Retained Baby Teeth (Double Teeth)

What to do

1. Check your puppy's mouth often from about 3 to 7 months old, as the adult teeth come in.
2. Book a vet visit as soon as you see an adult tooth beside a baby tooth. Don't wait for the baby tooth to fall out.
3. The usual treatment is removing the baby tooth under anesthesia, taking care to protect the adult tooth.
4. If a spay or neuter is already booked very soon, your vet may do both together, but in most cases it's better not to wait for it.

When to call your vet

• An adult tooth next to a baby tooth
• Two teeth in one spot, most often the fangs
• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Baby teeth still in place at 6 to 7 months

Why

A baby tooth that stays can push its adult tooth out of place within 2 to 3 weeks, causing a bad bite. Food also gets trapped between the crowded teeth, which leads to gum disease.