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Dental Care

Pug Teeth and Dental Care

Overview

Whether you have a puppy, an adult, or a senior, there are some fundamentals to know regarding your Pug's teeth. Puppies go through a somewhat intense teething phase, adults need to have their teeth kept clean to avoid common dental issues seen with brachycephalic breeds, and seniors may be dealing with age-related dental problems. 

This section will cover some of the most commonly asked questions, as well as cover the important aspects of proper dental care. 

FAQ About a Pug's Teeth

Are puppies born with teeth? No, newborns are born without teeth. But, the first set of teeth (milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth) come in at the 6 to 8-week mark. So, by the time a Pug puppy goes to their new home, those teeth are typically in place. 
What age does a Pug puppy start teething? The teething phase, when the 28 deciduous teeth fall out and are replaced by 42 adult teeth starts around the 4-month mark and generally ends by the 9-month mark. But, Pugs can start a bit sooner and/or finish a bit later. This will be a time of intense itching and strong chewing urges, so there are some things you'll want to do when a Pug puppy is teething including proofing the house and offering a good supply of good chew toys. 
What happens if a puppy swallows a milk tooth? If a tooth falls out while a pup is eating or drinking, it very well may be swallowed. Because it is so tiny, this generally does not cause a problem. It passes through the body and comes out with the stools. 
What happens if an adult tooth starts coming in before a milk tooth falls out? This is not that uncommon with brachycephalic breeds. In most cases, it is best to have the veterinarian take a look. There may be a need for the milk tooth to be removed so that the adult tooth can slide into its correct place. If not, there may be alignment issues. The removal of a milk tooth is a rather simple process since it is tiny and the roots are very shallow. 
Are Pugs prone to dental issues? Yes, both toy-sized breeds and brachycephalic breeds are prone to dental issues, so it's not uncommon for Pugs to be susceptible to tooth decay and other related problems. This is due mainly to 42 adult teeth fitting into a compressed jawbone as opposed to many other breeds in which those 42 teeth fit into a much more extended space. 
When teeth are crammed together in this way, with little room between them, this can make them more prone to the development of plaque. In addition, cleaning that plaque off can be more difficult. For this reason, Pug owners are encouraged to make at-home dental care a top priority. 
Another problem sometimes seen with brachycephalic breeds like the Pug involves overcrowding. This can lead to more brittle teeth and breakage. A veterinarian can detect overcrowding early, as deciduous give way to the adult set. In some cases, molars may need to be removed to keep middle and front teeth from slanting. 
Is it normal for a Pug to lose an adult tooth? It is not normal, per say, in the fact that it's hoped a dog's adult teeth will stay in place for their lifetime. However, it is not uncommon for senior dogs to have some tooth loss. This is by and large preventable with routine dental hygiene at home and dental exams and cleanings by the veterinarian. 
What type of bite set does a Pug have? Per AKC breed standards, a Pug’s bite set should be very slightly undershot, meaning that the lower jaw extends out slightly more than the upper jaw. This said, some Pugs have more pronounced underbites and some have a more level bite meaning that the upper incisors and lower incisors meet edge to edge.

It should be noted that the bite set you see with a puppy may change as the dog matures. Many Pugs are born with a level bite and the underbite develops as the dog grows. Since the lower jaw often continues to grow after the upper jaw has reached it development, a noticeable underbite during the early puppy phase should be watched.

With Pugs, a very pronounced underbite should be routinely assessed by the veterinarian since any sort of misalignment, also known as malocclusion, can affect chewing or lead to issues with jaw discomfort.

If your Pug does not have the classic slight undershot, there is no reason to be overly concerned unless you were planning on using your Pug in a breeding program. Since a dog's bite set is a genetic trait, a faulty bite would be passed down to future litters. 

At Home Dental Care for a Pug

At-home dental care and professional care (as needed), is vital for all dogs. Every second, around-the-clock, plaque is being produced. It is a clear, sticky substance that clings to teeth. It is not fully removed from chewing on toys or treats. Within 3 days, it starts to harden into tartar (also referred to as calculus), which is much more difficult to remove. 

As these substances grip a dog’s teeth, they eat away at the enamel. Tartar can also travel under the gum line where it damages teeth, unseen. This often leads to tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease), periodontal disease, and eventual tooth loss. There can also be tooth infection(s), an infection that travels up into the sinuses, and the risk of full-body sepsis which can be fatal. As you can imagine, halitosis (bad breath) is common as well. 
#1: If you are not sure if your Pug's teeth are without issues, schedule a veterinary exam. 
It is important to rule out current decay, infection, periodontal disease and other issues that cannot be resolved with at-home care. The veterinarian will take an x-ray, examine the teeth and any current issues will be treated. Note that this may involve a ‘full dental’, which requires sedation (more info ahead on this). Then, you can implement an at-home program of proper dental hygiene to help prevent future issues. 
#2: Brush the teeth.
Brushing is one of the most effective methods to remove plaque, keep the teeth clean, and prevent bad breath. Not all dogs sit nice and still for this; however, it is worth an effort since a dog can certainly become accustomed to this. Some learn to enjoy the massaging aspects of this and/or start to like the taste of the canine toothpaste. 
Here are some tips:
  • Use an appropriately sized canine toothbrush. Most are sized for dogs in general so those designed for puppies are typically best for Pugs 10 lbs. and under. And, an adult-sized brush will often be best for those over 10 lbs. 
  • Brushes with 3 sides can be helpful since these cover the top and sides of the teeth all at once compared to a flat brush that only scrubs one surface. 
  • A finger-brush can be used to help a dog get used to having his teeth touched or be used in place of a brush. This is a small, rubber-tipped doodad that slips over your pointer finger. 
  • Never use human toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains fluoride which is toxic to canines, possibly contains xylitol which is toxic to canines, and has foaming agents which can make a dog choke. 
  • Opt for a canine paste that is flavored to encourage tolerance to brushings; vanilla or chicken are good choices. 
  • Brush for a good 2 to 3 minutes, once per day. If you want to do it twice, that’s all the better. 
  • While it is perfectly safe for a dog to swallow quality canine paste, you may wish to wipe excess paste away with a clean piece of gauze.
If you'd like to start brushing your Pug's teeth, the Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Triple Action Dental Kit is a nice set that contains both a 3-sided brush and a tube of effective paste. 
#3: Use a supplement.
There are different types of dental supplement products for dogs, with most either marketed as a replacement for brushing or to be used in conjunction with it. Some may also help prevent bad breath, but this is often due to a reduction of plaque and not as an actual equivalent of human breath mints. Dental aids such as this include sprays, liquid supplements added to a dog's water, wipes, and powders that are added to food. 
If your Pug does not tolerate having their teeth brushed or if you wish to add on to the current dental hygiene plan that you have for your puppy or dog, you may want to consider Premium Pet Dental Spray by Pets Are Kids Too. This is both a spray and a water supplement. It is meant to be sprayed on the teeth each day; two to three sprays on the teeth and gums of each side. It can also be added to a dog's water with 1 spray mixed into each 1 cup of water. 
#4: Offer a daily dental treat. 
Regardless of whether you brush or not, how often you do it, and if you use a supplement or not, it can be very beneficial to offer a dental chew. This are edible chews designed to loosen and remove plaque as they are being gnawed on. They are very hard, by design, so all Pugs should be supervised when given these. 
While these do not usually have a whole lot of nutritional value, they usually do contain a moderate amount of calories, so it is best to offer one a day in place of one of a Pug's regular dry snack. 
One of the most popular choices is Greenies Dental Chews which offers several different sizes based on a dog's weight, grain-free options, and flavor options including blueberry. 

Bringing Your Pug for Professional Cleanings

Even with stringent at-home cleanings and care, many dogs need professional cleanings every 1 to 3 years. And, for those that had a lack of dental care in the past, this is a ‘must’. 

When a complete examination and cleaning is performed by the veterinarian, this is typically referred to as a ‘full dental’ and is usually done with a dog under light sedation. Pre-screening is done to ensure that a dog is healthy enough for anesthesia.

The entire dental treatment generally includes x-rays to assess both teeth and bones, a rinse to kill bacteria in the mouth, a dental probe to measure pockets between teeth and gums, scaling of teeth (usually with an ultrasonic scaler) to remove tartar both above and below the gum line, and teeth polishing. A plaque-guard agent may be applied.

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