Dogs do have a set of baby teeth similar to humans and if they fall out, the adult teeth will eventually grow in their place. However, if dogs lose their adult teeth, they will not grow back.
Before you read this guide, “Do Dogs Teeth Grow Back When They Lose Them,” check out: Whimzees vs Greenies: Which Dental Treat is Better? (2023) and The 14 Best Dog Dental Wipes! (2023).
What Happens If My Dog Loses His Teeth?
Teeth are not present when puppies are born, just like babies. The first thing a puppy needs in order to survive is their mother’s milk. When puppies are between four and six weeks old, they begin to develop their deciduous teeth beneath the gum line.
Puppies start losing their baby teeth midway through their first year of life and start gaining their permanent teeth about six months later.
The gum line may have a hole where a tooth once sat, or tiny teeth may be found inside your puppy’s food bowl or lying around the house. You might not notice your dog losing teeth while it is a puppy because puppies swallow their baby teeth frequently.
You may also notice a small amount of bleeding from your puppy’s mouth, which is normal.
Then what’s so unusual about a puppy losing teeth? The baby teeth in your dog sometimes fail to fall out in the expected way. Veterinary care should be sought if you see tiny teeth beneath or next to larger permanent teeth.
The retained teeth may need to be pulled out in certain situations, so your vet might have to do this when your dog is spayed or neutered.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog’s Tooth to Grow Back?
Dogs cannot grow their teeth when they lose them as an adult. It’s gone for good if your dog’s tooth falls out or is extracted because of an injury or disease. When missing teeth affect your dog’s quality of life, you might want to consider doggy dentures.
Do Dogs Have Baby Teeth?
It is natural for puppies to be born without teeth since their milk provides all the nutrients they need. Nonetheless, their baby teeth and adult teeth are already developing in their jaws when they are born, even though they are initially toothless.
Puppy teeth (also known as deciduous teeth) begin to show at about three weeks of age. Also during this period, puppies may begin eating solid food along with nursing.
The incisors (the little teeth in front of the mouth) erupt first, followed by the canines (the larger teeth). Taking their place are the premolars, which are the teeth used for chewing. During the first three to five weeks of a puppy’s life, teeth will appear continuously until about six to eight weeks of age, when 28 pearly white baby teeth will be in the puppy’s mouth.
It takes a puppy just a few months to lose baby teeth. Some children don’t lose their teeth until they’re four or five months old, while others begin at about three-and-a-half months. A dog’s adult teeth usually erupt sooner in a large- or giant-breed dog than in an ordinary small dog.
Adult teeth push through the gums to replace baby incisors as they fall out. A little white tooth on the floor of your living room is perfectly normal, so don’t be surprised. (Also, don’t worry if you never find any baby teeth, since they are usually swallowed by adults.)
Common Dog Dental Problems
It is possible for dogs to suffer from different types of dental diseases. They are as follows:
Gingivitis
Dogs seldom experience tooth decay, as opposed to humans. Dogs tend to have more problems with their gums. An inflammation of the gums and bleeding are signs of gingivitis.
Plaque and Tartar Build-Up
Bacteria and chemical compounds from dogs’ saliva and food make up plaque, the biofilm that adheres to the teeth of dogs. In the absence of professional dental cleaning, it forms tartar, which is stronger and can only be removed through professional dental cleaning.
Periodontitis
A severe form of gum disease in dogs may also affect the teeth’s bones and ligaments. When periodontal disease becomes advanced, teeth will be lost. More than 80% of dogs age three and older suffer from periodontitis according to a 2020 study.
Endodontic Disease
Those are dental issues affecting the teeth. A tooth’s bone can be affected by fractures, breaks, and decay in different ways. A bite on something hard, for example, can cause this condition naturally. Or it can be the result of an accident.
Tooth Abscess
Abscesses develop around teeth when the root of the tooth becomes infected. Through a diseased or fractured part of the tooth, bad bacteria enter the tooth and cause the infection. It’s the bacteria that multiply and produce pus that eventually causes the infection. A painful abscess is a sign of an infection.
Malformations
It is possible for some breeds to exhibit congenital abnormalities in the mouth at birth. Malocclusions, such as overbites, are caused by a longer upper jaw than a shorter lower jaw. The misalignment over time can lead to straining and dental problems in jays.
Bad Breath
There is no disease that causes bad breath, also known as halitosis. The condition is usually a consequence of many dental conditions. While not life-threatening or dangerous, halitosis is unpleasant.
Signs of Dental Problems In Dogs
There are some signs of dental problems in dogs that you should watch for. These could cause your dog to lose teeth if left untreated.
Bad Breath
An offensive smell should not be present in a dog’s breath. While it may not be sweet or appealing, it shouldn’t be so bad that you complain or leave the room.
Dogs suffering from periodontal disease usually have offensive breath. Statistically, with 80 percent of dogs over the age of three already having some level of periodontal disease, this is quite common.
Nevertheless, it is sometimes necessary to wear your investigative hat to rule out other possible causes of bad odors. The smell appears to be coming from the glands under your dog’s tail rather than his teeth, like if your dog just licked his rear and it smelled strongly of fish.
There is a connection between periodontitis and bad breath in dogs. Inflammation of the gums and tartar buildup cause a bad odor when bacteria accumulate. The dog’s teeth and gums continue to build up plaque and tartar, which attracts more bacteria, resulting in increased halitosis.
Signs of Inflammation
A dog’s bad breath could be an indication of periodontal disease, but if you look inside his mouth, you can learn a lot more. Ensure your dog doesn’t act aggressively when you do this. Be cautious if you are handling a dog whose mouth has not been touched before.
There is an unsightly brown area by the gum line when dogs have periodontal disease. Besides red gums that are easy to bleed, this tartar causes inflammation. It may occur that pockets or receding gums form as the condition progresses.
Symptoms of gum disease include loosening, cracking, and loss of teeth in dogs. This is nature’s way to get rid of a problem, but it may take months to years.
Appetite Changes
It’s possible for dogs with toothaches to experience pain when eating hard items, such as kibble, which can impact their eating habits. Soft food, home-cooked meals, raw patties, and canned food may not exhibit these changes.
Dogs affected by this condition may begin dropping food on the ground from their mouths once the kibble accidentally hits a painful area of their bodies.
In some dogs, eating and chewing are done on one side of the mouth, while others swallow the food whole to spare themselves the pain. When dogs are hungry, however, they can push the food bowl around due to an association with pain, thus becoming frustrated.
In some cases, dogs may even approach the food bowl before backing away or acting scared. It is common for others to eat less enthusiastically and much slower than expected.
Although dogs with tooth problems might show changes in eating habits, it’s important to note that many dogs with tooth problems will still eat their kibble and even chew bones without exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
How to Improve Your Dog’s Dental Health
The condition of your dog’s teeth and gums will determine what you can do to improve their dental health.
Diet
Plaque can be removed from teeth by eating foods that cause abrasion and disrupt the bacteria layer that accumulates. The safest foods include dental formulas and other dry foods (dry kibble is better for dogs’ teeth than wet or meat-based diets), dental chews, raw carrots, and raw antlers.
While bones, rawhide, and antlers may seem tough, they can splinter, block the gut, and damage teeth, so be aware of these risks.
Toothbrushing
If your dog brushes his teeth at least every other day, you can disrupt the biofilm of bacteria and prevent plaque accumulation. A veterinary scale and polish are required to remove existing tartar.
Even after a scale and polish, it’s beneficial to prevent dental disease or keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Pet-safe toothpaste should be used, and whether to use a fingertip brush or a standard toothbrush depends on the preferences of both you and your pet.
Other Oral Products
Dogs who are very nervous, head shy, or in pain may not be able to brush their teeth well. In addition to mouthwashes and gels that fight bacteria and plaque, water supplements can also help keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
Veterinary Treatment
Although dental disease can sometimes be reversed with a scale and polish, its effects cannot always be reversed. If tartar has existed for a while and affects gums, tooth roots, and socket structures, there could be permanent damage.
Tartar can be removed, but if it has existed for some time, it could cause permanent damage. In some cases, this means regular tooth brushing is necessary to prevent further damage that could contribute to tooth loss, while in others, it may indicate that an extraction is necessary due to the tooth’s damage or instability.
After the procedure, dogs often feel much more comfortable and can manage well with fewer teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, a puppy will lose their teeth and grow in their adult teeth by six months.
Dogs can absolutely live a full life without teeth. They’ll just need to eat the appropriate food and have a balanced diet.
Puppies will lose 28 baby teeth and ultimately grow 42 adult teeth.
Conclusion for “Do Dogs’ Teeth Grow Back When They Lose Them”
While puppies lose and regrow their teeth, if dogs lose their adult teeth, they will not grow back.
It is not always normal for dogs to lose teeth. There are many reasons why teeth fall out. Bruises to the mouth, falls from a significant height, or being hit by a car can cause your dog to lose a tooth or teeth.
Your dog can also lose teeth if they chew too hard on something and it breaks their teeth (for instance, a deer antler or hard chew bone).
In order to repair or remove a broken tooth, you will need to either extract it or get a root canal done. In both cases, a veterinary dental specialist will perform the procedure.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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