You look into your puppy's mouth and notice what looks like a double row of teeth — baby teeth still hanging on while adult teeth are coming in behind them.
This condition is called retained deciduous teeth, or more commonly, "double teeth" or "persistent baby teeth." It happens when a puppy's baby (deciduous) teeth fail to fall out on schedule, and the permanent teeth erupt right behind or beside them.
Retained baby teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue. They can cause overcrowding, misalignment, increased tartar buildup, gum irritation, and even orthodontic problems that affect your dog's bite for life. The good news? It's one of the most treatable dental conditions in young dogs.
Here's what every puppy owner needs to know about retained baby teeth — which breeds are most affected, when to worry, and how to manage the fallout at home.
When Should Puppy Teeth Fall Out?
Puppies have 28 baby teeth that begin erupting at 3-4 weeks of age. The timeline for losing them looks like this:
- Incisors (front teeth): 3-5 months old
- Canines (fang teeth): 4-6 months old
- Premolars: 4-6 months old
By 6-7 months, most puppies have all 42 adult teeth and zero baby teeth remaining. If a baby tooth is still present when the adult tooth has fully erupted beside it, that baby tooth is considered "retained."
Why Do Baby Teeth Get Stuck?
The most common reason is that the root of the baby tooth doesn't resorb (dissolve) properly. In a normal shedding process, the growing permanent tooth pushes against the baby tooth root, triggering the body to reabsorb it. When this resorption doesn't happen, the baby tooth stays firmly anchored.
Several factors increase the risk:
- Breed predisposition — Small and toy breeds are overwhelmingly most affected
- Delayed root resorption — Some puppy's bodies simply take longer
- Crowded jaw — Small mouths with many teeth create physical barriers
Which Breeds Are Most Prone?
Retained baby teeth are disproportionately common in small and toy breeds. These are the highest-risk breeds:
- Chihuahuas — The #1 breed for retained teeth
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Dachshunds
- Maltese
- Pomeranians
- Shih Tzus
- Miniature Poodles
- Pugs
- Boston Terriers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
If you own one of these breeds, start checking your puppy's mouth weekly from 4 months of age onward.
Problems Caused by Retained Baby Teeth
Overcrowding and Misalignment
Two teeth occupying the same gum space means neither sits correctly. This creates abnormal wear patterns and can lead to malocclusion (bad bite). In severe cases, the adult tooth erupts at an angle and rubs against the roof of the mouth or other teeth.
Increased Plaque and Tartar Trapping
The tight gap between the retained baby tooth and the adult tooth is a perfect trap for food particles and bacteria. Plaque builds up faster in these spaces, and brushing alone often can't reach them. This is where daily finger wipes make a big difference — the textured surface can slide between crowded teeth better than a toothbrush bristle can.
Using RunyePet Dental Finger Wipes daily helps clear the food debris and plaque from these tight spaces. For extra cleaning power, RunyePet Dog Dental Cleaning Powder added to food helps soften any tartar that starts forming in the hard-to-reach gaps.
Gum Irritation and Inflammation
The double tooth creates friction against the gum tissue, which can cause localized gingivitis. You may notice redness or bleeding in the area around the retained tooth.
Periodontal Pocket Formation (Advanced)
If left untreated, the space between the two teeth can deepen into a periodontal pocket — a gap where bacteria multiply below the gum line. This is harder to treat and may eventually lead to bone loss around the affected tooth.
When to Extract Retained Baby Teeth
Veterinary dental specialists generally recommend extraction if:
- The baby tooth is still present when the adult tooth is more than halfway erupted
- The baby tooth is causing gum irritation or bleeding
- The adult tooth is visibly displaced (erupting at an abnormal angle)
- The clearance between baby and adult tooth is so tight that you can't fit a fingernail in the gap
The ideal window for extraction is between 5-8 months of age. After that, the permanent tooth may have already shifted permanently, and the retained tooth's root may have fused more strongly to the bone.
Important: Do not try to pull a retained baby tooth at home. The root is often longer and more firmly anchored than it looks. Pulling it incorrectly can break the root, leaving fragments behind that cause infection.
Daily Care for Dogs with Retained Baby Teeth
While waiting for extraction or if extraction isn't recommended for a mild case:
- Daily finger wipe cleaning — Focus on the gap between the two teeth. RunyePet Dental Finger Wipes can slide into the crevice better than a brush.
- Dental powder for plaque control — The RunyePet Dog Dental Cleaning Powder works from the inside, helping break down plaque before it hardens in those tight spaces.
- The complete kit — RunyePet Dental Cleaning Kit bundles both for the most thorough daily routine.
- Avoid extreme chew toys — Hard chews can aggravate the double-tooth area. Stick to soft rubber toys.
- Weekly mouth checks — Lift the lip and look. If the area is redder or more swollen than last week, move up the vet visit.
FAQs
Will retained baby teeth fall out on their own?
Occasionally a retained tooth will loosen and shed between 6-8 months, but most need veterinary extraction. If the adult tooth is already fully erupted beside it, spontaneous shedding is unlikely because the root hasn't resorbed.
Does extraction hurt my puppy?
The extraction is done under general anesthesia, so your puppy feels nothing during the procedure. Post-operative pain is managed with medication. Most puppies are back to normal within 24-48 hours.
Can retained baby teeth affect my adult dog's health?
Yes. Long-term retained teeth increase the risk of periodontal disease, tooth decay, and bite abnormalities in the affected area. The earlier they're addressed, the better the outcome for the permanent teeth.
How much does extraction cost?
Costs vary widely by location and clinic. Simple extraction of a single retained baby tooth typically costs $50-$200. Multiple teeth or complex extractions (like impacted canines) cost more. Many clinics bundle extraction with the spay/neuter procedure if the timing aligns.
Can I prevent retained baby teeth?
There's no proven prevention method. Regular mouth checks starting at 4 months allow early detection. Early extraction (before 8 months) prevents the secondary problems but doesn't prevent the retention itself.
The Bottom Line
Retained baby teeth are extremely common in small breed dogs and easy to miss if you aren't looking for them. Start checking your puppy's mouth weekly at 4 months. If you see a double row of teeth, don't panic — but don't ignore it either. A simple veterinary extraction at the right time prevents a lifetime of dental problems.
In the meantime, keep those crowded teeth clean with daily finger wipes. RunyePet Dental Finger Wipes are gentle enough for puppy mouths and effective at reaching the tight spaces where double teeth trap food and plaque. Add RunyePet Dog Dental Cleaning Powder for comprehensive coverage.
