Teeth may appear missing in dogs for multiple reasons. Here are some important points to consider:

Causes of Missing Teeth in Dogs:

Advanced Periodontal Disease: This is a serious gum infection that can lead to tooth loss. It occurs when the initial stage of gum disease (gingivitis) is left untreated, causing damage to the supportive tissues that support teeth. If not addressed, this can result in tooth loss.
Embedded Teeth: This refers to teeth that are unable to erupt into their normal position in the mouth, remaining trapped beneath the gums or jawbone. This can occur with any tooth, but most commonly occurs with the first mandibular premolar. Impacted teeth can lead to various oral problems, including cyst formation, infection, and misalignment of other teeth.
Fractured Teeth: Some teeth may break at or below the gum line. Over time, gum tissue can grow over the crown/root remnants, causing it to appear that the tooth is missing.
Avulsion: This occurs when a tooth is completely displaced from its socket due to trauma.
Tooth Agenesis: This means that a tooth was never formed. Some dogs may be born with missing teeth due to developmental problems during gestation.

Treatment for Missing Teeth:

Not all missing teeth require treatment. In certain cases, such as fractured or embedded teeth, extraction may be required.

If you suspect that your dog is missing teeth or not developing them correctly, call our office to schedule an oral exam today!

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/6/2025). Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash