Do dogs lose teeth? Is it normal for them to lose their puppy teeth? These are important questions, as our dogs’ chompers play a fundamental role in their overall health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common issues in veterinary medicine, with 80-90% of dogs over the age of 3 presenting some component of gum disease.
Let’s start with some of the basics you’d see on a dog dental chart. An adult dog has 42 teeth with 20 on the top and 22 on the bottom.
These include:
- 12 incisors, the front teeth use to scrape food
- 4 canines, the long, pointy teeth used for gripping those tug toys
- 16 premolars, used to chew
- 10 molars, which are in the very back and break down crunchy kibble.
Puppies are born without teeth. Their “baby” teeth begin to grow in between three weeks and five months of age. Unlike adult dogs, puppies have only 28 teeth with:
- 12 incisors
- 4 canines, and
- 12 premolars.
Is It Normal for Dogs to Lose Teeth?
Do dogs lose their baby teeth? Yes! Much like the way human children lose baby teeth, puppies lose their teeth during teething. These puppy teeth are known as deciduous teeth or primary teeth. They are also called milk teeth, as they first emerge when a puppy may still be nursing.
What’s NOT normal is an adult dog’s teeth falling out. “The most common reason for an adult dog to lose a tooth is gum disease that eats away at the periodontal ligament and bone that hold the tooth in place,” says Sarah Wooten DVM, a veterinarian and educator with 16 years of experience in private veterinary practice. “Other causes include trauma to the head and invasive bone tumors in the mandible or skull surrounding the teeth.”
Puppy Teething: When Do Dogs Lose Their Teeth?
Puppies lose their deciduous teeth between 6 months and 1 year of age. “When a puppy is losing their puppy teeth, you may notice more chewing than normal which they do to help relieve discomfort,” says Dr. Jim MacLean, chief veterinarian at Scenthound. “You may also see them drool more or have mild gum bleeding.”
Often pet parents going through puppy teething will find a bit of blood left on a favorite chew toy, or even a baby tooth on the floor or in their pup’s bed. But if you don’t find any baby teeth around the house, do not worry. “If a puppy swallows their baby teeth, it should not cause any issues,” says Dr. MacLean. “A dog’s baby teeth often fall out while chewing food or chewing on toys, but they are small and usually pass through the digestive system without issue.”
Do Dog Teeth Grow Back?
When a puppy’s deciduous, or baby teeth, fall out, their adult teeth come in, just like with humans. Since puppies do not have molars, their adult molars will begin to emerge at this time (between 6 months and 1 year or age) as well.
Unfortunately, this is not true for adult dog teeth. When an adult dog tooth falls out, no new tooth will grow in to replace it.
6 Reasons Adult Dogs Lose Their Teeth
“There are a few reasons that adult dogs could lose their teeth,” says Dr. MacLean. “But the most common is periodontal disease caused by poor oral hygiene.”
Some other reasons an adult dog could lose a tooth include:
- Trauma to the head or mouth
- Tooth decay or infection
- A tumor in the area surrounding the teeth
- Genetic issues such as weaker teeth
- Lack of essential nutrients
Pet parents with small breed dogs should be especially vigilant. A recent study published in The Veterinary Journal reviewed over 3 million medical records across 60 breeds of dogs visiting a chain of veterinary hospitals in the U.S., over a 5-year period. Analysis of these records found that extra-small breeds (under 15 lbs) were up to five times more likely to be diagnosed with periodontal disease than giant breeds (over 55 lbs) (1).
My Dog’s Tooth Is Loose: What Should I Do?
If your puppy has a loose or missing tooth, good news! This is completely normal and you have nothing to worry about.
If your adult dog is showing signs of a loose tooth, that’s a different story. “Contact a vet immediately!” says Dr. MacLean. “Do not try to wiggle or pull the tooth yourself as this can cause pain, more damage, and risk of infection.”
It is important to get a vet visit as soon as possible to see if the tooth can be saved or needs to be removed. “Contact your veterinarian or veterinary dentist for a full dental workup and appropriate therapies, including extraction,” says Dr. Antje Joslin, veterinarian consultant at Dogtopia.
According to Dr. Wooten, signs of a loose tooth or fracture include:
- Refusal to eat or suddenly preferring, soft food
- Swelling on one side of the face or head
- Shyness, a.k.a. not wanting to be touched on their head
- Excessive drooling
- Dropping food
- Yelping while eating
- Bleeding from the mouth.
Additionally, Dr. MacLean says to be on the lookout for:
- Pawing at their mouth
- Visible blood on toys and
- An unusual change in behavior, such as increased irritability.
In the meantime, if your dog is hungry Dr. Wooten says you may offer soft food as you prepare to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian.
How to Prevent Dog Tooth Loss
The key to preventing tooth loss in adult dogs is doing everything you can to keep periodontal disease at bay. “The most important thing a pet parent can do to prevent dental disease and tooth loss is regular at-home oral hygiene that includes teeth brushing and annual professional dental cleaning with your veterinarian,” says Dr. Joslin.
She also cautions to avoid letting your dog chew on very hard things, like tough treats, chews, toys, rocks, or kennels and to check with the Veterinary Oral Health Council for approved oral health products. “Good dental care can significantly reduce the risk of tooth loss and other dental issues in adult dogs!” she adds.
References:
