Why Are My Pug’s Teeth Falling Out?!

Are your pug’s teeth falling out? It is normal for a pug pup to lose their baby teeth, and it is not uncommon for adult pugs to lose teeth, particularly if they are senior dogs. But this can be prevented with some good at-home oral care, as well as care from your vet.

Adult pugs are prone to dental problems because they have many teeth crammed into one little mouth. It is not uncommon for these dogs to end up with rotten teeth that need to be extracted by a vet. The main culprit for tooth loss is plaque build-up that can lead to decay.

Let’s take a look at the topic of what is normal and what is not when it comes to pug teeth: why your pug’s teeth may be falling out, and how to take care of your pug’s teeth.

How Many Teeth Do Pugs Have?

When a baby pug is born, they have no teeth at all. However, by the time the pup reaches the six to eight-week age mark, their milk teeth will have started to come in. These baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth – because they do fall out and are supposed to fall out.

Related Reading: Do Pugs Have Underbites? – Dental Issues In Pugs

The Teething Pug Puppy

Teething refers to the physical process of losing baby teeth to make room for the permanent adult teeth that are coming through. Pug babies go through an intense phase when they are teething. So by the time you get your pug baby home, they will have these milk teeth, of which there are 28.

Pug Teeth At Four Months Old

This is the age when puppies lose their baby teeth, which are replaced with 42 adult teeth. This process can take up to five months. By the age of nine months, your pug pup should have all its grown-up, permanent teeth.

Your pug pup will experience the urge to chew, so make sure you have lots of good quality, safe, and non-toxic teething toys on hand. 

Why Are My Pug’s Teeth Falling Out?

Whilst losing teeth is normal for pug pups, it is not normal for adult pugs. So if your big pug has lost a tooth then something is going on. 

Pugs are fairly prone to plaque and tooth decay because many adult teeth are squeezed into a relatively small size. 

The overcrowding of teeth can result in them becoming brittle, and breaking. A vet will pick up on this early and may suggest removing some of your pug’s molars to stop the front and middle teeth from becoming crooked. 

Senior Pugs

It is not uncommon for senior dogs to lose the odd tooth, or for a tooth to chip or break.

Pug Dental Care At Home

It is advisable to get into a good dental care routine for your pug at home, to help prevent tooth decay and subsequent tooth loss. 

Plaque

Plaque that is left untreated will develop into tartar that is hard to remove. Tartar strips the enamel from your dog’s teeth, and can also penetrate the gum line and damage the hidden part of the tooth. This leads to decay, gum disease, possible infection, and tooth loss.

Brushing Your Pug’s Teeth

At home, you can take a daily role in helping to protect your pug’s teeth. This starts with brushing their teeth every day.

Dogs may find this a bit weird so try to get them used to it from a young age. Ensure you use a small toothbrush for their small mouths and one that is three-sided.

Toothpaste for Dogs

NEVER use human toothpaste to brush a dog’s teeth as fluoride and baking soda in it can make a dog ill. 

There are dog toothpaste brands on the market that are much more palatable to dogs and thus encourage them to allow you to brush your teeth each day. Opt for chicken flavored toothpaste. Daily tooth brushing also keeps bad breath (called ‘halitosis’) at bay.

Dental Treats

You can also buy dog treats that are designed for the dog to eat; the shape of the treats is usually ridged and therefore will rub away some of the plaque from their teeth. You can give these once per day as long as they do not lead to weight gain.

Raw Food

If you do not wish to give your dog this type of processed food treat, consider giving them a large raw bone with meat and cartilage still attached. The gnawing process will clean your dog’s teeth, just as it would have done in nature when dogs werewolves!

Professional Pug Dental Care

Your vet will most likely advise that your pug have their teeth professionally cleaned by them once a year.

Pug Tooth Loss: Conclusion

Pugs, like all pups, are born with no teeth. This is because they do not need teeth to drink milk!

By the age of 8 weeks, they should have their deciduous, or baby teeth so that they can eat solid foods. These 24 teeth will fall out by the time your pug is around 9 months of age, a process that usually starts at 4 months of age.

Pugs have 42 adult teeth. They have a small mouth compared to other dog breeds, yet still, have the same number of teeth. Vets will be able to tell if future overcrowding is going to be a problem and may advise the removal of some teeth to avoid overcrowding.

Like humans, dogs get plaque buildup on their teeth which, if not cleaned away regularly, can lead to tartar, decay, tooth loss, and infection and disease of the tooth and gums.

Daily brushing at home with a toothbrush and toothpaste made just for dogs can go a long way in protecting your dog’s teeth.

Similarly, a once-yearly professional clean at your local vet clinic can help your pug keep their teeth well into their senior years.

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