Has your dog had teeth removed? How old were they?

[Magicalbeaver]

Just curious. Wondering what the average age is for dogs to need their teeth removed due to rot? Is it an older dog thing or can it happen to young dogs too? I read a lot about dogs having bad teeth and needing teeth taking out.

(I do brush my dog's teeth, but just wondering).

My cockapoo had 12 out at 7 years, then she has just had 7 more out at almost 9. She has always struggled with terrible breath (or rather, we have struggled with her awful breath!). My lurcher (now 7) has never had any out, and his breath is fine. They eat the same food, and have the same teeth cleaning routine/dietary supplements. It’s very individual!

@YourSignalFadedIntoAnotherWorld can I ask experienced advice?

I’ve just noticed my dog has a front lower tooth just hanging by a thread.
He’s an old boy, and I wasn’t planning anything major in the way of treatment for him- just comfort.

Does he need a vet visit (hates it) and treatment, or can we let it fall out on its own? He’s 13.5. Lots of old man warts and fatty lumps.

He wouldn’t eat dental chews, tolerate teeth brushing etc. he’s a frenchie or Boston mix of some kind. Staffie smile, but slender and long legged.

He’s never really had his teeth inspected- he’s very resistant, clamps his lips shut and squirms. He’s always been a bit sensitive- throws up when stressed- so while we’ve tried to train him into letting us do the whole ear and teeth thing, we haven’t got far.

Yes, see if you can pull it out but.....have a look at the rest of his teeth because if he has other loose teeth or a build up of tartar, I would get him assessed for suitability for a general anaesthetic and clean/removals/whatever needs to be done.

Older dogs manage modern anaesthetics really well. It's not like the old days with thiopentone. A white knuckle ride for everyone. Induction with propofol and maintenance with isoflo is much easier on them (and the anaesthetists nerves).

It would be far better to give him something to calm him before he goes in, a nice premed (that will take the edge off further) anaesthetic and dental at this stage to set him up for his old age, than his immune system low grade fighting the bacteraemia he is subject to with a less than optimal mouth, or worse, being forced to do it when he is a couple of years older and it all really messing him up when, done earlier, might have allowed him to live to a riper old age.

The difference in dogs after a dental, even really radical dentals where I've had to extract virtually everything bar their canines, is amazing. people say they are like a puppy again.

I think they hide dental pain but by the time you can virtually pick them out with your fingers, the root has long time died. I think it's just getting rid of the build up of bacteria holding calculus that makes them feel so much better.

Tooth decay/bacteraemia is recognised as having a knock on to heart issues in old age. The same goes for us.

Their mouths heal up so well after a good clean and done now, it would probably see him out quite honestly so it would be a good investment in his health if he does have a tartar build up.

It's also recognised that some breeds don't really get dental problems. I had a Staffie cross lurcher. He cracked a tooth when he was six and I took that one out and gave the rest a bit of a clean. I had him PTS at the age of eleven and his teeth were in good nick, having had no other treatment. He never had chews or 'dentastix' or anything beyond his normal grub but some breeds just seem really prone to problems. (90% down to the amount and quality of the bone the teeth are in though).

Dental work in dogs is really underestimated as a means of improving their quality and length of life.

Our old Lab reached 13.5 when he died without any dental treatment whatsoever or any tooth brushing either.

We did used to give him hard things to chew on which apparently helps to remove plaque naturally but that's all.

Thank you @YourSignalFadedIntoAnotherWorld ! That’s a really helpful perspective. I’ll get him booked in. Poor old chap 🤣 He’s a nervy little thing.

Might be worth asking for a bit of valium for him.

As practices tend to do the clean ops first and the dental work last, he might not actually get his procedure until later in the day so it might be worth asking if you can drop him off a bit later. Some vets are accommodating to this sort of thing and some aren't but it might be a nicer day for him if they allow this. Some practices have a 'dental day' and fog the rooms afterwards or maybe a dedicated suite for the dirtier jobs.

I think you are doing the right thing. Good luck and give him a little kiss on his napper from me. I am dog free currently. Horrible state of affairs : ( I've taken to feeding two stray cats to get my fix!

No - he’s seven, nearly eight. I do get them brushed at the groomers every six months though plus he gets some kind of dental chew or raw carrot everyday.

Great question! Tooth removal isn’t just an “old dog” thing, though it is more common as dogs age. Smaller breeds especially can start having dental issues surprisingly young – sometimes by age 3 or 4 – because their teeth are crowded. Larger breeds often last longer before problems show up. Genetics, diet, and whether the teeth get brushed all play a big part. Since you’re brushing your dog’s teeth, you’re already ahead of the curve and helping prevent rot.

Dogs can need teeth removed at almost any age. While it’s most common in older dogs due to gum disease and wear, young dogs can also develop severe dental issues if they have poor genetics, crowded teeth, or untreated plaque build-up. Some small breeds are particularly prone to early tooth loss. Regular brushing and dental checks make a big difference, so your routine will help reduce the risk.

My nearly thirteen year old Stafford died with perfect teeth at nearly thirteen a few weeks ago.

My nearly fourteen year old Border Terrierist had five teeth removed yesterday (four lower - the "tennis ball teeth" and one upper). The vet recommended treatment since she's otherwise healthy (mild asymptomatic mitral valve disease picked up by murmur that doesn't yet require medication).

The anaesthetic slowed her down to the pace of a normal dog for one evening.

If she does a Matilda and drops down dead with a few days notice I'll be mightily annoyed after the vet bill 😬

They both had exactly the same treatment, food, but genetics is obviously huge.

@YourSignalFadedIntoAnotherWorld he's taken a turn for the worse unfortunately. When I took him for pre op, he’d been sick a lot so they did blood panel. Prescribed Omeprazole and an antiemetic injection. Elevated liver enzymes. Tummy felt fine.

Still not eating, lethargic. Threw up the chicken 12 hours after he ate it. He’s weeping ok. Not pooped because not eaten, presumably.
I’m away from home so having to talk DS1 through things. Not sure if we should drop everything and head back.

Other people- ask about your dog’s teeth on his annual check up. It wasn’t on my radar as something that could be a big issue. I feel awful.

Pedigree working lab, fed premium food, never given bones etc not that she was interested but ate a daily carrot - but smaller than usual, tight mouth formation, causing her to need four back teeth extracted at 6.
She was unbothered by the op, but had a horrendous reaction to the met-something or other medication given as part of the procedure and almost died.

Ahhh, I'll keep everything crossed for him. Good luck.

When my dog was about 11 the vet said he needed them cleaned and might need a couple removed. Got my 9 year old done too. The older one didn’t need any removed but they removed four from the nine year old. She’s 14 now and no more issues (I mean I didn’t know there were any issues beforehand either).

My eight year old working cocker spaniel has just had to have a few removed. He's a nightmare to brush his teeth though.

All of our big dogs (labs and GSD types) have never needed dental work. My little terrier cross rescue had to have a couple out aged 8/9.

Unfortunately we had to let him go. He wouldn’t have liked traipsing to the emergency vet to be put on a drip, possibly recovering and then having to have a dental. He wasn’t happy away from us. He was a bit of a mummy’s boy.

Aw I’m sorry, but I get why.

Sorry, I didn’t realise this was an old thread.

I'm so sorry you have lost your lovely boy.

You have made the right call. You know what they can and cannot deal with. It's lovely you were so in tune with him. He'll be there waiting for you.

the cost for my almost 13 year old is more than i can afford,
she has had some out already