.svg)
Puppy's deciduous teeth don't fall out – when should they be removed?
📞 Dental appointment booking: 010 739 9130
📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa
Quick answer: If a permanent tooth emerges for a puppy, but the deciduous tooth remains in place, it is a retained deciduoustooth. It should be examined because it can cause crowding, malocclusion, and gingivitis.
Puppies' tooth replacement is a normal part of growth, but sometimes deciduous teeth do not fall out in time. This is common, especially in small breeds.
When to see a vet?
Contact your vet if any of the following apply:
- A permanent tooth has erupted next to a deciduous tooth.
- The deciduous tooth is not loose at all.
- The gum is red or there's a bad smell from the mouth.
- The bite appears crowded.
What can cause the symptom?
1. Retained deciduous tooth
The deciduous tooth remains in place and the permanent tooth erupts next to it.
2. Malocclusion
Crowding can guide the permanent tooth into an incorrect position.
3. Gingivitis
Food and plaque easily accumulate between two teeth.
What can you do at home?
- Do not pull the tooth yourself without a veterinarian's instructions.
- Monitor tooth eruption.
- Book a dental check-up if the permanent tooth has already erupted.
What is done at the vet?
The veterinarian examines the bite and decides whether the deciduous tooth needs to be removed under anesthesia.
Sacrum Animal Hospital can help
If you are unsure about the severity of the symptom, it's better to contact us than to wait and monitor the situation for too long. A professional can help assess whether it's an emergency or an appointment that can be booked.
📞 Dental appointment booking: 010 739 9130
📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa
Is your cat breathing fast at rest? Find out when a respiratory rate is concerning and when to contact the emergency vet.
Old dog can't walk? Don't assume it's just old age. Often the cause is treatable pain, a heart defect or a hormone problem.
Is your old cat losing weight or drinking a lot? Senior cats often suffer from hidden diseases. Read the veterinarian's list of the top 3 most common ailments.
Is your cat drinking a lot and losing weight? Find out when kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism could be the underlying cause.
Cardiac ultrasound is a painless and accurate examination. Find out how to prepare for your visit to the Animal Hospital Sacrum and what the study reveals.
Do you suspect a cruciate ligament injury in your dog? Read about the typical symptoms, examinations, and when TPLO surgery may be considered.