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What problems may residual baby teeth in dogs cause

As we joyfully watch our dog grow from a wobbly puppy to a lively and adorable puppy, the teething period is a crucial stage in this growth process.

As we joyfully watch our dog grow from a wobbly puppy to a lively and adorable puppy, the teething period is a crucial stage in this growth process. However, the seemingly insignificant issue of residual baby teeth during dog tooth replacement may pose many health risks to the dog.

Oral infection:

The most common problem with residual baby teeth in dogs is causing oral infections. Under normal circumstances, a dog's permanent teeth will replace its baby teeth at the appropriate time. But if the baby teeth do not fall off in time, permanent teeth may grow misaligned next to the baby teeth. In this way, gaps and blind spots that are difficult to clean will form between teeth, and food residues are easily left behind. These residues can rapidly breed a large number of bacteria in the warm and humid environment of the oral cavity, leading to oral inflammations such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Imagine how painful it would be for a dog to eat due to food residue hidden in the gaps between its teeth, constantly being eroded by bacteria, causing swollen and painful gums. My friend has a little Pomeranian and didn't notice the issue of residual baby teeth during the tooth replacement period. After a period of time, dogs begin to drool frequently, become cautious when eating, and even resist brushing their teeth. I took it to the pet hospital for examination and found that it was the residual baby teeth that caused severe periodontitis. The gums had already shrunk, and the treatment process was long and painful. Seeing the dog's uncomfortable appearance, my friend regretted deeply and regretted not discovering the problem earlier.

Occlusion disorder:

Residual baby teeth may also lead to bite disorders in dogs. When the growth position of permanent teeth is disturbed by deciduous teeth, the dog's upper and lower teeth cannot align and bite properly. This not only affects the chewing function of dogs, making it difficult for them to fully chew food, thereby affecting nutrient absorption, but may also lead to indigestion and weight loss in dogs in the long run. Moreover, bite disorder can make dogs easily bite the oral mucosa while eating, causing oral ulcers and further exacerbating their pain.

There was once a Border Collie who had serious bite problems due to residual baby teeth and crooked permanent teeth. Originally lively and enthusiastic about food, it becomes extremely difficult every time it eats, and can only swallow food whole. The owner watched the dog gradually lose weight and felt heartbroken. He took it to the hospital for a series of corrective treatments, which gradually improved its bite condition. During this process, both the dog and the owner experienced a lot of pressure, which made us deeply aware of the serious impact of residual baby teeth on the dog's bite.

Abnormal development of permanent teeth:

In addition, residual deciduous teeth can hinder the normal growth and development of permanent teeth. When permanent teeth sprout, if they are obstructed by deciduous teeth, they may not be able to break through the gums smoothly, resulting in obstructed growth, abnormal growth direction, and even malformed teeth. These abnormally developed permanent teeth not only affect the oral appearance of dogs, but more importantly, they are more prone to problems such as dental caries and looseness, greatly shortening the service life of teeth and increasing the risk of oral diseases in dogs.

For example, some dogs have crooked permanent teeth due to residual baby teeth, making it difficult to thoroughly clean all sides of their teeth when brushing. Over time, this can easily lead to dental caries. Once dental caries develop severely, tooth extraction may be necessary, which can cause significant physical and psychological harm to dogs.

The problem caused by residual baby teeth in dogs should not be underestimated, as it concerns their oral health, dietary status, and overall quality of life. As owners, we should pay extra attention to the condition of our dogs' teeth during the tooth replacement period, carefully observe whether the baby teeth fall out in a timely manner, and whether the permanent teeth grow normally. Once signs of residual baby teeth are found, it is necessary to take the dog to a pet hospital in a timely manner and have a professional veterinarian handle it.

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