Retained baby teeth?

[TheRedQueen]

Any ideas on how to get baby teeth to loosen a bit? Fig has double canines on top...(kinda cute...little shark teeth)...but I would like them to come out like they're supposed to do! They're not loose at all...and the adult teeth are fully in now.

Everyone's recommended giving him things to chew on...to help shake them loose.
He already gets a lot of things to chew, and he's got more now...and nothing is helping. He'll be going in for his neuter in a month or so...but I'd rather not have to get his teeth pulled too.

Any ideas, suggestions, advice?

[BullyLady]

It's not unusual for small breed dogs to retain baby teeth, the answer is usually just to have them pulled under anesthesia. It's my understanding that the tooth just won't ever loosen, but it will die and get all discolored and stuff. If he's going under for a neuter anyways you might as well just have them pulled then.

[Marinepits]

It's my understanding that the tooth just won't ever loosen, but it will die and get all discolored and stuff.

Agreed. Indy had one baby canine that never fell out and his was pulled when he was neutered.

[TheRedQueen]

Alrighty... this is what I was afraid of...

[katiek0417]

Alrighty... this is what I was afraid of...

Both of Axo's lower canines almost fully came in before his puppy's came out. Both vets told me that they would go ahead and pull them b/c they can end up being more trouble than they're worth. His adult canines weren't fully in, and they still told me to pull the baby ones...

I ended up taking him in, and even though his upper adult canines hadn't even started to come in, they went ahead and pulled the 2 baby ones on the bottom and the 2 baby ones on top (so I wouldn't have to worry about it if they didn't come out on their own)...

It was a light sedation, and all 4 canines out were out within 2-3 minutes...

[blabsforbullies]

Unfortunately, nothing will help make them loose. Having said that, it really will be a quick and, relatively speaking, painless procedure if you have it done when he's neutered.

As mentioned, it's VERY common with the little guys.

[TheRedQueen]

So they'll be relatively quick n' easy to come out? I remember helping with dentals when I was a vet asst. and seeing them work teeeth out was sooooo awful! *shudder* I'm guessing since they're baby teeth that the roots aren't so deep?

[katiek0417]

So they'll be relatively quick n' easy to come out? I remember helping with dentals when I was a vet asst. and seeing them work teeeth out was sooooo awful! *shudder* I'm guessing since they're baby teeth that the roots aren't so deep?

I am by no means a vet...but I will tell you that Axo's were out before I even walked out of the building...

There were no limitations on eating a raw diet, or chewing on bones...he wasn't, however, allowed to do bitework for a week (which you wouldn't have to worry about)...and there was no blood or anything...

And I think you're right, because they're baby teeth, the roots aren't as deep...pulling an adult canine is much more involved, as I understand...

In fact, I think they just gave Axo Dormitor when they did his...

[TheRedQueen]

Thanks Katrina!

I saw so many teeth pulled, loose teeth on adults that took a looong time to actually pull out...so it just worried me that he'd be out for a long time! He's so little!

[Malli]

I believe adults are more difficult because 1) the have big roots and 2) usually the tooth being removed is diseased and it is ideal to take it out in one piece (diseased teeth break REALLY easily), so takes longer and is harder to remove....

[katiek0417]

Thanks Katrina!

I saw so many teeth pulled, loose teeth on adults that took a looong time to actually pull out...so it just worried me that he'd be out for a long time! He's so little!

Understandable!

[plebayo]

Thanks Katrina!

I saw so many teeth pulled, loose teeth on adults that took a looong time to actually pull out...so it just worried me that he'd be out for a long time! He's so little!

You could always shop around for a veterinarian who can do the job quickly. I work in a three doctor practice and the boys are all super speedy with pulling teeth. The female vet however takes FOREVER because she's a weenie and we have to take x-rays and she's super slow drilling and on and on... The boys rarely every take dental rads. Odds are the tooth will come out pretty easily with no issues since it really isn't supposed to still be there anyway. As it was said as well the roots aren't as deep as that of an adult dog either.

[amazincc]

Faust had to have some baby teeth pulled... I didn't even know until I went to pick him up after his neuter, and my vet did it as a courtesy - no charge.

Good thoughts going out to Fig!

[blabsforbullies]

Yes, the roots are far less deep and with an experienced person, shouldn't take long at all.

[TheRedQueen]

Thanks everyone...I feel MUCH better about this now!

[carrieinindy]

Deciduous teeth are fairly common especially in the little guys. Quick and easy to remove under general anesthesia or a domitor cocktail....good idea to remove at the time of a neuter...If not removed, they can affect the adult canine roots and certainly can lead to tartar accumulation.

Adult teeth can sometimes be much more difficult to remove-certainly the big premolar in the back is a tough one and commonly gets fractured secondary to chewing-extraction or a root canal is recommended. Pain meds after extraction as well as an antibiotic is also recommended (you would get pain meds anyway after an elective procedure-neuter). Dental x-rays (although sometimes a pain) is becoming the standard of care and boarded veterinary dentists wouldn't even think of performing an extraction with pre and post rads to ensure the roots are completely out.

HTH!
~removing the baby teeth will be so much less painful then the neuter
~p.s. I really need to figure out the smilies