Deciduous Teeth – Pet Dental Care
What Are Deciduous Teeth?
Deciduous teeth—commonly called baby teeth or milk teeth—are the first set of teeth that puppies and kittens develop. In people, it’s common practice to pull out baby teeth when they become loose. However, dogs and cats don’t naturally lose all their baby teeth on their own schedule, and retained deciduous teeth can create serious dental and orthopedic problems if not addressed promptly.
Puppies are born without teeth and develop their full set of 28 deciduous teeth by around 6–8 weeks of age. Adult dogs ultimately develop 42 permanent teeth. Kittens follow a similar pattern, developing 26 deciduous teeth before transitioning to 30 permanent adult teeth. The transition typically occurs between 3 and 7 months of age, and this is the critical window during which veterinary monitoring is most important.
Common Breeds Prone to Retained Baby Teeth
While retained deciduous teeth can occur in any dog or cat, certain small and toy breeds are significantly more prone to this problem. These include Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Poodles, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Persians and other flat-faced (brachycephalic) cat breeds also have a higher incidence. If you own one of these breeds, proactive dental monitoring beginning at your pet’s first puppy or kitten visits is especially important.
When and Why to Address Retained Baby Teeth
As permanent teeth start to grow in, it is critical to address any retained or persistent deciduous teeth. Immediate extraction of persistent deciduous teeth can help prevent displacement of the erupting permanent teeth that can result in a malocclusion, or that can exacerbate periodontal disease due to crowding. Retained deciduous teeth without a replacement permanent tooth can remain stable, although extraction may be necessary in cases of unstable dentition. Young pets with missing permanent teeth should have intraoral dental radiographs taken to confirm that the teeth are truly not present, as unerupted teeth can be problematic.
Retained deciduous teeth can cause multiple problems for a growing dog or cat. With a retained maxillary (upper jaw) canine tooth, the permanent tooth typically erupts immediately in front of the deciduous tooth. Subsequently, tartar accumulates between the two teeth leading to periodontal disease and eventual loss of the permanent tooth.
In the mandible (lower jaw), the permanent canine tooth will erupt inside of the deciduous tooth towards the tongue. These malpositioned teeth will often be in traumatic contact with soft tissues of the mouth and be very painful. Sharp teeth that press into the roof of the mouth can make even the sweetest puppy cranky and reluctant to eat.
Retained incisor and premolar teeth will lead to crowding, tartar accumulation, and subsequent periodontal disease. Additionally, when teeth do not follow the normal eruption pattern, it can lead to jaw malformation due to adverse interlocking. This adverse interlock will keep the maxilla and mandibles from growing properly and may inhibit the pet’s ability to eat in a traditional manner.
When the maxilla and mandibles are not in a normal relationship with each other it is called a malocclusion. Malocclusions that result from retained deciduous teeth are some of the most common orthodontic conditions veterinary dental specialists regularly treat.
What Happens During Extraction?
Deciduous tooth extraction is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, and it is far more involved than simply pulling a loose tooth. Baby teeth have surprisingly long, slender roots that extend deep into the jaw, and the roots of retained deciduous teeth are often in very close proximity to the erupting permanent tooth below.
Great care must be taken to extract the entire root without damaging the adjacent permanent tooth. This requires dental radiographs before and after the procedure to verify complete root removal. Root tips left behind can become a source of infection or interfere with continued dental development. A board-certified veterinary dentist or a general practitioner with advanced dental training should perform these extractions.
The procedure is typically performed at the time of the pet’s spay or neuter—usually between 4 and 6 months of age—to minimize the number of anesthetic events. Most pets recover quickly and resume normal eating within 24–48 hours. Following extraction, monitoring the pet’s permanent tooth development ensures proper alignment and a healthy adult bite.
Signs Your Pet May Have a Dental Problem
If you notice any of the following in your puppy or kitten, contact your veterinarian for a dental evaluation:
- Two teeth occupying the same position (“double teeth”)
- Adult teeth erupting in unusual positions (especially canines pointing inward)
- Difficulty chewing, preference for soft food, or reluctance to play with chew toys
- Pawing at the mouth or face rubbing
- Foul breath in a young pet
- Asymmetry in jaw growth or facial appearance
At Dunedin Animal Medical Center, we monitor dental development at every wellness visit for our puppy and kitten patients throughout Dunedin, FL and Pinellas County. Catching retained baby teeth early is one of the best things you can do to set your young pet up for a lifetime of good oral health. Schedule an appointment at dunedinamc.com or call us at (727) 738-2273.