Double teeth in dogs
During the first year of life, a puppy’s milk teeth are completely replaced by permanent ones. Usually a dog has an “adult” set of teeth by the age of 7 months. But sometimes – most often in small dogs – permanent teeth grow, while milk teeth … remain in place. They don’t fall out like they should. It turns out that the dog’s teeth grow in two rows. Why is this happening and how to deal with the situation?
In small breed dogs, due to their size, development during maturation often occurs in leaps and bounds. It often happens that the molars grow before the milk teeth have time to swing and fall out. They fit snugly to the dairy and form the so-called “double tooth”. Most often this is observed when fangs grow.
As a result, many small dogs enter adulthood with a double set of some of their teeth. This feature gives dogs a certain discomfort and can negatively affect the formation of bite.
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What happens to a baby tooth when a permanent one grows in?
As the permanent tooth grows, the root base of the milk tooth is resorbed. The tooth remains “hanging” in the gum, tightly pressed by the permanent tooth, and is in no hurry to fall out. The dog in such cases experiences discomfort. It is inconvenient for her to use her teeth, she begins to protect her jaw or, on the contrary, tries to gnaw everything around in order to get rid of discomfort.
The dog needs help in this situation. How to do it?
What should I do if my dog has a double tooth?
- Rocking baby teeth by hand.
If you have a trusting relationship with your dog, you can very gently shake your baby teeth straight with your fingers every day. It is important to do this gently, without hurting the dog or holding him down if he pulls out. Over time, this procedure will help the milk tooth fall out, making room for the full development of the molars.
- We use special dental toys and high-quality dry food.
Be sure to purchase special dental toys for your dog. Such toys are made from a safe rubberized material: children’s teethers are made from it. While the dog is chewing on the toy, it will act on the gums and on the tooth and rock it. Balanced dry food works in a similar way. The main thing is to choose a food that suits your pet, including the size of the granules.
- We turn to a specialist.
It happens that milk teeth sit very firmly and do not lend themselves to swinging. Or the dog already has pain in connection with the double teeth, and he does not allow them to be touched. Or does not yet trust the owner enough …
In such cases, the pet must be shown to the doctor. He will either tell you how to alleviate the condition and accelerate the natural loss of a milk tooth, or he will prescribe and perform an operation to remove it.
It is imperative that milk teeth be removed so that they do not interfere with the formation of the correct bite and do not worsen the dog’s well-being. Do not worry, a good specialist will carry out the procedure as carefully and safely as possible for your pet.
Take care of your pets and let them grow up healthy and beautiful!