My dog's baby teeth didn't fall out and are dark. Do they need removal?

This can be a common issue in young dogs, especially of small breeds. If the canine tooth doesn't fall out by the time the adult tooth has grown in, we normally recommend removal of this tooth at the pet's spay or neuter. The tooth can be a site that easily gets infected or is easily broken, and this is the reason we recommend removal,though we do see dogs who live with the baby tooth and don't have problems with them. They are also an area where tartar quickly accumulates as they age.

If the deciduous (baby) teeth are still in after the adult teeth have fully erupted, then they will need to be extracted by your veterinarian. Left in, they can push the adult teeth out of alignment, catch food and debris and promote infection. The teeth can be extracted while Turbo is anesthetized if he is to be neutered soon. This is common in smaller breeds but eaisly remedied and should cause no further issues once the baby teeth are out.

It should be removed, as it can cause Casper's permanent teeth to move into incorrect positions, resulting in an abnormal bite pattern. It can also lead to abnormal jaw position. I would take him into the vet to have the tooth removed under anesthesia.

If you are planning on having Samuel neutered your vet may recommend having any remaining baby teeth extracted at that time. If not, your vet will likely want to remove them at the time of Samuel’s first yearly dental cleaning, as retained baby teeth can lead to increased gum and dental disease. It is a good idea to start brushing his teeth daily with an enzymatic pet toothpaste to help prevent /reduce gum disease. Small breed or toy dogs are prone to retained teeth and dental disease and should be treated with daily tooth brushing at home and at least yearly dental cleanings at the vet to help prevent pain from dental disease.

At six months of age, there is a chance that the baby canine teeth might still fall out on their own. I usually tell my clients that if they're still there by the time the dog is a year old, they definitely need to be removed.

It is not uncommon for smaller breeds to have retained deciduous (baby) teeth. Have Peanut examined by your veterinarian. If the teeth are not loose, they will need to be manually extracted. This can be done when she is under anesthesia for her spay. Left in, the baby teeth can cause adult teeth to become misaligned causing bite issues. As you're seeing, the space between can collect food which will promote bacterial growth, infection and bad breath.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Labs very rarely have retained by teeth so give it another few weeks and they are likely to fall right out. If there are still baby teeth at about a year of age, they can be removed. Best wishes to you and Shiner!