Puppies, like humans, are born with no teeth. But three to six weeks after birth, the first puppy teeth start growing. Your pup will have six incisors on the bottom and six on the top jaw for typical cases—next are four canines and, subsequently, twelve premolars.
At approximately eight weeks, the dogs’ teeth start to fall out to make room for permanent teeth.
So, do not be too worried when you notice tiny teeth on the puppy’s bowl.
However, it is not always that teeth falling out is an ordinary situation. You need to distinguish between when it is normal and not for your dog’s health.
Dogs Losing Teeth: When It Is Normal
A dog’s teeth development stages are very much like humans. They are born without teeth and grow deciduous teeth which later fall out to make room for permanent teeth.
Between 3 and 6 months, pups shed their baby teeth. The permanent ones, including molars, now grow. These permanent teeth should not fall out and largely contribute to the strength of the dog’s jaw.
At an early age, you will notice tiny teeth around the house, in your dog’s feeding bowl, or holes in the gums. This is normal, provided your dog has no periodontal conditions.
Sometimes, the falling teeth may go unnoticed as the pups swallow them, which is completely harmless.
Dog Losing Teeth: When It’s NOT Normal
Sometimes, you will notice your dog losing teeth in the most unnatural ways. Although a dog can survive without a single tooth, teeth play an essential role in the feeding and safety of the dog.
So, when should you be concerned about your dog’s teeth falling out?
First, if your dog experienced trauma to the mouth, a few teeth may fall out. Maybe it fell from a great height, was hit by a car, collided with a blunt object, or was hit by one of its toys. This is no normal condition, and you should seek help from your veterinarian for more information and treatment.
When your puppy chews on hard toys, even veterinary specialists warn against them as they could lead to teeth loss.
Next, the dog’s health is essential. But when faced with periodontal conditions like gum diseases, dog teeth become loose and start to fall out. The tartar building along the gum provides a breeding ground for bacteria, which compromises the structure of the teeth. Many of these conditions can be avoided with regular brushing. See how often you should brush your dog’s teeth.
When Do Puppy Teeth Start Falling Out?
Pups have very sharp deciduous teeth, which grow in a few weeks after they are born. However, they lose their baby teeth a lot faster compared to human babies. At around four months of age, depending on the breed of dog you have, the pup starts losing its baby teeth.
A total of 42 permanent teeth grow in place, including 16 premolars and ten molars.
It is crucial you keep an eye on your puppy when shedding its deciduous teeth or permanent teeth.
As mentioned before, a dog losing its teeth at the age of 3 months is typical. However, look out for signs that could suggest otherwise, such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums, foul breath, blood in the saliva, drooling, or appetite loss.
Once you notice these signs, you should seek immediate help from a vet because these could indicate an underlying condition.
To conclude, it is okay for your dog to be losing its teeth at a young age. At the early age of 8 weeks, you will notice the teeth falling out. And this is completely normal. What is not normal is when you see an adult dog losing its teeth, or having a characteristic foul odor, despite your regular dental care.
At that time, visit your vet for a checkup and treatment, just in case your dog is experiencing some dental health condition.
Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth Much Like Human Babies – They Fall Out As The Adult Teeth Come In
Just like human babies, puppies go through a process of losing their baby teeth and getting their adult teeth. Usually, this happens between 4 and 6 months of age. Puppies have 28 baby teeth, which start to fall out as the adult teeth come in. By the time they are adults, they will have 42 teeth. Most of the time, puppies will simply swallow their baby teeth as they fall out.
However, you may sometimes find a tooth on the ground or in their toy box. If you are concerned about your puppy swallowing their tooth, you can talk to your veterinarian about getting them a special dog toothbrush or paying for dental cleaning. Either way, it is important to remember that this is a normal part of puppy development and nothing to worry about!
Baby Teeth Play An Important Role In Puppy Development, Helping To Chew Food And Learn How To Eat Properly
Puppies are born without any teeth, but by the time they are around six weeks old, they will start to develop their first set of baby teeth. These teeth play an important role in puppy development, helping them to learn how to chew food and eat properly. For Puppies, losing their baby teeth is also a normal part of development. Around four months old, their adult teeth will start to come in, and by six months old, they will have a full set of permanent teeth.
While it may seem like a lot of trouble for something that’s only temporary, taking care of your puppy’s baby teeth is important for their overall health. Baby teeth help puppies to eat correctly and develop strong jaw muscles. They also play a role in guiding the adult teeth into place. As a result, it’s important to brush your puppy’s teeth regularly and take them to the vet for regular check-ups. Taking care of your puppy’s teeth now will help ensure a healthy mouth for years to come.
Dog Owners Should Keep An Eye On Their Puppies’ Baby Teeth And Make Sure They’re Not Losing Them Too Early
Like human babies, puppies are born without any teeth. Around three to four weeks of age, they’ll start to get their baby teeth, which are also called deciduous teeth or milk teeth. By the time they’re six to eight weeks old, they should have all 28 of their baby teeth. These teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by their adult teeth, but it’s important to make sure that the process happens at the right time.
If a puppy loses its baby teeth too early, it could lead to problems with their adult teeth later on. For example, if the adult canine tooth comes in before the baby tooth falls out, it may not come in properly and could end up being misaligned. Therefore, dog owners should keep an eye on their puppies’ baby teeth and make sure they’re not losing them too early. Once they start to lose them, they should consult with their veterinarian to make sure everything is on track.
Dogs Are Born With Baby Teeth, Just Like Humans
Like human babies, puppies are born with a set of temporary teeth, often called “deciduous” or “milk” teeth. These teeth usually begin to appear at around 2-3 weeks of age, and they typically fall out around 4-6 months old as the adult teeth start to come in. Although they eventually fall out, baby teeth serve an important purpose in puppies: they help them learn how to chew properly and eat solid food.
Additionally, baby teeth can also help socialize puppies, as they provide a way for them to playfully interact with their littermates and mother. For all these reasons, it’s important not to remove a puppy’s baby teeth prematurely. If you have any concerns about your puppy’s teeth, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian.
Baby Teeth Help Dogs Learn How To Chew And Eat Properly
Just like human babies, puppies are born without teeth. However, their baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth) start to come in around three weeks of age. These teeth are important for a number of reasons. First, they help the puppy learn how to chew properly. Puppies need to learn how to control their bite and not to chew too hard, or they could damage their adult teeth.
Second, baby teeth help puppies eat solid food. Soft, mushy food is fine for very young puppies, but at some point, they need to learn to eat dry food – and their baby teeth are essential for that transition. Lastly, baby teeth play an important role in socialization. Puppies use their mouths a lot when they’re playing with other dogs, and their baby teeth help them communicate effectively with their canine companions. So while they may be small and fleeting, baby teeth are actually very important for dogs.
