How to protect your Yorkshire Terrier's mouth from caries? How to avoid frequent trips to canine dentistry? Why, in general, treat a dog’s teeth if they fall out on their own and are replaced by new ones, and does a Yorkie need surgery? Changing teeth in a Yorkshire Terrier, you will learn about this and much more in this article.
It's better to prevent than to treat later
Caring for the health of your pet is the goal that every attentive Yorkshire Terrier breeder sets for himself. Many dogs suffer from various ailments, including congenital ones, but Yorkies are an exception; they practically do not get sick.
The only aspect that requires constant monitoring by the terrier owner is the teeth. It is dental caries and plaque that provoke the buildup of tartar in dogs.
Only born puppies do not have teeth; gradually, by 2 weeks, the first milk teeth appear. First strong canines, then incisors and premolars.
In total, a Yorkshire Terrier will grow approximately 28 teeth. They look snow-white and beautiful, so in order to keep your Yorkie’s teeth in this condition, you need to keep them clean.
You need to brush your baby teeth once a week with a special brush and toothpaste; you can rinse your mouth with an infusion of herbs so that bacteria do not accumulate in it overnight.
Bad breath already indicates that microbes have accumulated there, which can also provoke the development of intestinal disorders. Therefore, brushing baby teeth should be a mandatory procedure for a dog. 
When your teeth change, you will need to brush them more often, at least 2-3 times a week. Do not forget that regular toothpaste can cause poisoning; use toothpaste and a brush purchased from a veterinary clinic.
Also buy special treats in the form of bones that help fight caries, plaque and tartar in the terrier. To prevent tartar, terriers should eat fruits, vegetables, cartilage, and crackers; all this will help get rid of plaque in a timely manner.
Basic questions about changing teeth
The main questions that Yorkie owners ask are how many months do teeth begin to fall out and new ones begin to grow, what to do if a molar rapidly grows in place of a lost milk tooth, when the tooth replacement ends, and how to act in emergency situations. 
Emergency situations include the owner’s lack of necessary knowledge or confusion at the sight of lost teeth and blood. Don't worry, you will know all this as soon as you read the tips and tricks. And if you are very worried, a dog dentist or veterinarian will answer them.
Every terrier breeder should know when the teeth change - at the age of 4-7 months, and gradually. It is not always possible to see a lost tooth, as the dog may lose it during a walk.
If you notice blood on toys, you should look into the dog’s mouth and monitor how they change. The first to fall out are the incisors and premolars, followed by the strong canines.
A total of 42 permanent teeth must grow. The lower jaw contains more teeth than the upper jaw. This is due to and is considered a defect by the presence of them in the lower jaw in smaller quantities.
Often teeth remain in place, but new ones do not change, but grow crooked nearby, then the help of a dentist is required. This applies not only to fangs, but to them in particular. In this case, York feels unwell, the gums may bleed and hurt.
Rough food, tomato juice and stringy meat will help you cope, but a trip to the dentist cannot be cancelled. When the dog is examined by a doctor, he will identify all the problems and decide what manipulations need to be carried out specifically for your dog.
York in dentistry
When you come to the dentist with your Yorkshire Terrier, ask what methods of pain relief the clinic uses. Most likely, he uses local anesthesia with an injection into the gum and general anesthesia. For a Yorkie, the first is preferable, but it is even better if you can avoid pain and remove the interfering baby tooth with a simple manipulation.
Yorkies usually tolerate a trip to the dentist well, trustingly allowing their mouths to be examined. Even the removal of tartar will be tolerated by these small animals; in modern conditions it is done using ultrasound and is almost painless. The effect of anesthesia is not always justified and can cause shock in the dog. 
If you are very afraid to go to the veterinary hospital, try to loosen the interfering teeth, but when the animal refuses to eat, it is better to visit a doctor. Moreover, if you are going to take part in exhibitions, then it is necessary to take care of even, white teeth!
Observe whether the Yorkshire Terrier's bite is correct; if it is scissor-shaped and the upper canines slightly overlap the lower ones, then everything is fine.
For most purebred dogs, requirements for the number of teeth and the shape of the bite occupy an important place in the assessment of the exterior. Therefore, if you are planning to raise a “ring star”, then you should familiarize yourself with the data and recommendations outlined below. Every owner knows that a dog's mouth contains 42 permanent teeth. 20 of them are in the upper jaw, 22 in the lower jaw. It is also well known that teeth are divided into incisors, canines, premolars and molars, and also that the absence of a small premolar can be allowed, but the absence of any other tooth cannot be allowed.
Yorkie puppies are born not only blind and deaf, but also toothless. Around days 12-16, their first baby teeth appear. The first to erupt are the fangs - 2 in each jaw. Behind them are the incisors and premolars. It often happens that premolars erupt earlier than the incisors or at the same time as them. There should be 6 incisors in each jaw; some features are observed in the premolars. P1 is absent in primary teeth. If it appears among baby teeth, this is a developmental defect and this means that the permanent tooth will no longer grow. The functions and shape of primary premolars are interesting. Since there are no molars yet, premolars perform their functions; In baby teeth, premolars are very important.
By 1-1.5 months (less often by 2), a complete “milk” set is formed in the puppy’s mouth, which consists of:
Upper jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; premolars 6; molars 0
Lower jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; premolars 6; molars 0
Total: 28 baby teeth
The change of teeth in a Yorkie occurs from 3-4 months and should end at 6-7. First of all, the incisors are replaced. The molar tooth germ, located under the root of the primary tooth, begins to grow. At this time, the root of the baby tooth dissolves, and accordingly its fixation weakens, it becomes mobile and soon falls out. It should be remembered that the growth of permanent teeth follows the path of least resistance. That is why they grow along the canal that appears after the loss of a baby tooth. This causes new teeth to take the place of their predecessors. Hence, there is a misconception that baby teeth do not have a root. There is a root, otherwise they would not be held in the jaw.
If the change of teeth does not go smoothly, and the root of the tooth does not dissolve, then it can be seen and its size can be judged when the veterinarian is forced to remove it. Irregular teeth have various causes, ranging from improper feeding to genetic reasons, and are a common cause of uneven teeth.
Large dogs are ahead of small ones in changing teeth. Weakness, illness of the puppy, as well as cropped ears delay both the change of teeth and their growth.
From what has been said, it is clear that during the period of changing teeth, they must be carefully monitored, and if it turns out that something is wrong, the necessary intervention must be performed. You should contact an experienced dog breeder or consult a veterinarian, or try to remove the tooth yourself, in less severe cases. Simultaneously with the replacement of milk teeth, those permanent teeth that do not grow into milk teeth erupt. These are molars and P1, which often appears even before the change of teeth. Roots usually grow without difficulty and unusually quickly. It has already been mentioned that in some breeds the absence of M3 in the lower jaw is acceptable. There are different opinions about this assumption. M3 in general is not a functional tooth, but it completes the arcade of the lower jaw and from an aesthetic point of view should be in its place (like a “wisdom” tooth in a person).
The final (permanent) kit consists of:
Upper jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; 8 premolars (2 small and 2 large (P4 is the largest tooth in the upper jaw) on each side); molars 2
Lower jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; 8 premolars (2 small and 2 large on each side); molars 3 Total: 42 permanent teeth.
Yorkshire Terriers are cute and unusual dogs. The breed was developed in the UK, they are considered a hunting breed, despite their one of the main problems of these dogs is their health.
They have long hair that grows throughout their lives and requires careful and frequent grooming.
The main problems are diseases of Yorkshire terriers: allergies, pancreatitis, musculoskeletal problems, painful replacement of baby teeth, eye diseases and problems of the reproductive system (more often in Yorkie girls).
With good care and constant monitoring of the pet's health, these dogs can live 14 – 16 years. Weight terrier should not exceed 3 kg, and if York refers to mini, then 2 kg.To provide your Yorkshire Terrier with a healthy and fulfilling life, you need to carefully weigh your options before you get a puppy.
Daily care of the Yorkshire Terrier
The dog needs to be examined carefully every day and in case of changes that raise questions for the owner or cause discomfort, when At the first sign of illness in your Yorkie, you should immediately consult a doctor:
- Every morning necessary rub your eyes York from the accumulated secretions with a cotton pad soaked in warm water, chamomile decoction or a weak tea solution.
- once a week - remove earwax with a cotton swab.
- If the terrier long her fur is brushed daily a slicker brush and a metal comb with long teeth to prevent tangles from forming, and if necessary. If the fur is short, then you can comb it with a massage brush.
- Bathe the dog needs once every 1.5 - 2 weeks in warm water. Use special shampoos suitable for this breed. The shampoo must be diluted in water, create foam and lather the dog from tail to head. Rinse off immediately, but from the head. After bathing, wrap the animal in a towel and lightly wring out the fur. Dry naturally or with a hairdryer, but warm, not hot!
- The dog's nose should be cold. The nose can only be hot and dry in the morning. There should be no snot or discharge from the nostrils.
- trim 2 – 3 times a month by 2 mm. For this, a special guillotine-type nail clipper is used. Sold in pet stores. Available for different sizes of dogs.
- Conduct Check your pet's jaw daily for plaque or tartar.. You need to buy a special toothpaste and a small toothbrush and brush your Yorkie's teeth 1-2 times a week. Or give special chewing bones to clean teeth from plaque.
Features of walking a dog
Yorkshire Terrier is different from other breeds with wool that does not cause allergies in humans, and lack of undercoat, which does not allow them to walk without in winter.
That's why this breed May be attributed to so-called indoor dogs. Puppies are trained to use the tray from the first months of life. 
Walk terrier In winter you need to wear overalls so that the pet does not freeze. In summer you can wear special cotton overalls.
Important! It is necessary to walk it, you cannot let it off the leash, since the Yorkie, which is bold and fearless by nature, may be in danger if there is a road and cars nearby, or if it gets lost.
After a walk, your four-legged friend needs to be washed. If not completely, then the paws, belly and face must be washed.
The most common genetic diseases of Yorkies
- Allergic reactions and dermatitis. They are expressed by the fact that the animal scratches itself, an increase in temperature occurs. An accurate diagnosis is made by a doctor, who also prescribes medications.
- The breed has a genetic predisposition to joint diseases.
- Dislocations in the kneecap area. Since the breed is very fragile, they should not be allowed to jump from high platforms.
- Inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms are vomiting, refusal to eat, lethargy and weakness. Treatment is prescribed after an accurate diagnosis.
- Eye diseases. In case of excessive tears or, on the contrary, dryness, you need to consult a specialist.
Vaccination of puppies
Vaccinations Yorkies - usually done to puppies at the age of 1.5 – 2 months- it depends on when the puppy stopped feeding his mother’s milk. If it continues, then you should wait a while with vaccination.
Second once vaccinated in 2 or 4 weeks. A third The vaccination is given closer to the time when the Yorkie will be one year old, and all baby teeth will be replaced.
Two weeks before vaccination, the pet is given anthelmintic drugs, and after vaccination it is not advisable to go out for a walk for 2 weeks or a month.
Adult terriers are vaccinated once a year.
Important! Vaccination is done only if the animal is completely healthy. If your pet is sick, postpone vaccination until complete recovery.
Actions in case of illness
We have no doubt that Yorkies are very active dogs full of enthusiasm. Like many purebred dogs, Yorkshire Terriers have a predisposition to developing certain disorders and health problems. Below in this article we will look at the most common diseases and tell you what to do.
Changing teeth in a Yorkshire Terrier
A puppy's baby teeth begin to change at 4 months. It is important to ensure that there is no growth of a new tooth on the baby tooth. The process of changing teeth ends at 10 months or a year.
Advice! It is important to examine your pet's mouth every day, and if the gums are red or there is heavy plaque, go to the canine dentist.
What to do after removing tartar?
If the dog has tartar(its indicators are plaque on the teeth, inflammation of the gums, bad breath), then it is necessary delete. After this York Wash the mouth with antiseptics for 5 days.
A veterinary dentist can professionally clean your pet's teeth (if necessary) and provide necessary advice on how to maintain canine oral hygiene.
Yorkie has diarrhea, what to do?
If the dog I had diarrhea, then it is impossible to determine the reasons independently. Need to give the dog clean water and activated charcoal(1/3 or ½ tablet, you can crush it).
Give only dry, changing it every 5 hours. You can also drink strong tea.
But at the first opportunity take to the veterinarian or call a doctor at home(if such a service exists).
Actions in case of vomiting
Vomit Yorkie may have caused by overeating poisoning or dangerous diseases. If your pet overeats or eats too fatty food, then for several days keep him on a diet.
If in vomiting does not stop within 24 hours; doctor's help is required.
Important! Vomiting with foam is a dangerous situation that can be fatal. The animal must be taken to the veterinarian without delay.
Eye diseases
Owners often complain that Yorkie's eyes are streaming.
This breed is susceptible two options eye diseases – lack of tears or their abundance.
Worth paying special pay attention to your pet's eyes– there should be no wet paths or cloudy looks.
Yorkie castration and care after surgery 
Most often, problems arise in female Yorkies when they are in heat, but owners are in no hurry to get puppies.
Inflammation of the dog’s uterus and ovaries begins due to hormonal imbalance, which requires immediate surgical intervention.
After Yorkshire terrier castration(sterilization), the animal should not be disturbed, let him rest for 1.5 - 2 days.
Sleep and rest are the key to a quick recovery. To prevent the dog from scratching the stitches, a blanket is put on it.
Important! The animal should eat after it recovers from anesthesia. If the terrier does not eat within 24 hours after surgery, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Visiting a veterinarian
You should visit the veterinarian for a preventive examination 2 times a year.
After visiting a veterinarian, many pet owners are left with a lot of questions regarding their pet’s problem. Sometimes treatment failure is not due to the complexity of the case, but to a lack of information. To increase efficiency and avoid possible problems with incorrect treatment, we offer you a number of tips on how to properly use the services of a veterinarian.
Important! If you find that the animal is not feeling well and decide to take it to the clinic, take the time to remember carefully when and how it all started. Make a “medical history.” Along the way, try to provide the animal with maximum comfort, and most importantly, stress it as little as possible.
At the appointment, describe your animal’s condition before the disease in as much detail and as clearly as possible.
After visiting your doctor, you should receive a clearly formulated preliminary diagnosis. It is better if the preliminary (or final) diagnosis, along with the prescriptions, are written down on paper, along with the name of the doctor who performed the examination.
Taking vitamins
Vitamins for Yorkies are assigned, after examination by a doctor and receipt of test results.
You should not engage in amateur activities and buy vitamins that your dog does not need.
It is worth noting that about genetic diseases, to which the puppy is located, It's worth asking the breeder.
A healthy Yorkie is active and carefree.
Advice! If within 24 hours you observe a sharp change in behavior or see specific symptoms (discharge, refusal to eat), then you need to contact a veterinarian without independently diagnosing the dog and incompetent treatment.
Useful video
Video about diseases and prevention of Yorkie care:
If you decide to get a pet and the choice falls on one of the representatives of the elegant Yorkshire terrier breed, first of all you should pay attention to the features of caring for it.
For example, the replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones - rarely do owners ask questions related to this stage of animal development.
In this regard, the dog breed in question is one of the most problematic, since teeth are the weak point of the Yorkshire Terrier and they require special care.
During the period of teeth change, puppies usually experience a sharp decline in mood, the reason for this is severe itching and pain in the gums.
At these moments, the baby should be given maximum attention, as he feels extremely helpless and vulnerable. Here, compliance with the veterinarian’s recommendations received during this period is also of great importance.
Not everyone knows how many teeth there are in the mouth of their beloved pet. The oral cavity contains 28 baby teeth, which appear two weeks after birth and begin to gradually fall out at the age of four months.
Then the molars begin to grow: first the incisors change, and then the fangs change. There is a misconception that baby teeth have no roots..
There are roots, otherwise how would they stay on the jaw? During the growth of permanent teeth, milk teeth begin to dissolve, their fixation weakens, and therefore, over time, they fall out.
The process of loss of a puppy’s baby teeth (especially the incisors) goes almost unnoticed. The teeth are so small that it is quite difficult to notice them.
Most of the teeth that fall out are swallowed by babies while eating, and this is normal; there is no reason to worry in this situation.
Changing teeth is a natural process that will have to be faced one way or another.
When changing incisors, there are usually no special problems, but the canines are worth paying attention to. If the teeth have not fallen out before eight months, it is imperative to contact a veterinarian and have them removed.
These measures are necessary in order not to disrupt the correct bite of the pet. All dog shows have specific requirements for bite form.
A scissor bite is considered normal (the upper canines cover the lower ones, but do not touch each other). Before this age, the Yorkshire Terrier must undergo a complete change of teeth, and their number should be 42 (incisors, canines, premolars and molars).
During the period of changing teeth, sometimes an unpleasant odor can be heard from the dog’s mouth. It is formed due to food particles that get stuck between teeth located in one place.
In this case, there is no need to worry, just look into the puppy’s mouth and look at the condition of the teeth.
To do this, you should purchase a special toothpaste from a veterinary pharmacy. It would be even better to have your pet’s teeth cleaned several times a month by specialists in a veterinary clinic or special salons.
Chewing bones, which can be purchased at any veterinary store, are very helpful in cleaning Yorkie teeth.
Types of malocclusion
- Misaligned bite. It is formed when one half of the jaw grows faster than the other. Can be corrected by removing the crown.
- Snack. If the upper jaw is shorter than the lower jaw. In this case, the crown is removed and the pulp is closed.
- Underbite. If the lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw. The adjustment is made using the same method as in the case of a snack.
- Posterior crossbite. When the upper 4th premolar is located on the inside of the lower 1st molar. As a rule, there is no need for treatment, since the teeth function normally in this position.
- Anterior crossbite. If the upper incisors are located behind the lower ones. This position of the teeth can be corrected using orthodontic appliances.
Photo gallery
When you think about getting a Yorkie puppy, go to the nursery just to look at them, most likely you will return there a second time, but not to look at it, but to take it home. Before going to the nursery, we suggest you look at their photos below.
For most purebred dogs, the requirements for the number of teeth and the shape of the bite traditionally occupy the most important place in the assessment of the exterior. Therefore, if you are planning to raise a “ring star”, then you should familiarize yourself with the data and recommendations outlined below. Nowadays, almost every owner knows that a dog’s mouth contains 42 permanent teeth. Twenty of them are in the upper jaw, 22 in the lower jaw. It is also well known that teeth are divided into incisors, canines, premolars and molars, and also that the absence of a small premolar can be allowed, but the absence of any other tooth cannot be allowed.
Yorkie puppies are not only born blind and deaf, but also adorably toothless. Around days 12-16, their first baby teeth appear. The first to erupt are the fangs - 2 in each jaw. Behind them are the incisors and premolars. It often happens that premolars erupt earlier than the incisors or at the same time as them. There should be 6 incisors in each jaw; some features are observed in the premolars. P1 is absent in primary teeth. If it appears among baby teeth, this is a developmental defect and this means that the permanent tooth will no longer grow. The functions and shape of primary premolars are interesting. Since there are no molars yet, premolars perform their functions; In baby teeth, premolars are very important.
By 1-1.5 months (less often by 2), a complete “milk” set is formed in the puppy’s mouth, which consists of:
Upper jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; premolars 6; molars 0
Lower jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; premolars 6; molars 0
Total: 28 baby teeth
Sometimes the number of baby teeth can fluctuate both up and down. For example, from time to time DOGS have only 5 primary incisors, but this does not mean that the dog will certainly grow up with incomplete teeth. On the other hand, the activation, and even more so the acquisition of such puppies for the purpose of further showing (EXPLANATION - THIS APPLIES TO WORKING AND HUNTING DOGS) in the rings should be done with great caution. It is best to wait until the incisal row is changed and make sure it is complete.
Changing teeth in a Yorkshire Terrier
The change of teeth in a Yorkie occurs from 3-4 months and should end at 6-7. First of all, the incisors are replaced. The molar tooth germ, located under the root of the primary tooth, begins to grow. At this time, the root of the baby tooth dissolves, and accordingly its fixation weakens, it becomes mobile and soon falls out. It should be remembered that the growth of permanent teeth follows the path of least resistance. This is why they grow along the canal that appears after the loss of a baby tooth. This leads to the fact that new teeth take the place of their predecessors. Hence, there is a misconception that baby teeth do not have a root. There is a root, otherwise they would not be held in the jaw.
If the change of teeth does not go smoothly, and the root of the tooth does not dissolve, then it can be seen and its size can be judged when the veterinarian is forced to remove it. Irregular teeth have various causes, ranging from improper feeding to genetic reasons, and are a common cause of uneven teeth.
Large dogs are ahead of small ones in changing teeth. Weakness, illness of the puppy, as well as cropped ears delay both the change of teeth and their growth.
From what has been said, it is clear that during the period of changing teeth, they must be carefully monitored, and if it turns out that something is wrong, the necessary intervention must be performed. You should contact an experienced dog breeder or consult a veterinarian, or try to remove the tooth yourself, in less severe cases. Simultaneously with the replacement of milk teeth, those permanent teeth that do not grow into milk teeth erupt. These are molars and P1, which often appears even before the change of teeth. Roots usually grow without difficulty and unusually quickly. It has already been mentioned that in some breeds the absence of M3 in the lower jaw is acceptable. There are different opinions about this assumption. M3 in general is not a functional tooth, but it completes the arcade of the lower jaw and, from an aesthetic point of view, should be in its place (like a “wisdom” tooth in a person).
The final (permanent) kit consists of:
Upper jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; 8 premolars (2 small and 2 large (P4 is the largest tooth in the upper jaw) on each side); molars 2
Lower jaw: 6 incisors; 2 fangs; 8 premolars (2 small and 2 large on each side); molars 3 Total: 42 permanent teeth.
Yorkies overbite
A dog's normal bite is described as a scissor bite, with the upper canines slightly covering the lower ones. The lower canines should fit into the interdental space between the upper outer incisor and the upper canine, but the surfaces of the teeth should not touch.
Normally, the correct bite is already formed in a one-month-old puppy, but sometimes there are dogs whose lower jaw is a little “light” and a small, so-called “baby underbite” or “deep bite” is formed. As you grow, especially during the period of changing teeth, this deficiency corrects itself on its own. It is very important that the gap between the incisors of the upper and lower jaw does not exceed 1-3 mm, otherwise the shape of the bite is unlikely to be corrected!
Basic malocclusions
SNACK: The incisors of the lower jaw are in front of the incisors of the upper jaw ("bulldog jaw").
UNDERBITE: Significant gap between the upper and lower incisors.
In some cases, retarded growth of the lower jaw may lead to the need to remove both primary and permanent canines of the lower jaw. Otherwise, they rest against the palate or gums and injure them. After removal of the fangs, the dog can lead a full life and eat any food without restrictions.
Similar problems arise with a normal bite, but an excessively narrow lower jaw. In this situation, it is also recommended to remove the lower canines in order to prevent the formation of fistulas and inflammation of the palate and gums. There is also another form of overbite found in dogs, which doctors and geneticists consider as “compensated underbite”, and experts in the rings consider “the norm”. It is characterized by some lightening and shortening of the lower jaw in combination with an alveolar inclination of the incisors and partially canines. It is most often observed in dogs with excessively “sharp” forceps. According to the observations of many experts, for Italian Greyhounds, where “sharpness” is a breed characteristic, such a bite is indeed the norm.
Typically, dogs' incisors grow perpendicular to the jaw (vertically); with alveolar inclination, they move horizontally (see figure). As a result, the bite, at first glance, seems almost normal, but the lower jaw is clearly “small”, and the dog’s teeth are arranged in a “fan”. The danger of this examination approach is that dogs that carry a shortened lower jaw in their genotype are allowed for breeding. And if their descendants simultaneously inherit this shape and size of the jaw and the vertical position of the incisors, then the underbite will no longer be compensated, but real.
Orthodontic pathology in dogs and its treatment
Although only 10% of dental disease in dogs is due to orthodontics, treatment methods are largely similar to those for similar conditions in humans. But dogs take these conditions no less seriously. Lost baby teeth: One of the most common conditions. Lost baby teeth are common in small breed dogs. This occurs when the molar does not grow directly under the primary tooth and does not provide adequate buoyant pressure on it. As a result, we see two teeth where there should be one. Treatment is the removal of a baby tooth when the molar has already erupted. Small spacing between lower canines: This condition can occur when the molars are cut from the inside of the primary canines, causing the molars to tilt inward. Orthodontists can correct this problem. A genetically narrow jaw can also provoke such a pathology. Correction uses a device to guide the teeth into the correct position. Another treatment option is crown removal and pulp capping, in which the top portion of the tooth is removed and the remaining portion is capped.
OVERBITE: When the halves of the jaw grow at different rates, dogs develop a misaligned bite, which is treated by removing the crown.
SNACK: When the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. Normal in breeds such as Bulldogs and Lhasa Apsos, the condition is sometimes temporary in some other breeds. When diagnosed early, removing baby teeth removes dental locking and allows the jaws to move. In dogs with molars, crown removal and pulp capping are used to relieve discomfort.
UNDERBITE: When the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. This condition can be corrected in the same way as snacking. Malpositioned upper canines: This condition occurs in Shetland Sheepdogs when the upper canines point forward. The cause is missing deciduous fangs or heredity. This is corrected by tooth extraction, crown removal and pulp capping or orthodontic bands. Crowded and/or splayed teeth: common in small breed dogs, especially short-faced or broad-headed dogs (brachiocephalians). Crowded or loosened teeth are usually not treated orthodontically. This condition has the potential to cause periodontal disease, so tooth extraction is often indicated.
POSTERIOR CROSS BITE: Often found in collies when the upper fourth premolar is on the inside of the lower first molar. Treatment is usually not required as the teeth function normally in their new position, although extraction may be indicated to improve the overall periodontal picture.
ANTERIOR CROSSBITE: When the upper incisors stand behind the lower incisors, forming “reverse scissors.” If the cause of this condition is a dental problem (not genetic), then orthodontic appliances can correct the bite.
If after changing teeth the underbite remains, then most likely it will last a lifetime, and perhaps it will increase, although occasionally there are cases of a decrease in the overbite.
With a snack, you can forget about a show career, but a small snack does not interfere with life, but if the snack is so large that it prevents the dog from eating normally, then you will have to have surgery or contact an orthodontist to correct the bite.
Predicting bite in puppies
I’m revealing another kind of secret (I just remembered now), not related to generally known information. Knowing this can save you some problems in the future, especially if you are choosing a puppy for show or breeding. The data was obtained from an orthodontist who has long been involved in correcting bites not only in people, but also in dogs, and has been tested by life.
The matter concerns, in fact, predicting the future bite of a puppy, until his milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones (age approximately 1-3 months). Particular attention should be paid to the position of the lower canine relative to the upper canine and the margin (outer incisor). If the lower canine comes into contact with the incisor, then there is a very high probability of overbite. If it goes into the upper gum (the tip of the fang, piercing the upper gum, should be broken off - any dentist can do this) or comes into contact with the upper canine, then an underbite is possible. Do not neglect to examine the teeth on both sides of the jaw - teeth may be placed one way on one side and another on the other. It’s very good if you at least know approximately what dangers puppies of a given breed and from these parents can face (for example, snacking is not uncommon among cockers), this can be taken into account during the examination.
In addition to these data, I also came across recommendations to examine the “bite” of puppies immediately after birth (immediately or in the first days). We are talking, of course, not about the position of the teeth, but about the position of the jaws - the lower relative to the upper where the incisors will grow in the future. True, I myself have never used this method - I don’t really believe in it, and it’s difficult to examine the teeth of such small puppies - they squeak, struggle, the mouth is small, the lips fit tightly and it’s difficult to pull them back... Although in At this age, you can see a clear overshot or a clear undershot - even a blind person will notice. For example, the lower lip sticks out like a roller, sometimes the inner side of the lip is even exposed (with the jaws closed)... This is an obvious undershot.
Another option is that the Canadians described a different method. It seems to me that it can be combined with the one I wrote about at the beginning (about fangs). In this case, the incisors look about a month old or a little later. Deciduous incisors are tiny, individual, rarely standing teeth. With a normal bite in an adult dog, the back surface of the upper incisors is in contact with the front surface of the lower ones. If they come into contact like this in small puppies, then there is a high probability of a snack. Firstly, permanent incisors are “thicker” than baby incisors, if you look at the incisor in profile; secondly, puppies grow unevenly (that is, the proportions of different parts of the body are different at different stages of growth) and the lower jaw usually lags slightly behind the upper - precisely for this reason For this reason, almost always (!) a tight or straight bite (both baby teeth and the permanent teeth that have already replaced them) smoothly transitions to an overbite after changing canines. With the correct position of the incisors in a one-month-old puppy, there should be a gap between the upper line of the incisors and the lower one, that is, the line of the incisors on the lower jaw should be slightly (for Airedales - a couple of millimeters) “lag behind” the line of the upper jaw.
All of the above, of course, applies to dogs for which the standard provides for a scissor bite and for those in whom a scissor bite is desirable, but a straight bite is also acceptable.
Tartar located on a tooth attracts attention due to its brown color and in simple cases, especially in young dogs, can be easily removed mechanically using a scanner. Tartar located under the gums is invisible, but it irritates the gums, supports the growth of bacteria and inflammatory processes, and is one of the main causes of periodontal inflammation. Periodontal disease is a systemic periodontal disease that occurs as a result of disturbances in endocrine regulation and local blood circulation.
Clinically manifested by bad breath, exposure of the necks of the teeth and their mobility, which subsequently leads to the loss of the dental bed of all teeth. Inflammatory complications with the formation of purulent gum pockets are common. The disease leads to rapid tooth loss. Just like tartar, periodontal disease is associated with genetically determined disorders of salt metabolism. It is more often observed in dogs of small breeds and is familial in nature, i.e., a hereditary predisposition. The basis for the prevention of periodontal diseases is oral hygiene. From an early age, it is necessary to train your puppy to show his teeth. Carry out hygienic teeth cleaning at least once a week. It is best to use a toothbrush for small dogs or a gauze pad soaked in a solution of baking soda (one teaspoon per glass of boiled water) or a solution of Yo-dinol (can be bought at a pharmacy).
The use of specialized toothpastes for dogs seems doubtful to me. In dogs older than one year, especially with the active formation of tartar and signs of gum inflammation, you can additionally use Metrogil-denta gel or Hexoral spray once every two weeks (apply to the gums after brushing your teeth). Tartar must be removed. In young dogs, this procedure should be performed at least once a year. For dogs over three years old, this should be done every six months (these recommendations are general in nature and may change on a case-by-case basis). Sanitation of the oral cavity in the absence of inflammation of the gums and periodontium, as well as in the case of slight deposition of tartar, can be carried out mechanically using instruments, otherwise only with the help of an ultrasonic unit. Ultrasonic sanitation is gentler on the animal and more effective, since the stone is removed not only from under the gums, but also from the inner surface of the teeth. As for any nutritional recommendations, in my practice there is the same percentage of dogs with periodontal disease, regardless of the type of feeding, industrial or natural, which once again confirms the hereditary factor.
Although, one can assume that dry food mechanically cleans teeth and massages gums. But owners who use dry food need to be reminded that it is balanced not only in nutrients, but also in vitamins, macro- and microelements. Therefore, dry food must be given strictly in doses (not to exceed the daily amount specified by the manufacturer).
Owners who give their pets natural products need to constantly use vitamins in their diet. As for water, you can use regular city tap water that has been left standing for 24 hours. In suburban conditions, if the degree of water purification is insufficient, it is better to use bottled drinking water. Mineral water cannot be used.
1. Pay attention to the condition of the teeth of the parents of your future puppy.
2. Dogs weighing less than 2.5 kg are much more likely to suffer from periodontal disease.
3. From an early age, teach your puppy to perform oral hygiene procedures.