The new dog you brought home seems to double in size every day. There will be numerous “firsts” along the way, and you will likely have questions, but that’s okay. Our new canine companions, as they mature, develop their own personalities, and become used to their new environment, often experience significant changes such as teeth falling out.
This article will discuss the best ways to care for your puppy when it is teething so that you will know precisely what to do when your dog starts to snag its teeth.
When Do Babies Start to Experiencing Teething?
The image of a crying baby with teeth poking out of its gums is the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of teething. Crying, drooling, and frantic attempts by worried parents to calm their distressed kids are all common side effects of this procedure. The method is much the same for pups as it is for people.
Baby teeth (commonly known as “milk” teeth) and permanent adult teeth are both developed in a dog’s mouth. There may be an increase in drooling and maybe some blood as a puppy’s first teeth come in. Relax; this is to be expected and integral to the procedure.
When Do Puppies Start Losing Teeth?
Puppies don’t get their first set of visible teeth until roughly six weeks after birth. Deciduous (or “milk” or “baby”) teeth are shed and then replaced by permanent teeth, much as this happens in humans. The entire set of permanent teeth in a pet should erupt between the ages of 4 and 6 months, according to pet experts.
- 2-4 Weeks Old: At this point, your puppy should still be with its mother when its baby teeth start growing.
- 5-6 Weeks Old: In just double, the amount of time it took the baby teeth to begin showing, all of the baby teeth will have grown in.
- 12-16 Weeks Old: Not soon after, the baby teeth will begin falling out as the adult teeth begin to set in.
- 6 Months Old: In the blink of an eye, all of your dog’s baby teeth should be gone, and their new set of adult teeth will be grown.
Help for Toothless Puppies
If your puppy is starting to lose its baby teeth, there are a few things you should look out for that may be more indicative of its health and growth.
Sometimes, our pups may not even react to the loss of a tooth. Puppy tooth loss may occur during play or when puppies swallow toys or food whole. If your dog is still engaging in typical puppy activities, such as being playful or showing an interest in toys, it is probably okay to let the teething process continue.
The normal loss of a puppy’s newborn tooth might be complicated in rare cases. At eight months of age, if you see that your puppy still has any baby teeth, you may want to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have them removed. Pet owners who attempt to remove a baby tooth on their own run the danger of injuring their pet or damaging the tooth’s root, both of which may lead to infections.
How Long Do Puppies Have to Keep Teething?
Puppies’ adult teeth will start to come in once they’ve finished losing their baby teeth, often between the ages of three and four months. Puppies’ pain, red and swollen gums, and increased saliva production are all normal responses to teething, which occurs when their baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth begin to grow in. Once a puppy reaches roughly 6 months of age, the teething phase should be finished and all 48 permanent teeth will have erupted.
Can Dogs and Puppies Experience Dental Issues?
When pups are young, they often have dental issues. There’s no question that we’re always trying to improve the conditions in which our puppies develop and thrive. Although we take extra particular care of our newborn puppies’ teeth, they nonetheless sometimes develop difficulties.
Cracks in Teeth
Unfortunately, the idea that a puppy’s baby teeth are weaker than permanent teeth follows from the fact that they are not supposed to endure. Puppy tooth fractures occur when the puppy tries to bite something too hard or is unable to chew on it, and the tooth breaks.
The presence of two sets of teeth
If an adult tooth does not erupt through the gums and replace a baby tooth, the result might be double teeth, which are not as frightening as they may seem. Keeping the additional tooth is not a viable option in this situation. The removal of the baby’s teeth may need a trip to the veterinarian.
Problems with or Absence of Teeth
Puppies often have teeth that are late in coming in or are absent altogether. It does not always cause for alarm, but because this is a congenital condition, the tooth may never develop or may have problems erupting through the gum. The only way to tell whether this is the case is via an x-ray, and if it is, the only way to get the tooth out is through surgery.
Malformed Bite
Dogs may acquire malocclusions, or aberrant bites, as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment over time. Abnormal canine bites may make eating and drinking painful for the dog. The degree of severity affects the course of treatment.
Your Puppy’s Teeth: How to Take Care of Them
The likelihood of your pet biting you as you clean their teeth might be reduced if they are used to having things other than food placed in their mouth from an early age. If you start brushing your pet’s teeth from a young age, they will be more receptive to having their teeth cleaned in the future. The following procedures will make cleaning your pet’s teeth easier for both of you.
Step 1: Buy dog toothpaste and a dog toothbrush
Regular brushing with dog-safe toothpaste will keep your pet’s teeth healthy and decrease plaque buildup. If your dog is resisting the procedure, you may use dog-friendly alternatives like bacon-flavored toothpaste. To avoid irritating the dog’s gums, we advise using a toothbrush with fewer and gentler bristles.
Step 2: Make sure your dog is calm
If you can sense that your dog is riled up or uneasy when caring for its teeth, it may be that your dog has anxiety. Ensure to not be too forceful with your dog if they are showing consistent signs of discomfort.
Step 3: Rub your dog’s gums
Rubbing your dog’s gums can lead to temporary pain relief. The pressure from rubbing can release and soothe your puppy’s gums as they are teething.
Step 4: Let your dog taste the toothpaste
After your dog has allowed you to gently touch its gums, you may use a little quantity of dog-specific toothpaste on your finger to introduce it to canine dental care. It’s crucial that your dog enjoys using dog-friendly toothpaste since you don’t want to force your dog to ingest anything it doesn’t like. Peanut butter and bacon are just two of the many flavors available for dog toothpaste.
Step 5: Start brushing in circular motions
To having one’s hands stuffed into one’s pet’s mouth is an unpleasant experience. That’s why it’s crucial to win over your pet’s confidence when cleaning its teeth. If you brush your dog’s teeth in small, circular strokes, you’ll be more likely to get to the parts of the tooth that are more prone to plaque buildup.
Step 6: Target the plaque
By brushing in circular motions, you are essentially reaching a wider surface area of the tooth in a gentler way, including those areas likely to see an abundance of plaque.
Step 7: Provide positive reinforcement
Brushing your dog’s teeth is a great opportunity to show him or her some love and reassurance that this is a good experience. Brushing your dog’s teeth will become less of a chore for both of you as your dog learns to associate the experience with good outcomes.
In Conclusion
Getting a new puppy is a huge responsibility since it’s such a monumental occasion in our lives. Be sure to keep track of your puppy’s growth and development, as well as their oral health, as you navigate this new phase of puppy ownership.