Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Persistent baby teeth in purebred dogs linked to breed and size
By Wallis, C et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2024·Waltham Petcare Science Institute, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Persistent deciduous teeth: Association of prevalence with breed, breed size and body weight in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 7% of dogs have persistent baby teeth that don't fall out as they should, which can lead to dental problems like misaligned bites and gum disease. Smaller breeds, especially those weighing less than 14 pounds, were more likely to have these teeth, with a prevalence of 15%. Dogs that hadn't had a dental cleaning in over two years or were on certain wellness plans were also more likely to have persistent teeth. Regular vet check-ups are crucial for spotting and treating these issues early to prevent further dental complications.
People also search for: why does my dog have baby teeth · dog dental cleaning importance · small breed dental problems
Abstract
Dogs use their teeth for a multitude of tasks and, as such, it is vital for their health and wellbeing that their oral health is maintained. Persistent deciduous teeth (PDT), those that fail to fall out at the appropriate time, are associated with malocclusion (misaligned bite), soft tissue trauma and increased risk of periodontal disease. The objective of the current study was to perform a retrospective analysis of veterinary medical data to understand the effect of dog breed size, dog breed and body weight on prevalence of PDT. Medical records collected from almost 3 million dogs visiting a chain of veterinary hospitals across the United States over a 5-year period showed an overall prevalence of 7% for PDT, the data represented 60 breeds with extra-small breeds (<6.5 kg) showing significantly higher prevalence (15%) than all other breed sizes (P < 0.001). Statistical modelling of extra-small, small and medium-small breed sizes showed that those on Wellness Plans or that had not received a dental prophylaxis for at least two years had significantly increased odds of PDT being detected (Odds ratio 2.72-3.2 and 2.17-3.36 respectively, P < 0.0001). Dogs with a below ideal body condition score had a decreased odds of PDT (Odds ratio 0.57-0.89, P < 0.0001) whereas those above ideal had an increased odds (Odds ratio 1.11-1.60, P < 0.0001). The findings from this extensive dataset highlight the importance of regular veterinarian examinations to identify and remove PDT, helping to avoid increasing the risk of associated issues such as periodontal disease and malocclusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38309195/