Puppy Care

Puppies are born without teeth. Their baby teeth start poking through the gums between two and three weeks of age. At about three months, your puppy will start losing her baby teeth while her adult teeth come in. You may find your puppy's baby teeth in her toys or on the carpet. She may even eat them, but this is normal and shouldn't cause a problem. Adult teeth continue to come in, in stages, until your puppy is about eight months old, at which time the last molars appear. Most adult dogs have 42 teeth.

Retained Baby Teeth

Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out when the adult teeth start coming in. If you see a double row of teeth in your puppy's mouth, this means that she has retained some of her baby teeth. (This is a condition seen more commonly in toy breeds.) It causes the adult teeth to push out of place, which can lead to a bad bite and injuries to the gums. Treatment usually involves removal of the baby teeth by a veterinarian. A convenient time to remove retained baby teeth is when you have your puppy neutered, because she already will be under anesthesia.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems seen in veterinary practices. It's rare for puppies to have it, but starting prevention now is the key to helping your dog avoid it as she grows older. There are two forms of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.

In gingivitis, tartar builds up around the gum line, causing small pockets that trap food and bacteria. Smaller breeds, and certain breeds such as the Poodle, are very prone to tartar buildup.

Symptoms include bad breath. The gums may be swollen, red, and bleed easily when touched. You may even see pus if you press along the gum line.

If left untreated, gingivitis turns into periodontitis, at which time the gum infection attacks the membrane that holds the teeth in the bone. Teeth become loose and eventually fall out. Root abscesses also may occur, which are very painful. Symptoms include drooling and a reluctance to eat. Treatment involves professional teeth cleaning by your veterinarian. Your dog will be sedated, and the veterinarian will scale and clean her teeth and remove any damaged ones. Some dogs have the disease so badly that they lose most of their teeth. You can help to prevent periodontal diseaseand save yourself a good bit of money in dentistry costsby beginning a good dental care program now.