeth. Retained teeth are baby teeth that remain in the mouth after the permanent teeth have erupted. 1 The most common preserved tooth is the upper canine, but this can happen on any tooth. Preserving young teeth can lead to problems with adult teeth and lead to excessive plaque buildup. If noted, make an appointment with your veterinarian and your veterinarian will most likely recommend extracting baby teeth to prevent future problems. Your veterinarian will take special care when extracting any preserved teeth to avoid damaging the immature roots of the new permanent teeth.
Symptoms of Loose Teeth in Dogs
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Redness or bleeding of the gum line
- Excessive drooling, which may be bloody, may also notice bleeding when your dog is playing with chewing toys near food or water bowls or has blood stains
- Grab your mouth with your claws
- Difficulty chewing: Your dog may chew only on one side of its mouth or have difficulty picking up food and keeping it in its mouth
- Facial puffiness
- Anorexia
- Runny nose and/or sneezing
- There is a lump or lump in the mouth
- Pain or tenderness in the mouth
Causes of Loose Teeth
- Puppies may have loose teeth when they lose their baby teeth, and as mentioned above, this is normal.
- Periodontal disease is inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Despite the dog’s appearance being normal, the process of losing teeth due to periodontal disease is painful for dogs. Periodontal disease occurs when the accumulation of plaque and tartar causes periodontal pockets or gum recession around tooth attachments. If left untreated, the infection often spreads deep into the tooth socket, destroying the bones. Eventually, the tooth will loosen over time and may fall out. Unfortunately, this is one of the more common reasons why adult dogs lose their teeth, meaning that dogs need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Trauma or injury, such as a roadside accident, fall, fight, or bite of an inappropriate hard material, such as stone or metal.
- Cancer in the jaw or gums can damage the gums, bones, and attachments that hold the teeth firmly in place.
Losing baby teeth is a normal part of life, but losing permanent teeth can be a sign of advanced gum disease, which can be painful for our dogs. Dental disease is more common than you might think. Dogs are very good at hiding it. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that when your pet is three years old, he or she is likely to develop some early symptoms of periodontal disease, which can worsen as your pet gets older if effective precautions are not taken. Regular visits to the veterinarian to assess your dog’s dental health are the best way to identify and treat problems before they cause serious problems.
Treat
In all cases, loose teeth require veterinary intervention other than the normal loss of the puppy’s teeth and cannot improve on their own or with home dental care.
If you suspect that your dog has loose teeth, consult your veterinarian. They will start with an examination and if a loose tooth is found, it will most likely recommend a tooth extraction under anesthesia and a tooth cleaning.
Before teeth cleaning and before your dog is anesthetized, your veterinarian will perform blood tests on your dog. This is to identify any potential issues that the veterinarian needs to be aware of and to determine if your dog is healthy enough to receive anesthesia.
Unlike when you go to the dentist, in order to get the best evaluation and dental care, our pets need to be anesthetized during dental procedures. Anesthesia is necessary because it allows your pet to remain still so that your veterinarian can perform a thorough examination of the entire mouth (including below the gum line), take x-rays (to look for “hidden diseases”), and perform the examination thoroughly and safely. Clean your pet’s teeth. This can also reduce your pet’s anxiety, stress, and pain levels, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for your pet. In addition, it helps protect the pet’s airway from water or debris that is caused by the shedding of plaque that could otherwise enter the pet’s lungs during the procedure.
Teeth cleaning includes a thorough dental exam, dental x-ray, teeth cleaning, and polishing to remove tartar and plaque that causes periodontal disease. Based on dental X-rays and examinations, the veterinarian will remove the diseased tooth as needed. This is done while your dog is under general anesthesia. It is much more comfortable for dogs to treat their pet’s mouth in this way than to let periodontal disease progress to a severe state, which is quite painful for our dogs. Dental radiographs (X-rays) will be taken to assess the health of the jaw and roots below the gum line. Since most dental diseases occur below the gum line and you can’t see it, a thorough teeth cleaning and evaluation is done under anesthesia.
Finally, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and painkillers as needed.
How to prevent loose teeth in dogs
- Annual veterinary checkups: Having your veterinarian do an annual check-up can help avoid medical emergencies because they can spot conditions or illnesses that could affect your dog’s health long before they become serious, painful, or more expensive to treat. Preventive care is better than reactive care.
- Preventive Teeth Cleaning at the Veterinarian: Preventive cleanings like we do at the dental clinic are becoming the standard for dogs. For dogs, this requires anesthesia, but it’s an important part of helping them stay healthy. Ask your veterinarian when it is appropriate for your dog to do so.
- Daily toothbrushing: Brushing your dog’s teeth can help prevent or slow the progression of dental disease in dogs. 1When doing so, be sure to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for dogs. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that should not be swallowed and may cause stomach upset or digestive disturbances.
- Provide safe toys and snacks to chew on daily: The Veterinary Oral Health Board evaluates the effectiveness of dental products. You can visit their website (www.vohc.org) for a list of plaque control products. Your veterinarian can help you decide which options are right for you and your dog.