As a general rule, all of a puppy’s milk teeth should fall out and change to permanent teeth by 6 months of age. If your puppy is 7 months old or more, but his teeth haven’t changed, that could be a problem.
When should you help your puppy’s teeth fall out? What can you do at home? We’ll discuss these and other important questions next.
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Is it normal if a puppy’s baby teeth don’t fall out?
If you notice that your puppy’s teeth have started to erupt, but his milk teeth haven’t fallen out yet, don’t rush to do anything. Perhaps, they’ll fall out on their own in a few days.
Some baby teeth will fall out while the new teeth are halfway through their lifespan, and you may see two sets of teeth in your puppy mouth.
Double sets of teeth and retained baby teeth are usually found in small and dwarf breeds. In most cases, problems occur with incisors and canines.
You can watch this short video in which a veterinarian explains what retained baby teeth are:
What should you do? You can wait a month and try to help your puppy’s teeth fall out naturally. I’ll tell you more about that next. However, a vet consultation is a good idea. The vet can determine if the new teeth are developing properly and if there is cause for alarm.
Here are stories from some dog owners from Reddit who have experienced something similar:
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by u/Kitchen_Notice4439 from discussion how to help baby teeth fall out? especially k9 teeth?
in puppy101
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by u/susibirb from discussion Normal for adult teeth to come in before puppy teeth fall out?
in puppy101
Causes for concern
If your puppy is over 7-8 months old and his milk teeth haven’t fallen out, it could indicate a pathology. Usually, the roots of the baby teeth resorb, and they fall out on their own. But sometimes the root is retained, and the tooth doesn’t fall out in time. So new teeth are unable to grow properly.
How can you tell if your puppy has a teething problem? You may notice that the gum is swollen and red on visual inspection. The teeth are also clearly growing crooked and out of place.
And here’s what double canines look like:
❗️Pay attention to symptoms such as bleeding and bad breath. Also, watch your puppy when he eats. If he can't chew but spits out food, this indicates discomfort or pain in the animal.
In neglected cases, baby teeth can cause several problems:
- 👉displacement of teeth and the formation of a malocclusion bite;
- 👉toothache;
- 👉infection and inflammation of the gums;
- 👉irreversible change and loss of a permanent tooth.
It is difficult to determine the extent of the problem on your own. Only a doctor can do this, and he or she will need to take an X-ray of the jaw.
Do Puppies baby teeth need to be pulled?
You must see the vet if your puppy has retained baby teeth. The doctor will remove the excess tooth so that the molar can grow back freely. This procedure is usually done under anesthesia and doesn’t take long. After the extra tooth is removed, the permanent tooth will fall into it’s place.
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by from discussion Puppy Teeth Not Falling Out?
in ItalianGreyhounds
❗️You should never try to pull an extra tooth out by yourself! It has a long root, and such a procedure can cause bleeding. Also, the root may break off and remain in the gum.
If your veterinarian agrees, you can wait until the puppy is 7-8 months old. But your puppy should have surgery if the teeth haven’t fallen out by that time. You can combine the extraction with neutering or spaying; you won’t have to undergo anesthesia twice, and you may save some money.
Check puppies teething schedule to see when their teeth are supposed to change.
Best ways to help puppy’s teeth fall out
The only thing you can do to help the puppy’s baby teeth fall out faster is to provide him with chew toys and special treats. These will help him loosen the tooth naturally, and some products reduce pain and inflammation, as well as cleanse the mouth of bacteria.
Regular brushing once a week will also help your puppy. If he has a new tooth growing next to a milk tooth, food debris will clump between them. You must clean this out to avoid problems with his teeth and gums.
📌 Here are examples of special chewy treats you can buy at the online store:
Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
📌 You can also give your dog antibacterial treats that freshen his breath.
Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
📌 And these are safe chew toys:
Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rope toys can also be used, but you have to be careful with them because some dogs can choke on a piece of rope.
📌 A special gel can be used to relieve teething pain:
Last update on 2024-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Home remedies for teething puppies
I also put together a list of homemade remedies that will help the puppy’s baby teeth to fall out faster:
- A carrot or other crunchy vegetable/fruit that your puppy likes. Cut it into pieces that your pup can chew comfortably. You can also use frozen fruits and vegetables, including apples, string beans, melon, etc. The cold helps reduce pain.
- Frozen wet rag. You just need to wet the rag, twist it and freeze it. Then let your puppy chew on it until it defrosts.
- Ice cubes. In addition to water, you can freeze meat broth or fruit puree, as shown in this TikTok video:
@petlabco Fruity ice cubes to improve your dog’s mood & support their health 🐶🥝🧊 #dogfood #dogdiet #dogtreats #dogrecipes #dognutrition #dognutritionfacts #dogparents ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic
- DIY SWEET POTATO DOG CHEWS. Slice the yams into at least 0.5 cm thick rings and bake in the oven for 2-3 hours.
- Homemade dog chews with meat. Choose your dog’s favorite meat, slice it and send it to dry in the oven for 2-3 hours at 200 C.
Comment
by u/Usual_Zone2543 from discussion Is this normal? Two more puppy teeth came out today. What can I do to help her?
in DogAdvice
You can make homemade treats with turmeric, olive leaf extract, chamomile, peppermint, and coconut oil. These products have antibacterial properties, so they are good for oral health.
In this video you can find a video recipe for a healthy treat for your dog’s teeth:
Conclusions
The only way to help your puppy’s teeth fall out is to give him different toys and chew treats. But this is probably not helpful if your puppy has dental pathology.
If your puppy is 7 months old and still has a baby tooth, you must remove it. Only a qualified professional can do this.
FAQ
What happens if the puppy’s teeth don’t fall out?
It can lead to crooked teeth, cavities and gum disease. Eventually, a permanent tooth may be damaged forever and must be extracted.
When should puppies have their baby teeth extracted?
If the puppy’s baby teeth haven’t fallen out by seven months of age, you need to remove them. The longer you wait, the lower the chance of normal development of a permanent tooth. In addition, you increase the risk of serious complications.
Is there any way to prevent the development of retained baby teeth in puppies?
Since the cause of this pathology is the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the dog’s jaw, you can’t influence the situation. The owner’s task is to detect the problem in time and correct it.
Sources:
https://www.thesprucepets.com/puppy-has-two-sets-of-fangs-3384913