Retained baby teeth in dogs
A puppy’s first teeth start to emerge at just three weeks old. Just like in children, these teeth are only temporary and are replaced by permanent, adult teeth from around four months of age. Those first teeth are called deciduous teeth, more commonly known as “baby teeth”.
The deciduous teeth are held in place by roots, which gradually dissolve allowing the baby teeth to fall out. This can happen before or after the adult tooth emerges. If the baby tooth doesn’t fall out, and isn’t pushed out by the adult tooth, it is known as a retained baby tooth.
Retained baby teeth are more commonly seen in small dogs, such as toy breeds, and are uncommon in large breeds of dog. Some dogs, especially brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, have the wrong number or arrangement of teeth. This can make it much more difficult to identify retained baby teeth, so if in doubt always have a check with a vet
Typical signs to look out for
Puppies should have a full set of adult teeth by six months of age. Any deciduous teeth that are still in the mouth after this time are probably retained.
Baby teeth look like small versions of the adult teeth. They are more delicate looking and often whiter than adult teeth. The canines (fangs) are often curved. Healthy teeth have a space between them, so look for two teeth that are sitting too closely together.
The teeth most commonly retained are the incisors (the small teeth at the front of the mouth) and the canines (the “fang” teeth), so make sure to check these ones. Dogs don’t have deciduous molars (cheek teeth) so these can’t be retained.
Why it happens
Lots of factors affect how and when the adult teeth replace the baby teeth. This includes genetics such as dog breed, and lifestyle factors. We don’t fully understand what triggers the roots of the deciduous teeth to dissolve, or why this doesn’t happen in some dogs.
Although the adult tooth doesn’t “push out” the baby tooth, it is thought that the development of the adult tooth may help prompt the baby tooth roots to dissolve. So, one cause of retained baby teeth is problems with the adult tooth. If this doesn’t develop correctly, or at all, the baby tooth is more likely to be retained.
Potential risks of retained baby teeth
Retained baby teeth can cause a lot of problems if left untreated. If the baby tooth and the adult tooth are sitting too close together, they will trap bacteria and food between them. This builds up eventually causing painful gum disease and damage to the teeth. Two teeth should never occupy a space meant for one tooth!
Less commonly, retained baby teeth can affect how the adult tooth emerges and push it to sit in the wrong place. Occasionally, this can cause malocclusion – where the top and bottom jaws don’t interlock properly because one or more teeth are in the wrong position.
Treating retained baby teeth
The only treatment for retained baby teeth is to surgically remove them. This is done under anaesthetic. The vet must carefully loosen the retained baby tooth without damaging the surrounding adult teeth. If tartar has already started to build up this may be cleaned off at the same time. The prognosis after removal of retained baby teeth is excellent.
If the vet is worried that the tooth was retained due to a problem with the adult tooth, they may recommend taking dental x-rays. These let us look at the tooth roots and see what is going on inside the jaw.
Summary
Puppies develop their baby teeth at just a few weeks of age, which then fall out and are replaced by adult teeth from four months. If baby teeth don’t fall out when they should, they are called retained. Leaving retained teeth in the mouth can lead to painful dental disease and even problems with the permanent teeth.
Retained baby teeth need surgically removing to prevent them causing long-term damage. If you can see teeth that look crowded together, adult teeth that don’t look like they’re growing normally, or notice tartar starting to develop in a puppy, you should arrange a check with a vet