Because of their small mouths, Shih Tzus may be more prone to teeth problems than some other dog breeds. Given that these small dogs have a longer lifespan than medium and large-breed dogs, they are also more likely to suffer from pain and discomfort related to dental disease.
In this article, readers will get an overview about all things Shih Tzu teeth. You will learn about some of the common dental problems this breed faces when it comes to their teeth and mouths, as well as some breed specific solutions for cleaning and caring for the teeth of your favorite Shih Tzu.
How Many Teeth Do Shih Tzus Have?
Even though Shih Tzu’s have tiny mouths, they have as many teeth as big dogs do. Throughout their life, a Shih Tzu will have two sets of teeth — 28 temporary baby teeth and 42 permanent adult teeth.
The mouth of an adult Shih Tzu should contain:
- 12 incisors
- 4 canines
- 16 premolars
- 10 molars
This is, unless they have lost some adult teeth along the way or have retained baby teeth.
Do Shih Tzus Have Bad Teeth?
Although Shih Tzus aren’t typically born with ‘bad teeth’, they are more likely to develop dental problems because their mouths are smaller than other dog breeds that have big mouths and long noses.
Because their mouths are so short and tiny, Shih Tzus can have problems with crowded teeth. Their teeth, especially premolars, often have a different orientation than dogs with bigger mouths. Overcrowded and rotated teeth are at higher risk of dental disease than teeth that are spaced normally.
So while a Shih Tzu might be born with perfectly healthy teeth, the size and shape of their mouth can often lead to dental problems down the line.
Common Shih Tzu Teeth Problems
Plaque and Tartar
Shih Tzu’s teeth are tiny and often crowded. In addition, it can be challenging to get a toothbrush into a Shih Tzu’s mouth to brush the teeth. This predisposes Shih Tzu’s to increased plaque buildup on teeth, which can harden into tartar and cause bad breath and gingivitis.
Periodontal Disease
Plaque and tartar harbor bacteria that cause inflammation in the gums called gingivitis. If gingivitis progresses, it causes pain, bone loss and gum loss. It can also lead to a gum infection that festers under the gum line in periodontal pockets, where bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause excessive wear and tear on internal organs.
Retained Baby Teeth
Normally, when a puppy starts growing adult teeth, they will lose their baby teeth. Sometimes, the baby tooth holds on and when this happens, it is called a retained baby tooth or retained deciduous tooth. The canine teeth are the most common teeth that are retained in dogs such as Shih Tzus.
Retained baby teeth can damage the roots of adult teeth and collect plaque and tartar. Shih Tzu’s commonly suffer from retained baby teeth, which are often extracted when the dog is spayed or neutered.
Crowded Teeth
Shih Tzus have tiny mouths, and despite this they still have 42 adult teeth. Crowding 42 teeth into a tiny mouth causes teeth to rotate as the dog grows. This can cause excessive wear on teeth, soft tissue trauma to gums, and subsequent development of periodontal disease. Severe cases are treated by extracting teeth to make room.
Malocclusion
Underbites and overbites that result in malocclusion of the jaw are common in Shih Tzus. Most times it isn’t severe and just makes them look a little cute, but sometimes it requires surgical correction.
Loose Teeth
Small breed dogs, including Shih Tzus, are predisposed to loose incisor teeth. The periodontal ligament seems to break down in small breed dogs as they age, which leads to wiggly, loose incisors.
Can Shih Tzus Live With No Teeth?
What if a Shih Tzu needs to have all their teeth removed due to dental disease? Or what happens if you decide to adopt a Shih Tzu with no (or very few) teeth? Can they live without teeth?
Luckily, the answer is yes. Shih Tzus can live — and even thrive — with no teeth.
Shih Tzus can still eat without any teeth. Some dogs even prefer to still eat hard kibble. Most dogs with no teeth can be happy and perfectly sustained on a canned, wet food diet.
Shih Tzu Teeth Cleaning: At-Home Brushing
You only need to brush your dog’s teeth on the outside – no need to ask them to say ‘ahhh’. Put a pea sized amount of dog-friendly toothpaste on your brush, lift their lip (as long as they are comfortable) and start brushing in a circular motion. Make sure to get all the way to the back – there are two smaller teeth behind the big tooth in the back.
Only use dog toothpaste because they swallow it. Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is toxic to dogs if swallowed.
Most dog toothbrushes are too big for Shih Tzus. Either use a toothbrush for a human baby or a finger brush. Alternatively, you can wrap a dog dental wipe around your finger and use that to clean the teeth.
How Often Should I Be Cleaning My Shih Tzu’s Teeth?
For best results, brush your Shih Tzu’s teeth every day. At the minimum, brush every 72 hours because that is how long it takes plaque (soft, easily removed) to turn into tartar (hard, must be scraped off by a veterinarian).
How Can I Get My Dog Used to At-Home Teeth Cleanings?
The best way to get your Shih Tzu used to at-home teeth cleaning is to start when they are young. This includes getting them familiar with having your fingers and a brush in their mouth. When training for teeth brushing, keep training sessions short – young dogs have a short attention span. Be calm, positive, and gentle. Follow up every teeth brushing session with a special treat that they only get after teeth brushing.
If you are starting with an older dog, be patient. They may be totally fine with you sticking things in their mouth, or they may not. You may need to start with just letting them sniff the brush and lick the toothpaste off your finger. The important part is that the session stays positive. If you are having a hard time, ask your veterinary care staff to demonstrate how to do it, and give you their best tips for teeth brushing a tiny mouth.
Professional Teeth Cleaning for Shih Tzus
Most Shih Tzu’s will need to have their teeth professionally cleaned at some point in their lives. Even with the best home dental care routine, there is a high likelihood that Shih Tzus will still have plaque or tartar build up under the gumline, and they will need to be asleep (anesthetized) to clean that part of the tooth.
This is why professional cleanings with a veterinarian are recommended instead of anesthesia free cleaning. While ‘anesthesia free’ sounds good and is less expensive, this service only cleans the top part of the tooth and does not address any problems below the gumline. It is also terrifying for many dogs because they don’t know what is happening. Furthermore, teeth cleaning is uncomfortable, and in order to conduct a complete oral examination, the veterinarian needs a dog to be under anesthesia.
How Often Should Shih Tzus Have Their Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
Ideally, most Shih Tzu’s should have their teeth professionally cleaned by a veterinarian once a year. However, your veterinarian will be your best resource for knowing how often to clean the teeth after they examine your dog.
What Is the General Cost of Shih Tzu Teeth Cleanings?
Most dental cleanings for Shih Tzus cost between $750 and $1,250.
Professional cleanings include anesthesia, an anesthetic technician, anesthetic monitoring, a complete oral examination under anesthesia, dental x-rays, removal of all plaque and tartar, and polishing the teeth. Most veterinarians also include pre-anesthetic blood work in the cost of dental cleaning to ensure the dog is healthy enough for anesthesia.
Caring for Your Shih Tzu’s Teeth: Other Tips
In addition to regular teeth cleaning, there are other things you can do to help boost a Shih Tzu’s dental health:
Consider their food. Feed a complete and balanced diet, or ask your vet about therapeutic dental diets, which are designed to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
Get your pup chewing. Give your dog safe things to chew on. Chewing over time has been clinically proven to benefit mental and dental health in dogs. It doesn’t have to be hours of chewing — just 5-10 minutes twice a day can help tremendously. Just remember, antlers and bleached bones are too hard and will break teeth. Ask your vet for chew recommendations.
Stay consistent with vet appointments. Even if you practice regular dental care at home, taking your Shih Tzu in for regular veterinary appointments can help identify dental issues before they become big problems.
With a combination of consistent home and professional dental care, you can help your Shih Tzu’s teeth stay strong and healthy. By effectively handling dental care, that means you can get back to the important things, like cuddles, car rides, and long walks at sunset.
