Have you noticed your Dachshund has a double tooth? Are you wondering why this has happened and if it needs to be extracted? Here’s everything you need to know about your Dachshund’s double tooth!
Why Does My Dachshund Have A Double Tooth? A double tooth occurs when your Dachshund’s baby tooth doesn’t fall out as the adult tooth grows in. Unfortunately, a double tooth can cause dental problems so will need to be extracted by your vet, unless it falls out on its own using dog chew toys.
Read on to find out why your Dachshund has developed a double tooth, if it causes any longterm damage, and what you can do to remedy it.
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This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
What Is A Double Tooth In Dachshunds?
Your Dachshund may end up having a double tooth if his baby tooth doesn’t fall out when his new adult tooth grows in.
This will mean your Dachshund has two teeth in one spot of his mouth! This phenomenon is known as a ‘double tooth’.
Usually, your Dachshund’s baby teeth will fall out when teething and before his adult teeth grow in. But sometimes, the baby teeth can stay in place after the adult teeth come through.
Interestingly, double teeth do seem to be quite common in Dachshunds!
Why Does My Dachshund Have A Double Tooth?
A double tooth develops when your Dachshund’s baby tooth root keeps holding on even after the adult tooth grows in. The baby tooth is known as the ‘retained’ tooth.
Normally, a baby tooth root will be resorbed when the adult tooth is growing. Meaning it’s broken down and absorbed by the body.
When the root is resorbed, the baby tooth attached will simply fall out safely while your Dachshund is teething.
However, sometimes the baby tooth root does not get resorbed. This basically means it’s not broken down and absorbed by the body as it normally would be.
This could happen when the adult tooth doesn’t push enough on the baby tooth root.
If the baby tooth root is not resorbed, this means the baby tooth will remain attached!
This leads to two teeth, the retained tooth and the adult tooth, being in a very similar spot in your Dachshund’s mouth.
You may have noticed the double tooth when you lifted up the skin around your Dachshund’s mouth to check his gums – they’re quite easy to spot!
What Happens If My Dachshund Has A Double Tooth?
A double tooth can cause difficulties for your Dachshund if left there too long. When your Dachshund has a double tooth, there are a few issues which may arise:
Misalignment
If the retained tooth remains in your Dachshund’s mouth, this means he doesn’t have enough space for his adult tooth!
Your Dachshund’s adult teeth can end up being pushed into uncomfortable positions in his mouth. This may be painful for your Dachshund and that’s why it needs to be looked at by your vet.
Misalignment can lead to malocclusion, a condition meaning that your Dachshund’s bite is not in the correct position. This can be problematic for his jaw and tongue too.
Premature tooth loss
The pressure on your Dachshund’s teeth as a result of misalignment can also lead to premature tooth loss.
Dental issues for Dachshunds can be expensive, so it’s best to speak with your vet as soon as you notice the the double tooth and before any dental problems arise.
Infections and cavities
The double tooth can also lead to more food and dirt being trapped in your Dachshund’s mouth.
This could cause dental issues like tooth infections and cavities.
How Do I Treat My Dachshund’s Double Tooth?
To prevent any dental problems from occurring as a result of your Dachshund’s double tooth, you need to speak with your vet to get the tooth removed.
At around six months, you may start to think that the double tooth isn’t going to fall out by itself. That baby tooth root is hanging in there!
However, some Dachshund’s still have a double tooth at 9-12 months. It does happen! But, for the most part, you’ll know at around 6 months whether you need to get the tooth extracted or not.
With a retained tooth, it’s unlikely that the tooth is going to fall out using dog chew toys to wiggle it out. However, some people do use this method and it works for them so may be worth a try.
You will need to speak with your vet though. So, as soon as you notice the double tooth, make an appointment to get it examined and find out when you can get it removed.
Don’t leave it too long to contact your vet either. The longer you leave a retained baby tooth, the more dental issues it could cause for your Dachshund.
So, there you have it! Dachshunds get double teeth when their baby tooth roots don’t get resorbed, meaning the baby tooth doesn’t fall out. You can try giving your Dachshund dog chew toys to loosen the baby tooth, but it’s best to speak with your vet to get it removed and keep your Dachshund’s dental hygiene in check!
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