Why Is My Dog Losing Teeth?

Do you have a puppy or a very young dog?

Did your dog had an accident in which he hit his mouth or head?

Does your dog exhibits symptoms like bad breath, bloody or ropey saliva, problems picking up food, chewing on one side of the mouth, etc?

Does your dog show signs of some metabolic disorder or malnutrition?

A puppy’s deciduous (baby) teeth begin to come in between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Between 3 and 6 months of age, a puppy’s baby teeth start falling out and the permanent teeth come in. During this time, you might find see a hole in the gums where a tooth was or find tiny teeth lying around the house or in your puppy’s food bowl. If this is the case, there is nothing to worry about.

Loss of teeth in adult dogs is sometimes the result of injury or trauma. For example, an accident in which your dog hits his mouth or head - such as in a car accident - can result in teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. If this is the case, you should take your dog to the veterinarian.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to tartar accumulation, which will progress to periodontal disease if left untreated. Periodontal disease is a common cause of teeth loss in adults, as a periodontal disease will cause infections, abscess formation, and bone loss, which in turn will cause teeth to become loose and fall out. Periodontal disease can be prevented with good oral hygiene.

Metabolic disorders or a poor diet can lead to tooth loss over time. For example, malnutrition, distemper, and several other traumas suffered when your dog is a puppy can lead to abnormal development of the teeth and tooth enamel. This results in weaker teeth that are more prone to plaque and decay.

Even though your dog is an adult, the teeth you see falling off could be his deciduous or baby teeth. Although baby teeth are supposed to fall out on their own, this doesn't always happen, and it can lead to overcrowded and misaligned teeth once the adult teeth come in. Your vet can examine your dog to make sure all deciduous teeth are out. If they're not, your vet can remove them while your dog is getting spayed or neutered, as tooth extraction needs to be done under general anesthesia.