do-dogs-have-baby-teeth

Our dogs grow so fast in the first year that we tend to miss the other smaller milestones in their lives. The growing and falling of their baby teeth being one of them.

The entire process of the growth and fall of a dog’s teeth is similar to that of the human babies. When puppies are born, they don’t have any teeth, and when they hit three weeks old, the teeth start coming in. This is also the time when we can offer our canine babies solid food. At around four months past, the baby teeth start falling off. This can be a little problematic as teething pain can make your dog fidgety. Read on to know more about your dog’s teeth.

 

Everything That You’ll Need To Know About Your Dog’s Baby Teeth

You must definitely have a lot of questions about your pup’s baby teeth (also known as deciduous teeth). In this article, we’ll try to explore and answer all your questions puppy tooth-related.

 

How Many Teeth Does Your Puppy Have?

Like we’ve mentioned before, a dog is born without any tooth, but after 3 weeks, a set of 28 teeth starts to form. Now we said that the process is identical to human beings, but not the number of the teeth.

Will Your Puppy Lose Their Baby Teeth? Yes, your puppy will lose all their baby teeth to make room for their permanent choppers. Dogs usually lose all their puppy teeth at around 6 months old. Interestingly, they lose even the canine teeth.

 

How Do You Care for Your Puppy When They’re Teething?

When the teething starts, your dog might want to chew stuff (which can be dangerous for your household items) and feel uncomfortable. Since our naive pets would not be able to fathom these changes, they may behave restlessly for some time. There are usually two possible situations that you might face here:

If your dog is acting normally and is healthy, then you don’t need to be worried. His normal activities should include eating, playing, drinking, exploring, and basically the usual doggy- things. A little discomfort or whining would also be reasonable.

If you notice that your dog is in constant pain to the point of not eating and drinking correctly, then you’ll need to visit the vet as soon as possible. This behavior would indicate that the teething is disturbing his day-to-day activities due to the pain caused.

If the situation is manageable, then dog owners can take care of their dog’s chewing tendencies by themselves. Chemical-free, soft chew toys for dogs can work wonders in this case.

 

How Can You Take Care of Your Dog’s Puppy Teeth?

Dental care remains vital for every species, be it human or canine. Often, people joke about their pet’s bad breath when in reality they should be taking immediate action to solve the problem.

Talk to your vet and ask them tips on how to help formulate an excellent dental care program for your dog. Here, you’ll have to start early. Make your puppy used to you touching his mouth. Just understand this concept: like your teeth need daily brushing to prevent decay, in the same way, your dog’s teeth need care too.

You can use human tooth-brushes which have soft bristles to help you in your cleaning. Avoid the use of hard bristles as they may cause gum cuts. Never use your personal toothbrushes for your canine’s oral hygiene. This is because dogs cannot spit out and rinse off the toothpaste like us, and then the fluoride and other harmful chemicals may harm your pet.

There are a variety of kinds of toothpaste available in the market for your dog, which can solve the above problem. When searching for dental treats, take care to purchase ones approved by the Veterinary-Oral Health-Council (VOHC). This is important and should be remembered by the dog owner at all times.

 

What Is Dog Dental Cleaning and When Should I Go for It?

Your dog will only need a dental cleaning if their teeth are in terrible condition, and on the verge of decay. Pre-Dental bloodwork will be carried out to diminish any further risk of any infection. Some dogs may even be given anesthesia. The dental cleaning procedure is quite identical to the one commonly carried out on a human being. Your dog will undergo tartar build-up removal as well as cavity checking, removal of decaying and loose teeth, etc. The process will end with tooth polishing which will help to ensure minimum tartar formation in future.

Nevertheless, as a dog owner, you should give your canine friend’s dental care number one priority. Not only for the obvious reasons such as removal of bad breath but because dental decay in pets is nearly as severe as in humans.

 

What Should I Do When My Dog Starts Losing His Baby Teeth

This process usually starts when the dogs turn four months old, making it a little easier for them to withstand the pain. Keep checking your puppy’s teeth by playfully rubbing it and the surrounding gums. This will give you a better understanding of their tooth situation. Nearly all vets suggest that you wait for the tooth to fall off naturally. The forcible extraction of a tooth can lead to an infection. Why may you ask? The reason is your dog’s roots.

Our pets have long, deep roots and when we coercively try to take it out, then there is a high chance of us breaking the root. In addition to the infection, it can be quite painful for your dog as well. However, if you notice that a permanent tooth is coming up and still the baby tooth isn’t shaking, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. Do not attempt anything by yourself. It is necessary for the dog to lose their baby tooth to avoid the situation of occlusion. Occlusion or lousy bite is caused due to a growth of permanent tooth in the presence of the baby tooth.

 

Dogs Need That Perfect Smile Too

I hope you now appreciate the importance of good teeth in your dogs. Whether its puppy teeth or permanent teeth, your dog’s choppers need attention. Try to stick to the dental schedule and make monthly trips to the vet. A little caution, in the beginning, can help save your pet from a lot of discomfort and pain in the future.

 

You May Also Interested In: