Yorkies, like all dogs, have baby teeth that eventually fall out. These deciduous teeth, also referred to as milk teeth, begin to appear when the Yorkie puppy is around three to four weeks old. They will continue to erupt until the puppy is about eight weeks old, and by the time they are six months old, all of the deciduous teeth should have fallen out.
However, in some cases, the baby teeth do not naturally shed and are retained in the mouth, causing what is known as retained deciduous teeth. This can occur for various reasons, such as the adult teeth growing in an abnormal position or the roots of the baby teeth not resorbing properly.
Retained deciduous teeth can cause problems for the Yorkie as they grow older. The presence of baby teeth can lead to overcrowding in the mouth, misalignment of the adult teeth, and even dental issues such as tooth decay or gum disease. Additionally, retained deciduous teeth can cause discomfort and pain for the dog.
It is important to monitor the growth and development of your Yorkie’s teeth and seek veterinary attention if you suspect any issues with retained deciduous teeth. Your veterinarian can perform a dental examination and determine if any baby teeth need to be extracted.
In some cases, the retained deciduous teeth may need to be manually extracted by a veterinarian. This is typically done under anesthesia to ensure the dog’s comfort and safety during the procedure.
Personal experiences may vary, but as a responsible Yorkie owner, I have had to deal with retained deciduous teeth in one of my puppies. I noticed that her adult teeth were growing in crookedly, and upon further examination, the veterinarian identified several retained baby teeth. The veterinarian recommended extracting the retained teeth to avoid further dental issues. The procedure was performed smoothly, and my puppy recovered well.
Yorkies, like all dogs, have baby teeth that should naturally fall out by the time they are six months old. However, in some cases, these deciduous teeth may be retained, causing potential dental problems. It is important to monitor your Yorkie’s teeth and seek veterinary attention if you suspect any issues with retained deciduous teeth.