Retained Puppy Teeth: What to Do When Baby Teeth Persist

Like people, dogs grow two sets of teeth in their lifetime: a primary set of baby teeth that appear shortly after birth and a permanent set of adult teeth they keep throughout their life, barring disease or injury.

Teething can be a tricky phase for puppies. Providing appropriate chew toys can relieve gum soreness, protect your belongings, reduce discomfort, and help you monitor your puppy’s dental health.

In most cases, teething progresses smoothly as adult teeth push out the baby teeth naturally. However, sometimes adult teeth don’t fully displace the baby teeth, resulting in what is called retained puppy teeth. This issue most commonly affects the canine teeth — the prominent pointed teeth next to the front incisors — but retained baby teeth can show up anywhere in the mouth.

This article will guide you through the puppy teeth development timeline, explain why retained teeth happen, and what actions you should take if you notice this condition in your pup.

When Do Puppies Get Their First Teeth?

Puppies are born without teeth, but their baby teeth start breaking through at about 3 weeks old, beginning with the incisors. By 6 weeks of age, most puppies have all 28 baby teeth.

When Do Puppies Get Their Adult Teeth?

Adult teeth start to erupt around 3 months of age, marking the official teething phase. During this time, puppies often chew intensely and may show signs of mild discomfort as the new teeth push out the baby teeth.

The adult teeth loosen the baby teeth causing them to fall out naturally — sometimes so discreetly owners don’t even notice since puppies often swallow the tiny baby teeth. By the time puppies reach 6 to 8 months, their full set of 42 adult teeth should be in place.

How Do Adult Teeth Replace Baby Teeth?

Normally, adult teeth develop beneath the baby teeth, gently pushing them loose until they eventually fall out. Occasionally, if an adult tooth grows at an abnormal angle, incorrect size, or doesn’t fully erupt, it might not dislodge the baby tooth properly. This results in retained teeth where baby and adult teeth coexist in the same spot, sometimes overlapping or crowding, or leaving an adult tooth partially embedded in the gum.

What to Do If Your Puppy Has Retained Teeth?

Retained baby teeth may cause crowding, which can make chewing or biting uncomfortable and increase the risk of gum disease and cavities due to trapped food and bacteria.

Pain or pressure can arise from two teeth occupying one space, particularly in breeds prone to dental crowding such as brachycephalic breeds. In the United States, these breeds include popular companions like the Pug and the French Bulldog.

Small and toy breeds in America, including Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Toy Poodles, are especially susceptible to retained baby teeth affecting their dental health.

During the teething phase, provide your puppy with safe chew toys to help ease soreness and encourage adult teeth to emerge. Routinely inspect your puppy’s mouth for unusual double teeth, empty spots where teeth are missing, irritation, lumps, or baby teeth that just won’t fall out.

If you suspect your puppy has retained teeth but aren’t sure, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. They may suggest dental X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment often involves surgically extracting the retained baby teeth under general anesthesia to prevent crowding and other dental complications.

In some situations, if the retained teeth don’t cause pain or problems, the veterinarian might recommend monitoring rather than immediate removal.

Early veterinary checks starting around 4 months of age are vital, especially for breeds prone to this issue, to detect and address retained teeth promptly. Timely removal helps ensure the adult teeth develop correctly, avoiding malocclusion or the need for specialized dental care later on.