Puppy Teeth

Puppy teeth start appearing when dogs are about four weeks old. These are temporary or baby teeth that do not have roots. By the time the young dog is around six weeks old, most of the deciduous canine, incisive, and molar teeth are in place. As puppies are apt to bite their mother’s nipples, puppies are normally weaned as soon as the first set of teeth start appearing.

The deciduous, or temporary teeth, start falling out as the roots of the permanent teeth start pushing upwards. The method of renewal is normally accomplished by the time the dog is about eight months old. The incisors are the first deciduous teeth to fall out and the molars are generally the last.

When the deciduous teeth are being substituted by permanent ones, is when dog owners start noticing the first signs of canine bad breath. Bad dog breath in puppies during this time is normal and can be easily treated with a dog oral breath spray.

The precise timing when the temporary teeth are shed alters from breed to breed and in most cases, the owners are not even aware of the action that is happening. This is chiefly because of the fact that the puppy teeth are swallowed with food and do not actually fall out.

In rare cases, a temporary deciduous tooth may be pushed aside by the emerging permanent one. This tooth may be retained along with the permanent one. Deciduous teeth that do not fall out should be removed by a veterinarian as they can cause a bad bite or malocclusion, a condition where the upper and lower teeth do not engage properly. A bad bite can later lead to tooth decay problems with eating and other dental problems.

Although dogs do not develop cavities, dental care is as crucial for dogs as it is for humans. The correct time to train dogs to accept brushing of teeth and cleaning is when they are young. Make certain that you use toothpaste that is intended specifically for dogs. The most recommended is a paste that has a chicken flavor.

It may take a while for you also to get used to the method of cleaning your puppy’s teeth. Hold his head with your hand on the neck. Ensure that you slide the brush or thimble by the side of the jaw. If you try and insert the toothbrush directly, your puppy will probably bite it off. To prevent excessive salivation, use small quantities of toothpaste.

Dogs are prone to rapid build up of tartar if puppy teeth are not brushed on a regular basis. Tartar build up is the first stage of a dental disease. If you train your puppy to accept teeth cleaning regularly you will be able to prevent tooth decay and dental diseases like tooth abscess, gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis.