Hi All,

I hear that poodles are notorious for retaining baby teeth and my mini seems to be no exception. She is 6 mos now and still has two top baby canines right next to the new ones. Is this going to be a problem? How long should I wait to see if they will fall out on their own? Do I need to have them pulled?

Thanks
Lorna

One of my dals did this, and the vet had to extract them (his mum retained only one which also had to be taken out under anaesthetic, so there may be an hereditary factor here). It happens when the root of the milk tooth hasn't been re-absorbed (as they should be) to enable it to fall out. As soon as you can see that it won't be shed naturally (certainly by the time the 'new' tooth is longer than the milk tooth) get the vet to extract it to stop the adult teeth being forced into the wrong position, and potentially causing the dog great pain) by the presence in the gum of the root.
:)

Although I dreaded it I thought that would be the answer:0. I looked again this morning and they almost seem to be the same length so I guess I'll have to give the vet a call. I'm not looking forward to it as the last time she had anesthesia it took her overnight to recover but of course I don't want her in pain either.

Thanks for the info.

She may not need to anesthetic, one of mine had a retained one and the 2nd tooth was coming in, the vet pulled it is 2 seconds, she was none the wiser..

Pam

My dogs certainly needed anaesthetic - the root of the tooth was over one inch long!!

Gosh that was big poor thing, no wonder it would not come out itself..

Pam

That's the size all the roots are if they don't re-absorb naturally......

I have not dog dental knowledge but does that not depend on breed?

I think everyone is different also, hence the reason I said it. I had tooth ache a couple of weeks ago and I was convinced it was my wisdon tooth , it was bad tooth ache so the emergency dentish pulled it out for me basically on my request. I was in Sainsburys 30 mins later doing my shopping where I know my husband would be lying flat out LOL.

Pam :-)

I was astonished to see the size of the root, so I asked the vet about it, and was told that the root of the upper (milk) canine tooth is at least twice the length of the visible tooth. Normally the root will reabsorb, the tooth will become wobbly and fall out. If the root doesn't reabsorb, though, the tooth will stay put! If nothing is done the adult tooth will be forced into the wrong position, and can end up making a hole in the roof of the mouth (I've seen horrid photos in my 'vet book'!)
:)

Mine full of info youa re Jeanie..

Mind you when they do root canal treatment you think they are drilling to your toes LOL

I can just see all the dentist phobia readers cringing.

Pam

Thanks for that, Pam - on Thursday my dentist told me I need root canal treatment, and I've been trying not to think about it!!!!! :D

my lab has just had a baby tooth removed at nearly 8 months old
we took her in at 6 months but the vet said to give it a bit longer!!!

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know, I called the vet to ask and he said give it another month to see if they fall out. They look pretty sturdy to me but I'll wait and see. I have a feeling their going to have to be pulled thought.

Lorna

I'd give her a good, hard raw bone to chew on!! With a bit of luck, you won't need to see the Vet next month! ;)

I sure hope your right! I do give her greenies(bones) to chew and lots of other hard things and she works it but we'll have to wait and see........
Thanks

My breed also has problems with retained baby teeth, I agree with making sure you give her plenty of hard bones to chew on. Ours look as if they are stuck fast yet they eventually come out, if you look at the tooth near the gum line an indication that they are starting if the tooth starts looking 'pinky' rather than white, if this is the case wait on, I have had a puppy of 7mths only just loose them .Hope it goes ok